London is the city with the maximum number of universities in the UK. The academic hotspot welcomes more than 111,000 overseas students. 5 universities in London are consistently ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world. The average annual tuition fee for overseas students in London is roughly around £15,000 (~15.25 lakh INR). Students aiming for universities in London should budget £1,100-1,300 (~1.11-1.32 lakh INR) as the cost of living in UK for a month.
For admission to the universities in London, international students require satisfactory academic scores with university specific competitive GPA. Prospective students need standardized test scores, including English proficiency test scores for admission to the universities in London. Supporting documents required for applying to the top universities in UK includes personal statement, academic and professional LOR (course specific requirement), proof of financial availability, and immigration documents. Some institutes might require a resume, portfolio and interview for admission.
Despite the high expense, London has been named the greatest student city in the world for the second year in a row in the QS Best Student Cities rating. Students at the universities in London can avail several scholarships in the UK to meet their expenses. Various part-time jobs in UK are also available for international students who choose to study in London. So, if you're considering studying at one of the top universities in London, check out the following details about admission.
Rankings of the Universities in London
Here are the top ten universities in London, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022.
| Institution | QS World University Rankings, 2022 | QS London Rankings, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 7 | 1 |
| University College London(UCL) | 8 | 2 |
| King’s College London | 35 | 3 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science(LSE) | 49 | 4 |
| Queen Mary University of London | 117 | 5 |
| City, University of London | 330 | 6 |
| Birkbeck University of London | 332 | 7 |
| Royal Holloway University of London | 334 | 8 |
| Brunel University | 351 | 9 |
| SOAS University of London | 391 | 10 |
Why Study in the Universities in London
Given the fact that London is a fantastic city to study abroad, here are some significant reasons to study in London.
- Academic excellence, world-class infrastructure, and incredible job prospects make the region a fantastic place to begin your education and career.
- There are 17 universities in London, featured in the QS World University Rankings, 2 of which are in the top ten internationally.
- Imperial College London, University College London, King's College London, and other famous institutions are located throughout the city.
- More than 111,000 international students travel from all around the world to study in London, which has over 40 educational institutions.
- London is unrivalled when it comes to seeing the world's top archives, museums, and science collections. The greatest of them, fortunately, are all free, making it even easier to take advantage of the incredible options right outside your door.
- 75% of Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in London, as are the world's major electronics, media, and financial industries. The city offers a wider range of professional prospects.
- In addition to approximately 1,000 museums and galleries, the city has around 120 public libraries.
- London's universities offer over 30,000 degrees ranging from accounting to engineering.
In the universities in London, a variety of prestigious programs are taught at various academic levels. Some of the most in-demand courses in London are:
| Disciplines | Popular Programs | Top Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Business Studies | MBA, MSc International Management, MSc Economics & Strategy for Business | Imperial College London, University College London, London Business School |
| Computer Science and Software | BSc Computer Science, MSc Computer Science, MSc Software Engineering | Imperial College London, University College London, King’s College London |
| Finance | MSc Finance, MSc Financial Planning, MSc Financial Risk Management | The London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London |
| Law | LLB, LLM, LLM Corporate Laws | The London School of Economics and Politics Science, University College London, King’s College London |
| Marketing | MSc Marketing & Strategy, MSc Business with Marketing, BA Business(Marketing) | The London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, King’s College London |
Intakes at Universities in London
Universities in the United Kingdom have an academic calendar that runs from September to July. Universities and colleges in London accept students in three intakes between these dates.
| Intake | Starts From | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | September | September-December |
| Winter | January | January-April |
| Summer/Spring | May | May-August |
It can be challenging to figure out which intake is best for you. Consider the availability of your desired programme, your academic records, admission test scores, acceptance rates, job prospects, and your readiness to begin the programme while making your decision.
The Admissions Process at London Universities
To gain admission to the city's top colleges, it is necessary to understand the admissions process and eligibility criteria. Each university's admissions procedure differs, however, the following are the most frequent requirements for studying in London.
- A minimum academic record of 65% or higher in class XII, will also be required.
- The postgraduate study requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 60% in related courses.
- MBA students must have at least three years of managerial experience.
- International students must meet a minimum English language requirement for each subject.
Documents Required:
- Official academic transcripts and grade cards
- Passport size photos
- Photocopy of a passport
- Student visa
- LOR (based on program)
- Portfolio of CV/resume updates
- English proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and C1 Advanced or others
- For master's programmes, the GMAT/ GRE is required
- Personal statements(based on program)
- Work experience (for postgraduate and PhD research)
- Research proposal SOP (for PG Research).
