The 10 Best Universities in London for International Students
Coming up: nightlife, campuses, unusual courses, housing hacks, life admin, finding an apartment without endless hassle, and the 10 best universities in London for international students.
London is among the world’s best cities for international students. One of the most well-known places on the planet, it offers world-class nightlife, a young population, lots of fun, endless things to do, and some of the best universities on the planet (many of the city’s universities frequently rank among the world’s top 10 and top 100!).
Get this: the city has around 40 universities (which is approximately 25% of all universities in the UK!).
The city is also a very international place. More than 300 languages are spoken here, over 40% of its residents were born abroad, and around one-third of the UK’s international students are found in London.
So: move here to study, and you’re making a good choice.
But… which are the top universities in London? Which are the most fun? Which offer the best education? Which are most central? And how can I quickly and easily find a nice place to live?
Coming up, we’ve covered all that and more: today, Homelike are bringing you the 10 best universities in London for international students!
Imperial College London
Official site: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/
Sitting just to the west of London’s very center, Imperial College London calls itself a “world-leading university for science, technology, engineering, medicine and business.”
Regularly ranking as one of the best universities on the planet, it came 8th globally in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
Founded in 1907, it enrolls around 20,000 students each year, and the acceptance rate sits at around 14%. They have some of the planet’s best lecturers, along with cutting-edge equipment and research, innovative teaching methods, and serious students.
Imperial College London is notorious for high workload and tough lessons, but that’s to be expected somewhere this prestigious. The social life isn’t quite as good as the social life you get at a more relaxed university, but you should still make plenty of friends (and you’re still in central London!).
It’s located in South Kensington, one of London’s fanciest and most upmarket areas.
Because it’s VERY international, it’s of course one of the best universities in London for international students. On a typical year, around 50%(!) of all students are from outside the UK.
Overall: if you’re serious about your studies, this is the place for you. If you’re more concerned with having fun, getting social, and exploring London, you might want to study somewhere a little more laid-back.
University College London (UCL)
Official site: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/
Ranking 22nd in the same study we mentioned above (and therefore the 22nd-best university in the world!), University College London welcomes around 40,000 new students every year.
Similar to Imperial College London, the students here are very hardworking, and spend more time studying than socializing.
The research facilities are some of the best in the world, while—just like in Imperial College London!—around 50% of all students here are non-natives. Again, this makes it one of the top universities in London for international students.
Sitting in the very-central district of Bloomsbury, University College London is a great option for people who want to live centrally. And it offers an unusual mix of students, tourists, and lifelong locals.
Although it’s a campus university, it still very much feels like part of the city. So you won’t feel contained or secluded; you’ll feel like you’re truly living in London.
King's College London
Official site: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/
Offering over 180 courses, the iconic King’s College London specializes in humanities, law, medicine, and biology.
Ranked 38th worldwide in the same study we keep mentioning (we’ll stop mentioning that study soon, we promise!), it has five campuses around London. Four of those campuses are very central, while the other lies in Denmark Hill (still only 10-15 minutes from London’s very-center by public transport).
They call themselves “London’s most central university,” and the campuses blend well into the city—great for meeting both locals and fellow students. And it’s VERY international-friendly—they even have a website section dedicated to international applicants, offering specific information according to where you’re from.
King’s College London welcomes around 40,000 students every year (around 40% of them postgraduates). The research facilities are popular and world-class, and many international students enroll onto both the undergraduate and postgraduate schemes.
Overall, for a good location in a good establishment, this is one of the best universities in London for international students.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Official site: https://www.lse.ac.uk/
Specializing in social science, London School of Economics and Political Science welcomes around 11,500 students per year—and the acceptance rate is often under 10%!
It sits right in the center of London (between Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral).
In the 2025 Sunday Times Good University Guide (that’s an annual study from one of the UK’s most popular newspapers), the university won ‘University of the Year’ award, and was ranked as the best university in the UK.
Why? Well, mainly for “graduate prospects, teaching and research quality.”
If you want serious studies, serious research and serious teachers, this is the place for you. They have around 40 undergraduate programs, while around 60% of the students here are postgraduates. Ideal if you’re a little older and you’re looking for mature buddies.
Overall, if you really want to focus on your studies, this is one of the top universities in London. But if you want to prioritize fun, you might want to look elsewhere.
