Top 10 Best Universities in London 2027 - Rankings, Courses & Fees

Top 10 Best Universities in London 2027 - Rankings, Courses & Fees

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Priya
Priya Garg
Assistant Manager - Editorial, Shiksha Study Abroad
Updated on Jun 18, 2026 11:42 IST
Planning to study in the United Kingdom? Check out top universities, fees, and duration of courses across the best universities in London for the best higher education abroad. The United Kingdom is one of the most sought after study abroad destinations among Indians and students globally.
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 2027-28 in this article. 
Top Universities in London 2023
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.

You may also read Facts about studying in London for Indian students.

Table of contents
  • Top 10 Universities in London 2027
  • Details on Top 5 Universities in London
  • Which are the Top Universities in London for MBA?
  • Cost of Living in London 2026
  • Top Universities in London FAQs

Top 10 Universities in London 2027

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for 2027 and 2027 rankings by the Complete University Guide just dropped! And here are the top 10 universities in London that you need to know. 👇 

Note: We have also listed the rankings of these universities for the year 2026 for you to have a nice comparative view.  

2027 Rankings by QS 👇

QS Best Universities in London 2027
Institute Name QS World University Rankings 2027 QS World University Rankings 2026
Imperial College London =2 2
UCL =8 9
King's College London 37 31
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 62 56
Queen Mary University of London 103 =110
Brunel University London 353 =385
Birkbeck, University of London =354 =388
City St George’s, University of London =361 =310
SOAS University of London =458 =511
Royal Holloway, University of London =485 461

2027 Rankings by Complete University Guide 👇

Complete University Guide: Top 10 Universities in London 2027
Institute Name Complete University Guide Rankings 2027 Complete University Guide Rankings 2026
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 3 3
Imperial College London 5 6
UCL 13 13
King's College London 16 19
University of the Arts, London 27 33
Queen Mary University of London 40 41
Brunel University London 48 53
City St George’s, University of London 59 NA
Goldsmiths, University of London 61 71
St Mary's University, Twickenham 79 69

The 2026 best universities rankings for universities in London by Times Higher Education are given below.  

THE Best Universities in London 2026-27
Institute Name THE World University Rankings 2026
Imperial College London 8
UCL 22
King's College London 38
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 52
Queen Mary University of London =134
City St George’s, University of London 301-350
Brunel University London 401-500
Birkbeck, University of London 301-350
SOAS University of London 401-500
Goldsmiths, University of London 501-600







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.

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

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

  • Its social science and management subjects obtained a high rank in the QS World and Subject Rankings 2022
  • The Complete University Guide placed it at the first spot in London for the 11th year
  • 18 Nobel Prize recipients have been a part of LSE staff and ex-student population

5. Queen Mary University of London

A Russell Group University, Queen Mary University of London has a total of five campuses in London along with sites in Paris, China and Malta. Students have the option of studying various undergraduate, postgraduate taught courses as well as research programmes in distinct study areas, especially in subjects which a Russell Group University does not usually offer. It has staff members, alumni and students from more than 170 nations. Almost 41% of its students are from overseas.

Key Highlights

  • Among its former staff members and students are 9 Nobel Prize recipients
  • A total of 5,000 students from the university are pursuing joint programmes with partners in China

Read More: Check out the Top Universities in UK in 2027

Which are the Top Universities in London for MBA?

Based on the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026, the top universities in London for MBA are- 

Top 5 Universities in London for MBA
Universities QS Global MBA Rankings 2026
London Business School #6
Imperial Business School #19
Brunel Business School #201-250

Cost of Living in London 2026

London is the costliest city in the UK for international students to live. The average yearly funds required to live in London range from £20,000 - £24,000 which can increase based on your expenses as well. For this reason, many Indian students prefer to live on the outskirts of the city where the cost of accommodation is lower than in the city. 

This was all about the top 10 universities in London for Indian and international students. For admission related queries, sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of expert counsellors.

Top Universities in London FAQs

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which is the no.1 university in the UK?
A: 

While naming any one university as "no. 1" in the UK can be difficult as different rankings consider different parameters to rank universities in the UK. The best universities in the UK that remain among top positions in several university rankings are Imperial College London, University of Oxford and the universities2 of Cambridge.

Q:   Which is the no. 1 university in London?
A: 

Based on the QS World University rankings 2025, below are the top universities in London, UK.

Top Universities in London 2025
UniversityQS World University Rankings 2025
Imperial College London2
University College London (UCL)9
King's College London=40
London School of Economics and Political Science=50
Queen Mary University of London=120
Q:   What are the entry level jobs after MBA in International Finance (ACCA-UK) from GCEC Global Foundation?
A: 

After completing MBA in International Finance (ACCA-UK), students can apply for entry level jobs such as:

  • Credit & Risk Analyst
  • Treasury & Forex Analyst
  • Investment Research Analys
  • Corporate Finance Associate
  • International Banking Executive
  • Financial Planning Executive
  • Financial Analyst -Global Markets

 

Q:   How does the University of Liverpool, Bangalore BSc fee compare to the UK campus?
A: 

Studying the BSc at the University of Liverpool, Bangalore saves you a lot of money. In the UK, the same degree can cost over INR 25 Lakhs a year just for tuition. You also save on expensive UK rent and flight tickets. By staying in Bangalore, you get the exact same certificate and quality of education for much less. It makes a top-tier international degree possible for many more families. It is a very smart way to get a global education.







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Priya Garg
Assistant Manager - Editorial, Shiksha Study Abroa...

Priya Garg is an Assistant Manager in the Editorial Team of Shiksha Study Abroad (Shiksha.com, InfoEdge India Ltd), where she has served as the primary content owner on studying in the UK, Ireland, France, Spai

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UK Expertise
Neha Nain Kuntal, a highly qualified professional, holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing, a Master’s in Commerce, a PG Diploma in International Business Operations, and a Bachelor’s in Education. With Read Full Bio
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