The University of London is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It is a federal research university consisting of 18 constituent colleges, 10 research institutes, and a number of central academic bodies. The university offers various undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in almost every subject imaginable.
History
The University of London was established in 1836 as a degree-awarding examination board for affiliated colleges. The first college to join the University was University College London (UCL) in 1836, followed by King’s College London and St George’s Hospital Medical School. Over time, more colleges joined the University, including the London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London, and Queen Mary University of London.
Prestige
The University of London is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It has produced many Nobel laureates, including Sir Frederick Hopkins (Physiology or Medicine), Ronald Coase (Economics), Peter Higgs (Physics), and Dorothy Hodgkin (Chemistry). The university also boasts numerous notable alumni such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, George Soros, and Virginia Woolf.
Rankings
According to QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of London ranks 50th globally. It also ranks 8th in Europe and 4th in the UK below Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College.
Teaching Standards
The quality of teaching at the University is exceptional with an excellent student to staff ratio. Many departments within the university are leaders in their field globally. For example- UCL is ranked #1 for Psychology & Neuroscience globally according to QS rankings.
Research Excellence
The university has always been at the forefront when it comes to research excellence with cutting-edge facilities available for all faculties across different colleges. The University has a strong focus on research, with 95% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world-leading in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the University of London is a highly prestigious institution that offers a world-class education to students from around the globe. With over 180 years of history and a global reputation for excellence in teaching and research, it is no surprise that the university continues to attract some of the brightest minds from around the world.