Queen Mary University of London
Official site: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/
Queen Mary University of London (or just ‘Queen Mary’s,’ as most people call it) is often voted as one of the world’s top 100 universities.
Welcoming around 27,000 new students each year, it has six campuses, and international facilities in other countries.
That said, most of its buildings (and most of the students) are found in the Mile End area of London. This eastern neighborhood is hip, trendy, affordable, and up-and-coming, and offers way more locals than tourists. It’s also one of London’s greenest districts (highlights include Mile End Park, Victoria Park, and stretches of Regent’s Canal).
More than 40% of students here are non-natives, and around 170 different nationalities study at the university. Overall, another of the best universities in London for international students.
City St. George's, University of London
Official site: coming in March 2025
Until 2024, two separate universities existed: one called ‘City, University of London,’ and one called ‘St. George’s, University of London.’
Now, the two are currently merging to form ‘City St George’s, University of London.’
Basically, all the courses offered by the once-separate universities will now just be offered by one university. St. George’s is a medical, health and science university (and largely hospital-based) while City is more varied, with courses in literature, engineering, arts, media, and more.
The City campus lies very centrally, while the St. George’s campus is in southwest London, between Battersea and Wimbledon.
Brunel University London
Official site: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/
Very varied, Brunel University London offers courses in business, arts, social sciences, engineering, design, medicine, health, and more. Around 150 nationalities study here.
But, an important note: while most universities we’ve brought you are in central London (or at least centralish London), Brunel University lies on the outskirts. Far northwest of the city, it’s a stretch to say this place is even in London.
From the campus, it takes around an hour to reach the city center by public transport. But that’s not all bad: it means you get a tight-knit campus, a nice inclusive vibe (you’ll really feel like you’re part of a community here), and EVERYTHING you need in or around campus (including libraries, gyms, and supermarkets).
Royal Holloway, University of London
Official site: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/
Another part of the University of London,* Royal Holloway is another not-central option.
Sitting southwest of Brunel University, Royal Holloway is even further from the city. So the nightlife isn’t great, you won’t spend much time actually exploring London, and you won’t be living a city life.
Again, this isn’t an ideal location for some people…
… but it definitely comes with its perks:
- It’s very close to the UK’s busiest airport (ideal for regularly flying home!)
- You’re surrounded by the same people all the time, so it’s very easy to make friends
- It sits inside some lovely parkland
- You’re close to lots of fun, including museums, parks, gardens, and Thorpe Park (possibly the UK’s best theme park)
At Royal Holloway, you’ll find around 12,000 new students per year, around 100 different nationalities, and a high-class vibe.
Overall, for joining a close community of students, it’s one of the best universities in London.
*Note, to clear up any confusion here: there is no singular actual ‘University of London.’ Instead, “the University of London is a unique federation of seventeen independent higher education institutions.” And that includes Royal Holloway, Brunel University of London, and others on this list. Our advice is—just consider each university as a separate entity, because that’s essentially what they are. On the link above, for those who care, there’s a list of all 17. Anyway, on we go!
SOAS University of London
Official site: https://www.soas.ac.uk/
With a name standing for ‘School of Oriental and African Studies,’ SOAS is one of the city’s more niche universities.
It welcomes around 6,000 students per year, from more than 130 countries. That gives the place a really international homely community vibe—perfect if you want a tight-knit group of close friends.
Because SOAS has a big focus on social sciences, you get many courses in politics, law, and anthropology. Other courses include those related to humanities, economics, and finance. It’s VERY central, sitting right beside the British Museum.
Overall, for learning about other cultures, and (eventually) getting jobs in other countries, this is one of the best universities in London for international students
Birkbeck, University of London
Official site: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/
A unique university, most courses here are held in the evenings… and therefore popular with older learners who want to fit their studies around their existing lives. They also offer many remote classes.
They have students from more than 100 countries, and mainly specialize in arts, humanities, and sciences.
Very central, the university is right beside the British Museum (and therefore right beside SOAS!). Like many other universities we’ve brought you, it’s a member institution of the University of London.
Importantly: because many classes here are held in the evening, this isn’t the most social choice. Many students here are 30+ (and around 500 students over the age of 60 study at Birkbeck!).