How to Apply to Universities in London
The UCAS application portal or the university's official website can be used to submit applications to London universities. The UCAS application portal allows you to choose up to five different courses at different universities in an admission cycle. Following is a step by step representation of the application process to the universities in London.
- Choose a course: The first stage in the application process is to narrow down your options for courses and colleges based on your academic background and preferences.
- Check your entry requirements: Check the minimum entrance requirements and eligibility criteria of the selected universities.
- Take entrance tests: International students are required to submit entrance test results such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or GRE/ GMAT/ LNAT/ BMAT/ MAT for admissions into London universities. Students may also be required to submit SAT or ACT scores at various universities.
- Application deadlines: Be aware of the application dates for the universities and institutions in London to which you plan to apply. Students from other countries should begin the application process as soon as possible (one year to 6 months before the actual deadline) to get sufficient time.
- Arrange your documents: The last but one stage is to arrange all the necessary documents required during the application process. You can find out the exact necessary documents by visiting the university’s official website.
- Submit the application: After making all the necessary arrangements now you can submit your application through the UCAS application portal or the university’s official website.
Application Deadlines
The below table shows the application deadlines for top universities of London for 2022 intake.
| University | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 26 January 2022 |
| University College London(UCL) | 26 January 2022 |
| King’s College London | 26 January 2022 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science(LSE) | Rolling admissions |
| Queen Mary University of London | November |
| City, University of London | 26 January 2022 |
Top Universities in London for Bachelors
Want to pursue a bachelor’s in London? Here are some of the top universities in London for bachelors in 2022 are as follows:
| University | Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| University of London | BSc in Accounting & Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, International Relations, Psychology, LLB |
| University of Westminster | Accounting, Animation, Applied Biomedical Science, Architecture, Biochemistry, Biological Science, Business Management, Computer Science, etc |
| Imperial College London | Biochemistry, Aeronautics, Business, Accounting, Management, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, etc |
| Queen’s Mary University of London | Accountancy, Finance, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, Economics, Politics, Film Studies, Law etc |
| King’s College London | BEng, LLB, BSc Political Economy, Chemistry, Dental Therapy, Psychology, Sport & Exercise, Social Science etc |
| UCL | Architecture, Biological & Life Science, CSE, Law, Media, Physical Sciences |
Top Universities in London for Masters
Some of the top universities in London for masters in 2022 are listed below:
| University | Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| University of London | MSc, MA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip |
| University of Westminster | Air Transport, Applied Biotechnology, Architecture, Art & Visual Culture, Audio Production etc |
| Brunel University | MSc in Advanced Engineering, Digital Design & Branding, Environmental Management, LLM, Structural Engineering, Water Engineering, MBA etc |
| UCL | March, Arts, MBA, Clinical Dentistry, MFA, LLM, MLA, MPA, MSc, MS EMPA |
| Imperial College London | Aeronautics, Bioengineering, Business¸ Chemical Engineering, Civil & Environmental, Life Science, Engineering etc |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science | MA/MSc in Accounting, Finance, Applied Science, Data Science, Economics, Management, Finance, LLM |
Top Universities in London for MBA
Here are some of the top universities in London for MBA programs:
| University/ Institute | Admission Requirements | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College Business School | Undergraduate degree from a recognised university – often a UK Second Class Honours or the international equivalent | 24 January 2022 |
| London Business School | Undergraduate degree from a recognised university | 25 March 2022 |
| Bayes Business School | A decent university degree (second-class honours degree (2:1) or higher) is required. or a valid professional certification A minimum of three years of full-time professional experience post-graduation | 13 February 2022 |
| Westminster Business School | A second-class honours degree (2:1) in any discipline. | 26 November 2021 |
| Kingston Business School, London | A bachelor's degree or a professional body's recognized equivalent | Mach 2022 |
MBA in Universities in London Without GMAT
Prospective students may not want to take the GMAT/ GRE or find them tough. However, a few institutes in London provide admissions without GMAT or GRE scores. A list of business schools in the London Metro area that do not require the GMAT or GRE is provided below.
- Henley Business School – University of Reading
- Hult International Business School, London
- Said Business School – University of Oxford.
