10 Best Universities in London 2026 - Rankings, Courses & Fees

The United Kingdom is one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations among Indian students who want to make the most of the state-of-the-art facilities and world-class infrastructure. Candidates looking to pursue higher education in London can check out the details on the top 10 universities in London in this article. 

Students coming from abroad can easily find different multidisciplinary colleges as well as specialist institutions in London. They can align a flexible academic course with their respective careers, which they have in mind. Out of the several universities in London, a total of three universities are listed among the top 100 as per QS World University Rankings 2026, and many of these are renowned globally, with a high ranking.

Although the cost of living in London may be higher, students can apply for scholarships or education loans to pursue their higher education at some of the world's best institutions. For the third year continuously, the city has been named the best student city in the world as per the QS Best Student Cities ranking 2025. The article explains why London is a good option for international students and highlights the best universities in London, along with related facts.

Read: Facts about studying in London

Top 10 Universities in London 2026

Check the rankings of the top universities in London, UK for the academic year 2026. 

Details on Top 5 Universities in London

Check out the details on some of the best universities in London below.  

1. Imperial College of London

Established in 1907, the Imperial College of London is one of the world’s leading public research universities and the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, engineering, medicine, and business. The university is home to students and staff from over 125 countries making it one of the most internationally renowned universities in the world. Scholars who seek admission into the Imperial College of London are introduced to a vibrant campus with cafes, restaurants, student accommodations and a cinema and is surrounded by some of London’s famous attractions including the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the Royal College of Art, the Royal College of Music, and the National Art Library. Other nearby attractions include the colleges are Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park which is equipped with the latest sports facilities.

Key Highlights

• The Imperial College of London is one of the top ten universities with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research
• The college has over 17,000 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies and 8,000 staff members
• Each year more than 6,700 degrees are awarded to students

Check out some of the Cheapest Accommodation in London for International Students here.

2. University College London

Established in 1826, the University College London houses 11 faculties including Arts & Humanities, Bartlett (Built Environment), Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Institute of Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Social & Historical Sciences which comprises of around 100 institutes, research centers and departments. It is regarded as the first institution in London to provide admissions to students irrespective of their religion and the first university to admit women. Earlier called the London University, the alumni at University College London include stalwarts such as the representative of the Indian Independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone and William Stanley who is the early pioneer of modern Economics among many others.

Key Highlights

• The university's research program revolves around four ‘Grand Challenges’ namely Sustainable Cities, Human Wellbeing, Global Health, and Intercultural Interaction
• University College London was the first university to admit Women students
• The University has over 300,000 alumni spread across 190 countries

3. King's College London

Founded by Arthur Wellesley and King George IV in 1829, King's College London or more commonly referred to as KLC or King's is one of the premier public research institutions for higher education. The university delves deep into departments including Theological, General Literature and Science, Applied Sciences, Medical, and Military and also looks after 300 other societies and groups in a wide range of activities. King's has over 33,000 students from around 150 countries worldwide. King's College London also maintains more than 50 sports clubs, societies, shops, eateries, and a fitness centre. KLC has over the years developed a worldwide status for top-notch teaching and avant-garde research.

Key Highlights

• The college has produced alumni such as Peter Higgs (Physics), Michael Levitt (Chemistry), Max Theiler (Medicine) and Sir Frederick Hopkins (Medicine)
• The college is also responsible for starting research that led to the invention of the radio, television, mobile phones, and even radar
• King's is considered a part of the 'golden triangle' (Cambridge, London, and Oxford) of English universities when it comes to research 

• It has obtained the 36th spot in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Check: Top 50 UK Colleges for MBA: Shiksha Ranking

4. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Set up in 1895, the London School of Economics and Political Science has earned its name as a specialist social science university. It also became the first carbon-neutral verified university in the United Kingdom in the year 2021. The institute has distinct academic courses to offer, including UG and PG courses, language courses, executive education, summer school, study abroad, etc. The school has students representing 140 nations, with 40% of the staff members from abroad. A total of 516 Indian students got enrolled in 2021, out of which 123 opted for UG education and 393 opted for graduate studies. LSE has around 219,000 alumni residing in 212 nations worldwide.

Key Highlights