So if you’re heading here for a specific course, go for it.
… but if you’re looking for lots of socializing, fun, drinking and dancing, this is NOT one of the top universities in London.
Top universities in London: essential requirements for international students
IELTS and language proficiency
No matter which of the top universities in London you choose, you’ll (unsurprisingly) need to speak English.
Each university will have its own specific rules (and some courses—like medicine or law—will require a higher level of English proficiency).
But, broadly speaking, you’ll need to demonstrate high levels of writing, speaking, listening, and reading. Usually, you’ll need to take an IELTS (International English Language Testing System)… but some universities might require or accept a different method of testing.
Good news though: you’re reading this in English right now. So if you’re not already as qualified as you need to be, you’re well on your way!
There’s much more information here.
Healthcare and insurance
Before we get into this, a key note: your health is important.
… so always contact your future university to check the exact rules.
But, generally, here’s what to expect:
- The UK is home to the NHS (the National Health Service). This free-of-charge paid-for-by-taxes service is one of the world’s best. If you’ll be studying in the UK for 6 months or longer, you’re usually eligible to receive unlimited healthcare for free. But as a foreigner, you first need to pay the ‘Immigration Health Surcharge.’ At present, that costs just under £800 for students. After you’ve paid it once, you’re entitled to receive healthcare for the duration of your visa. And assuming you’ve paid this surcharge, you’re eligible to receive free healthcare as soon as your visa starts.
- It’s possible to get private health insurance, if you want better care or shorter waiting times. Two of the most popular private-insurance providers in the UK are AXA and Bupa.
When you enter the UK, you’ll need to register with your nearest GP (‘general practitioner,’ which is basically just a doctor who works in a small basic clinic). Even if you don’t need to see this specific doctor as part of any medical treatment, you still need to be registered with one of these GPs. You’ll find thousands of them throughout London.
Accommodation and costs
Choosing (and finding!) accommodation can be tricky.
The first thing to consider (if you haven’t yet chosen your university) is…
… which neighborhood is right for you? For more on that, head over to our guide on the best neighborhoods in London for students.
Next up: do you want to live in student accommodation, or move into your own place?
If you do want to live in your own place (instead of on-campus student accommodation provided by the university), you might struggle. London, of course, is a very popular place to live. And without understanding local bureaucracy and local people, you’re one step behind most other apartment-hunters.
To start your search, use RightMove and Zoopla (two real-estate websites with a variety of rentals). Facebook can also be a good option, while SpareRoom is the best resource for finding a bedroom in a houseshare.
… or, to make things as simple as possible, do what many others do: and use Homelike instead! We have many short term rentals in London. They’re all comfy and cozy, they’re perfect for living and studying, they’re ready to move into today, and all furniture and utilities are organized for you (and included in one set fee). We also have long term rentals in London for those who wish to lock in their stay for a longer period.
Because: if you’re studying at one of the top universities in London, you want to enjoy your time. And you’ll enjoy it much more if you have a nice home… and if you don’t need to spend a million hours finding it.
In short, Homelike are here to give you a stress-free way to find a new home (cos, let’s be honest, you have enough to think about already).
Best Universities in London for International Students: Final Thoughts
And that’s us finished—they’re the best universities in London for international students!
In summary, London offers city universities, outside-the-city campus universities, places where studying is the priority, and places where the study-life ratio is a little more balanced.
So: think about what you want to study, where you want to live, and the type of life you’re looking for…
… and those three factors will shape your decision.
As we mentioned, no matter which university you choose: you might struggle to find a nice place to live. If you want to live in a flat or apartment (and not student accommodation provided by the university itself), you have lots of competition—and locals (who know the city and its people!) have an advantage over you.
So if you do struggle, get in touch with us. We have homes all around the city (close to all the universities we’ve mentioned!), they’re all fully-furnished, and they’re ready to move into today.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and enjoy studying at one of the top universities in London. Bye for now!
Useful apps for living in London: final thoughts
And that’s us done—they’re the most useful apps for living in London!
They’ll save you time, they’ll save you money, and they’ll save you stress.
(just like our apartments will!).
For more living-in-London hacks and tips, travel over to our guides on:
- Important things to know before moving to London
- The best UK banks for new UK residents
- The best neighborhoods in London
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and enjoy living in London. See ya!
