South West London has been the seat of some of the finest higher education institutions in the capital for hundreds of years. In the 21st century, it has developed far beyond its clinical medical roots to develop into a home for several world-leading universities that cover a huge range of studies and disciplines.
Here is a brief guide to some of the very best.
Imperial College London – South Kensington Campus
Seated in the heart of Kensington with incredible museums and academic institutions surrounding it, this is one of the most prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Universities in the world. It constantly ranks in the global top 10 for these disciplines and is a recognised research leader for important issues such as the climate crisis, energy security, and public health. Notable alumni include Sir Alexander Fleming who spent time as a professor here. There has always been a diverse and international community of students at Imperial College, with regular representation for 140 countries, to provide a global outlook in all studies. Student life is well served through a thriving café and restaurant scene, with local attractions such as Hyde Park providing some welcome respite from academic work. MBA programmes and research positions in these state of the art facilities make Imperial College a serious draw with plenty of competition for places.
King’s College London
The Waterloo and St Thomas campuses of this renowned university are based in South West London as hubs for their medical, healthcare and humanities faculties. The St Thomas campus is located in an integrated teaching hospital within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, offering direct clinical experience for medical students. Inspiring views of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames serve as the backdrop for an immersive learning experience in the heart of the capital. With Florence Nightingale, the inventor of modern nursing methods and processes; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; and Rosalind Franklin - a central figure in unraveling the mysteries of DNA - all counted as luminaries that have walked these halls, the credentials are difficult to match anywhere in the world. Academic excellence aligns with a legacy of impact at King’s College to deliver an educational institution that is innovative, attractive, and incredibly well respected.
Wimbledon College of Arts
The leafy neighbour of Wimbledon in South West London has fostered a long standing relationship with art and artists that has endured for centuries. Wimbledon College of Arts began its life as a Technical Institute in 1890 that transformed into a pioneering art and design college of the 20th century, specialising in theatre & performance arts. In 2006, its journey into the echelons of elite education was completed as it became a part of the University of Arts London to connect it with Central St Martins and London College of Fashion. An exciting prospectus of undergraduate and postgraduate courses covers subjects such as Theatre Design, Fine Art, and Costume Design for Theatre and Screen. Hands-on learning methods and expert mentorships drive the students to achieve in their respective fields, with Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth and illustrator Quentin Blake both speaking very highly of their own time as students here.
Kingston University
The riverside town of Kingston-upon-Thames feels like the appropriate scenery for an English university that combines traditional learning with dynamic modern facilities. The Town House located at the Penrhyn Road Campus is perhaps the best example of this philosophy. It was designed in a spirit of openness and connectivity to encourage collaboration and activity between the students, staff and the wider community. It must have been particularly pleasing for a university so recognised for art and engineering that the Town House was then awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize 2021 for the UK’s best new building. There is a strong focus on practical application of skills at Kingston through the internships, placements and industry-led project involvement that can be offered to the appropriate students. The award-winning musician Eric Clapton and Turner Prize-nominated artist Fiona Banner are amongst a stellar line of ex-students at Kingston too.
Richmond American University
Richmond American University London delivers pioneering American liberal arts education across a huge 1.8 million square foot campus in the beautiful Chiswick Park location. Students here roam the vast institution with nature to inspire them as landscaped gardens and a waterfall surround the 12 purpose-built department buildings for business, social sciences, communications and humanities. One of the greatest attractions here for developing young adult minds is in the approach to interdisciplinary learning that allows students to explore multiple fields before determining which area they wish to specialise in. Although the academic credentials here are excellent – with the opportunity to obtain both UK and US degrees – it is the university’s connections to over 70 leading companies that provides a vital edge for its graduates in an increasingly competitive job market. Richmond American University’s global status is reinforced by the ability for all undergraduate programs to study a semester or entire academic year in a different country to further broaden their cultural experience.
St George’s, University of London
St George’s University of London was established almost 200 years ago in 1733 and counts some of the most influential figures in modern medical history amongst its alumni. The ‘father of immunology’, Edward Jenner and Henry Gray, author of the world-renowned medical textbook Gray’s Anatomy, both studied here. It is no surprise then that St George’s is recognised as one of the most distinguished medical health service & research institutions on the planet. The campus is co-located with St George’s Hospital, a trauma centre for this area of London, and as a result it provides students with vital first-hand experience of clinical procedures and skills in a live setting. The placements offered combined with traditional lectures, case-based and problem-based learning create a comprehensive grounding for clinical exposure and education that is difficult to match. The surrounding neighbourhood of Tooting is also perfect for students to enjoy some of the best cultural and leisure highlights that South West London has to offer.
As the pace and complexity of university education continues to increase in the modern era, it is important to find the right combination of historical accreditation and forward thinking development for studies. The universities in South West London are embracing this philosophy with vigour and look to offer unrivalled opportunities for students here for a very long time to come.
