University of London
The University of London received its first royal charter on the 28th of November 1836. This document established a degree-awarding examination board rather than a teaching institution. King William IV granted the power to issue degrees to students from University College London and King's College London. The charter stated it could also grant degrees to any other institutions established for education within the United Kingdom. A problem arose when William IV died in June 1837. His death annulled the charter because it was granted during his Royal will and pleasure. Queen Victoria issued a second charter on the 5th of December 1837 to reincorporate the university. The new body awarded its first degrees in 1839 to students from UCL and King's College. It did not have authority to grant theology degrees initially. In 1849, the university held its first graduation ceremony at Somerset House. About 250 students graduated wearing robes with rich velvet facings.
Reforms initiated by the 1898 act came into force with the approval of federal statutes in 1900. Many colleges became schools of the university including UCL, King's College, Bedford College, and the London School of Economics. Imperial College was founded in 1907. Queen Mary College joined in 1915. The School of Oriental and African Studies was founded in 1916. Birkbeck College joined in 1920. UCL merged into the university under the University College London Transfer Act 1905 in 1907. King's College followed in 1910 under the King's College London Transfer Act 1908. The theological department of King's maintained a separate legal existence. The University of London Act 1978 defined the institution as a federation of self-governing colleges. This started a process of decentralization transferring power from Senate House to individual colleges. UCL regained independence in 1977 while King's College received a new charter in 1980. Centralized graduation ceremonies at the Royal Albert Hall ended in 1993. In 1993 funding switched from the central body to direct college funding.
The university moved its headquarters to 6 Burlington Gardens between 1867 and 1870. It held exam halls and offices there until the early 20th century. In March 1900 it relocated to the Imperial Institute in South Kensington. Rapid expansion required another move by the 1920s. A large parcel of land near the British Museum was acquired from the Duke of Bedford. Charles Holden served as architect with instructions to create a building not suggesting a passing fashion. He designed Senate House which became the current headquarters. Completion occurred between 1932 and 1937 making it the second largest building in London at that time. The university owns 12 hectares of freehold land in Bloomsbury near Russell Square tube station. Eight Halls of Residence exist on the estate including Connaught Hall and Garden Halls. The School of Advanced Study is housed in Senate House and neighboring Stewart House. During the Second World War Senate House served as Ministry of Information headquarters. Its roof became an observation point for the Royal Observer Corps. The building emerged largely unscathed despite several bomb hits.
As of 2015 around two million University of London alumni existed across the world. This included at least 14 monarchs or royalty and more than 60 presidents or prime ministers. Five prime ministers of the United Kingdom were among them. Two Cabinet Secretaries of the UK also attended. Ninety-eight Nobel laureates studied or taught there. Five Fields Medallists and four Turing Award winners were part of the community. Six Grammy winners and two Oscar winners graduated from its colleges. Three Olympic gold medalists represented the institution. Staff and students contributed to important scientific advances including vaccines by Edward Jenner and Henry Gray. Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin discovered the structure of DNA. Tommy Flowers invented modern electronic computers. Alexander Fleming and Ernest Chain discovered penicillin. William Henry Bragg and Charles Glover Barkla developed X-ray technology. James Clerk Maxwell formulated the theory of electromagnetism. Louis Essen determined the speed of light. Joseph Lister developed antiseptics. Charles K. Kao developed fibre optics. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Notable political figures include Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Aung San Suu Kyi.
In 2002 Imperial College and UCL mooted a merger but academic staff rejected it. On the 9th of December 2005 Imperial College made a formal decision to leave the university. It became fully independent on the 9th of July 2007 during centenary celebrations. The London School of Economics, University College London, and King's College London planned to award their own degrees starting in Autumn 2007. In 2016 reforms allowed colleges to legally become universities while remaining member institutions. A bill passed its second reading on the 16th of October 2018. Royal assent was received on the 20th of December 2018 becoming the University of London Act 2018. Twelve colleges applied for university status with notice given in the London Gazette on the 4th of February 2019. Heythrop College closed in 2018 as the first major British higher education institution to close since 1265. Its library of more than 250,000 volumes moved to Senate House Library. City University London joined the University of London in August 2016 before merging into City St George's in 2024.
The University of London Union building on Malet Street served as home to student organizations until 2022. It was rebranded as Student Central from 2010 to 2022. The union previously owned London Student which ran as a digital news organization. Since 2022 Birkbeck acquired the ULU building converting it into an extension of its campus. In 2012 outsourced cleaning staff launched the 3 Cosas campaign fighting for sick pay, holiday pay, and pensions. After over a year of strikes concessions were made but fell short of demands. A student occupation in 2013 led to police eviction and arrests of more than 60 students. Police violence occurred outside supporting the occupation. Thousands attended a Cops Off Campus demonstration against security policies. An article published by Vice in 2018 reported concerns over security arrangements at Senate House. More than 25 extra private security staff had been brought in. Students involved in occupations faced verbal, physical, and sexual assault allegations. In May 2025 Vice Chancellor Prof. Wendy Thomson was suspended pending inquiries on bullying allegations. Prof. David Latchman assumed acting capacity on the 27th of May 2025.
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Common questions
When did the University of London receive its first royal charter?
The University of London received its first royal charter on the 28th of November 1836. This document established a degree-awarding examination board rather than a teaching institution.
Where is the current headquarters of the University of London located?
The university moved its headquarters to Senate House at 6 Burlington Gardens between 1932 and 1937. The building stands near Russell Square tube station in Bloomsbury where the university owns 12 hectares of freehold land.
How many Nobel laureates studied or taught at the University of London as of 2015?
Ninety-eight Nobel laureates studied or taught at the University of London as of 2015. This figure includes scientists who contributed to major advances such as vaccines, penicillin, and the structure of DNA.
Which colleges left the University of London after 2005?
Imperial College made a formal decision to leave the university on the 9th of December 2005 and became fully independent on the 9th of July 2007. Heythrop College closed in 2018 while City University London joined in August 2016 before merging into City St George's in 2024.
Who was suspended as Vice Chancellor of the University of London in May 2025?
Vice Chancellor Prof. Wendy Thomson was suspended pending inquiries on bullying allegations in May 2025. Prof. David Latchman assumed acting capacity on the 27th of May 2025 following her suspension.