Top Universities in London for International Students

Why study in London?

London is the UK’s capital and one of the world’s biggest student cities, with dozens of universities and colleges, world-class museums, and huge job markets in finance, technology, law, media and the creative industries.

London is home to 9 of the universities in our Top 50 UK list for international students, so you can choose between different teaching styles, campus types and fee levels in the same city.

Top universities in London for international students

• Imperial College London — QS 2026: #2. Imperial focuses entirely on science, engineering, medicine and business, and is ranked #2 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• UCL (University College London) — QS 2026: #9. Founded in 1826, UCL was the first university in England to admit students regardless of religion and one of the first to welcome women on equal terms.
• King's College London — QS 2026: #31. Founded in 1829, King's College London is one of the founding colleges of the University of London.
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) — QS 2026: #56. Founded in 1895, LSE specialises in the social sciences, including economics, politics, law, finance and international relations.
• Queen Mary University of London — QS 2026: #110. Queen Mary University of London traces its history to 1887 and has one of the largest self-contained residential campuses in London at Mile End.
• Brunel University of London — QS 2026: #385. Brunel received its Royal Charter in 1966 and is named after the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
• City St George's, University of London — QS 2026: #310. City St George's was formed in 2024 when City, University of London merged with St George's, University of London.
• SOAS University of London. Founded in 1916, SOAS specialises in the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
• University of the Arts London. University of the Arts London brings together six famous colleges: Camberwell, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon.

Compare universities in London

This table compares the universities on this page by ranking, approximate international tuition fee, intakes and typical English requirement. Fees and requirements change every year and vary by course, so confirm the latest figures on each official website.

Entry requirements to study in London

• Undergraduate: good Class 12 / high-school results (top universities expect very high grades), or an international foundation year. Applications go through UCAS.
• Postgraduate: a relevant bachelor’s degree — leading universities usually expect the equivalent of a UK 2:1, while many others consider around 55–60% from recognised Indian universities.
• English: usually IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 overall depending on the university and course; PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and English waivers are accepted by many universities.
• Documents: passport, transcripts, statement of purpose, references, CV, and a portfolio for creative courses.

Cost of studying and living in London

International tuition at the universities listed here ranges from about £19,000 to £50,000+ per year, depending on the university and course. Business and humanities courses are usually cheaper than laboratory, engineering, MBA and medical courses.

London is the most expensive UK city for students, so many students choose shared accommodation or university halls a little further from the centre and use a student Oyster card for cheaper travel.

Intakes and application deadlines

September/October is the main intake. Several universities on this page also offer a January intake for selected postgraduate courses. For most other undergraduate courses the UCAS equal-consideration deadline is in late January, while postgraduate applications are usually open on a rolling basis. Apply 8–12 months ahead for the best chance of offers and scholarships.

Work while you study and after graduation

Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time in official vacations, and London offers part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, campus roles and internships. After graduation, the Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work in the UK — currently two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates (reducing to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.

Student life in London

Universities here have active students’ unions with hundreds of clubs and societies, including Indian and international student societies. England’s excellent rail network makes weekend trips easy.

How GIEC Global helps you study in London

GIEC Global’s UK counsellors help you shortlist the right universities in London, check eligibility, write a strong SOP, apply for scholarships, prepare for credibility interviews and complete your Student visa application — free of cost.