A comparative profile of Imperial College London, University College London (‘UCL’), King’s College London (‘KCL’), The London School of Economics and Political Science (‘LSE’) and Queen Mary University of London (‘QMUL’).

Written by Caroline Hopkinson-Woolley

London Calling?

Back in 1979, iconic punk band The Clash gave the world London Calling.  It’s lost nothing over the years but today, more than ever, it’s also worth recalling the words of Dr Samuel Johnson, genius behind the first comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language.  He put things slightly differently when he declared, some two centuries earlier, “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.        

You get the message.  Bright lights attract bright minds.  The UK’s capital, Europe’s third largest city by population, boasts no fewer than 4 universities classed among the world’s top 50.  This city of nearly 10 million, home to some 270 different nationalities, between them speaking approximately 300 languages, has the UK’s largest student population.  Still, it’s no mean feat to be crowned top student city in the world according to the most recent QS World University Rankings*.  London’s quarter of a million undergraduates enjoy an area twice as big as New York City and 15 times bigger than Paris but almost half of which is designated ‘green space’.  Life in the metropolis doesn’t come cheap - student living costs are appreciably higher than in the rest of the UK** - but London truly has it all.        

With over 120,000 students, the University of London (‘UL’) is one of the largest in the UK.  In practice, it’s a federal or ‘umbrella’ university.  United under one banner in 1836, its 17 member institutions vary in size, the larger colleges being self-governing universities in their own right while some of the smaller ones - the Royal Academy of Music and Courtauld Institute of Art, for example - pursue narrow specialisms.  All, however, share some central facilities (such as the impressive Senate House Library) and an overarching identity (students chosen to represent UL in sporting competition are awarded a ‘Purple’) not to mention a global reputation for innovation and achievement. 

With almost 1000 undergraduate courses available, the choice can seem dizzying.  UpGrade has, therefore, taken a closer look at five of the best universities in London (including two former UL members) by reference not only to their latest QS Rankings but also their reputation among current undergraduates:

IMPERIAL COLLEGE

Rank:  3rd in the UK, 7th in the world (and, by aggregate measures, in world top 10 for Medicine)

Imperial became independent from UL in 2007.  It is the only UK university with an exclusive focus on STEM - Science (including Medicine), Technology, Engineering, Maths - plus another M for Management 

Approximately 20,000 students from over 140 countries.

Main campus and majority of students are still located in leafy South Kensington where the college was founded in 1907.   Close to the historic Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums, Imperial is also just a few minutes south of Hyde Park which, at 350 acres, is the largest of London’s central Royal Parks. 

Guaranteed, nearby accommodation for all first years.  State of the art sports centre including 25m swimming pool on site.  Excellent student newspaper ‘Felix’.

Reputation:  scientifically, at the cutting edge.  The academically outstanding and academically focussed will be in their element.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (‘UCL’)

Rank:  4th in the UK, 8th= in the world

Famously presided over by the spirit (and preserved corpse!) of philosopher Jeremy Bentham, so-called father of Utilitarianism (in a nutshell, the greatest happiness for the greatest number), UCL boasts its reputation for “disruptive thinking”.  In practice, it was the first university to admit women on equal terms and to offer places regardless of religion or social status.  It offers over 400 undergraduate degree courses, in all fields of study.   

Over 42,000 students from over 150 countries.

Architecturally distinguished, compact campus in Bloomsbury, central London, minutes away from the British Museum and British Library. 

Guaranteed accommodation, mostly nearby, for all first years.  Gym on site.  Sports grounds in Hertfordshire.

Reputation:  academically and culturally vibrant atmosphere.  Room for everyone but fantastic opportunities for the self-confident. 

KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON (‘KCL’)

Rank:  7th in the UK, 35th in the world

KCL is one of UL’s two original colleges.  It incorporates several much older institutions including St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School (dating back to the 16th century) and the world’s first professional school of nursing, founded by Florence Nightingale in 1860.  It offers over 180 undergraduate courses, in all fields of study.  Although there’s a balance between humanities and sciences, medicine, nursing and allied disciplines remain important.

Nearly 30,000 students from over 150 countries.

Spread conveniently between 4 central campuses, either side of the Thames and within sight of Parliament, plus one south of the river at Denmrk Hill in the London Borough of Southwark. 

Guaranteed accommodation, in 9 undergraduate halls of residence, for all first years.  Three gyms (KCL takes great pride in its sporting alumni, who include ‘fastest woman in Britain’ Dina Asher-Smith and Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, Dame Katherine Grainger) alongside  numerous thriving student societies for all tastes.

Reputation:  academically distinguished, KCL is an energetic, sociable community with a well-balanced identity. 

THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE (‘LSE’)

Rank:  8th in the UK, 49th in the world (and 2nd in world by QS subject rankings)

LSE became independent from UL in 2006.  It claims to be the world’s leading social science institution.  Founded in 1895 by members of the left-wing Fabian Society, including public intellectual and playwright George Bernard Shaw, its motto translates as ‘to know the causes of things’.  Its purpose was and remains ‘for the betterment of society’.  It currently offers 41 undergraduate courses with a strong emphasis on economics, international relations and related fields such as law and geography.

Nearly 12,000 students from over 140 countries (UK:Overseas ratio is almost exactly 50:50)

LSE has a single, central campus between the Royal Courts of Justice, Westminster and Covent Garden. Compact but all facilities (especially its world-leading social sciences library) are well-resourced and up to date. 

LSE does not guarantee accommodation but has over 4000 rooms available in its own halls, University of London intercollegiate halls and in private halls.  These are located no more than 4km from campus.  There are fitness suites and a gym on campus and sports grounds in Surrey, less than 30 minutes away by train.

Reputation:  LSE always was and still is a place for movers and shakers.  Focussed but buzzy, it attracts those who want to make a difference on the world stage. 

QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (‘QMUL’)

Rank:  14th in the UK, 117th in the world (but 5th in the UK for quality of research output)

QMUL dates back to 1785 and the establishment of England’s first official medical school at The London Hospital although it also incorporates St Bartholomew’s Hospital, founded in 1123.  Established to proved ‘hope and opportunity’ to under-represented members of society and the less privileged, it has the highest proportion of state-educated and ‘first generation’  undergraduates among the 24 Russell Group universities.  It offers 139 undergraduate courses across all areas but enjoys particular strength in Medicine, Dentistry, all types of Linguistics, Film Studies and Drama.

Over 31,000 students from over 170 countries

QMUL’s Mile End ‘green’ campus is based along the Regent’s Canal but close to the City and East End.  Unique among London’s universities, it has a truly self-contained feel.  Medicine and Dentistry are based in Whitechapel.

Guaranteed self-catering accommodation for all first-years on or close to campus.  Excellent on-site facilities, including a gym, encourage real sense of community.

Reputation:  genuinely inclusive, QMUL has a progressive reputation.  A great education and environment awaits friendly forward-thinkers.

*QS World University Rankings measure over 1300 institutions worldwide against key criteria including academic reputation, employer reputation, teaching quality and research output.  Globally respected, and referenced by all the above-mentioned universities.

**UCL suggests that living costs can, currently, average approximately £11,500 for students living in halls (for 39 weeks of the academic year) and up to £14,500 for those living in privately rented accommodation (on a 52-week contract).