Top Universities in London for PhD
Here are some of the top universities in London for PhD according to the QS World Rankings:
| University | Top Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| Birkbeck, University of London | Communication, Philosophy, Psychosocial Studies, Art, Geography, Environment, History etc |
| Queen Mary University of London | Business & Management, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Comparative Literature, Chemical Sciences |
| Brunel University of London | Health Science, Psychology, Structural Integrity, Environment & Health, English, Computer Engineering, Education, |
| Goldsmiths, University of London | Visual Anthropology, Media & Communications, History, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Sociology, Management, Politics, Arts etc |
Affordable Universities in London
For international students, London is recognised as one of the top cities in the world. While it is no secret that London has a high cost of living, any of these London cheap colleges can give you a high-quality education at a low cost.
| University | Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
| University of East London | 14.92 lakh |
| University of West London | 15.41 lakh |
| London Metropolitan University | 15.66 lakh |
| Coventry University London | 15.94 lakh |
| Middlesex University London | 16.52 lakh |
| University of London | 17.19 lakh |
| University of Greenwich | 17.85 lakh |
| University of Westminster | 17.85 lakh |
| London South Bank University | 17.83 lakh |
| Ravensbourne University London | 18.37 lakh |
| Staffordshire University | 15.71 lakh |
| Teesside University | 14.7 lakh |
Application Requirements for the Top Universities in London
While the application requirements differ for every university, here are some of the common entry requirements of top universities in London. Students are recommended to visit the program’s official website to know more about the required documents.
| Requirements | Academic qualification | ELP Scores | SOP/LOR’s | Interview | GRE/GMAT | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | High school | IELTS – 6.5 TOEFL - 92 | Both SOP and LOR required | Required (based on program) | GMAT score required (for MBA) | Required |
| Queen Mary University of London | Completed Standard XII examinations with 60% or higher | IELTS – 6.5 TOEFL - 79 | Required | Based on program | Required | Based on programs |
| University of London | Passed year XII with 70% or above | IELTS-6 TOEFL-87 | Required | - | - | - |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science | Meet general requirements of University of London | IELTS-6 TOEFL-87 | Required | Based on program | Required | Based on program |
Cost of Study at Universities in London
Majority of Indian and international students are concerned about the cost of studying in UK. The good news is that, if correctly handled, living expenses for international students in London can be quite affordable.
| Expenses | Cost in GBP |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | £22,000 - £40,000 |
| Accommodation | £874/month |
| Household bills | £40 - £50 |
| Food | £259/month |
| Travel | £114/month |
| Personal and Leisure | £183/month |
Scholarships for Indian Students at Universities in London
UK scholarships for international students are available as government scholarships and non-government scholarships. Here are some of the international student scholarships available to study.
Government Scholarships
For international students, the British government offers two big scholarship programs.
- Chevening scholarship - A Chevening scholarship is usually given for a one-year Master's program at a UK university, but it can also be given for other postgraduate programs.
- Commonwealth scholarship - Commonwealth Scholarships are typically awarded for these courses.
Courses taught by a Master's degree holder or equivalent: Doctoral degrees lasting 3-4 years to complete.
British Council Scholarships in the United Kingdom
International students interested in pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in the United Kingdom can apply for British Council IELTS Award scholarship. This is a partial scholarship that ranges from £3,000 to £10,000.
Kingston University, London Scholarships
Foreign students who want to study at Kingston University London as an undergraduate or postgraduate can apply for a scholarship through the university's International Office. This is a partial scholarship of £4,000.
University of Westminster International Scholarships
The University of Westminster offers scholarships to international students interested in pursuing a Master's degree in the United Kingdom. This scholarship will pay for their tuition, housing, living expenses, and flights to and from London.
Brunel University MBA Scholarships
Scholarships are available for international students studying for an MBA at the University of Brunel in London. The total value of these scholarships is £6,420, and they are partial awards.
Universities in London Placements
On average, a person working in London makes around 86,400 GBP each year. The highest average salary of the graduates from universities in London is 386,000 GBP per annum. Following are the salaries of London employees working across popular jobs in UK:
| Job title | Salary Range in GBP |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Finance | 37,000-129,000 |
| Architect | 42,200-95,400 |
| Banking | 29,800-148,000 |
| Construction | 35,400-139,000 |
| Engineering | 77,900-80,300 |
| Health and Medical | 62,700-195,000 |
| Information Technology | 73,200-134,000 |
| Teaching/Education | 55,200-67,600 |
London, being the capital of England, manifests a cultural, historical, and academic significance. From a technical perspective, companies like Deloitte, Accenture, Amazon, PwC, EY, IBM, KPMG, McDonald's and many more have their base and wing in London making it a rich destination for employment. With huge salaries offered after studies and luxurious lifestyle opportunities, the Universities in London are some of the most sought-after institutes to pursue higher education for international students.
Comments