Education in London

London is a leading global educational centre, having one of the largest populations of overseas students of any city in the world.Fact|date=May 2007

Universities

London has the largest student population of any British city, although not the highest per capita. Universities in London may be divided into two groups:

First, the federal University of London, which, with over 120,000 students, is the largest contact teaching university in the United Kingdom (smaller only than the distance-education Open University) and one of the largest Universities in Europe. [ [http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0506.xls HESA Statistics] ] It comprises 19 colleges and 12 institutes, as well as a distance-learning External System. [ [http://www.london.ac.uk/colleges_institutes University of London Colleges and Institutes] ] Constituent colleges have a high degree of autonomy, controlling their own admissions and degree programmes, and are effectively universities in their own right. The largest and most well-known University of London colleges include (in order of size) King's College London, University College London, Birkbeck, Queen Mary, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Royal Holloway, Goldsmiths, and the Institute of Education. Smaller schools and institutes (with fewer than 5,000 students) include the School of Oriental and African Studies, the London Business School, the School of Pharmacy, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Central School of Speech and Drama. [ [http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0506.xls HESA Statistics] ] Traditionally all of the University of London institutions awarded degrees from the University of London itself, and not from the individual college or institution, but this changed in 2007/2008 when University College London, King's College London, the London School of Economics, and the Institute of Education remained within the University of London system, but began awarding their own degrees. [ [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/examinations/degree-awarding/faq/ UCL FAQ on degree-awarding powers] ]

Secondly, there are other universities not part of the University of London, some of which were polytechnics until UK polytechnics were granted university status by a 1992 Act of Parliament, and others which were founded much earlier. Among these are Imperial College London, London South Bank University, City University, London, Middlesex University in North London, Brunel University in West London, the University of East London and various other higher education institutions.

Research

UCL, Imperial College London, King's College London, and LSE are leading centres of research and stand alongside MIT, University of California, Berkeley and other US universities in terms of international reputation. [ [http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=144 Times Higher Education International University League Table] ] [ [http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=150 Times Higher Education Social Science International University League Table, showing LSE in its specialist area] ]

All or virtually all of the leading British learned societies are based in London. The Royal Institution is an historic and important repository and proponent of the acquisition of scientific knowledge through research and study.

Other institutions of higher education

There are also number of colleges in London which provide education leading to degrees validated by universities, but which are not actual universities themselves. Some of these colleges are private institutions very similar to actual universities, such as European Business School or Regent's College.

Further education

London also has many further education colleges funded by the Learning and Skills Council. Traditionally these were clearly separated from the higher education system, and offered vocational education below university level, but this distinction is breaking down and many further education colleges now offer university level courses validated by a local university and prepare students for university entrance, as well as providing vocational courses.

Arts education

London is Britain's leading centre for arts education.Fact|date=May 2007 London's four music conservatories are the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Other drama schools include Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts ("RADA"), and the Central School of Speech and Drama. Art & Design schools include Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design, Camberwell College of Arts, London College of Communication and London College of Fashion (all part of the University of the Arts London), and Goldsmiths College, University of London and the Slade School of Art (both part of the University of London), and the Royal College of Art. In the South-West, meanwhile, the Wimbledon School of Art is also on offer. The former Hornsey School of Art is now part of Middlesex University. The University of East London has an Institute for Performing Arts Development (IPAD).

Medical education

London is an important centre of medical education.Fact|date=May 2007 The city's medical schools are attached to the leading hospitals and some of them are several centuries old. The number of schools has been reduced to five by a recent series of mergers:
*Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry - [http://www.mds.qmw.ac.uk/]
*King's College London School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (formerly Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine) - [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/medicine/index.html]
*Imperial College School of Medicine - [http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/]
*Royal Free and University College Medical School - [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicalschool/]
*St George's Hospital Medical School - [http://www.sghms.ac.uk]

chools

Most state schools in London are run by the London Boroughs. In common with other large cities in the UK, there are problems in some inner city schools, particularly those in less affluent areas. It is difficult to retain teachers in struggling schools. London's high property prices mean that teachers are often unable to afford to buy their own homes, which forces many to moving to more affordable parts of the country. There are many private schools in Greater London including some of England's best known public schools such as Harrow and Westminster. There is even an international school in St. John's Wood, The American School in London.

References

External links

* [http://www.studylondon.ac.uk Study London: The official website for London's universities and higher education colleges] - provides an impartial guide to studying in London
* [http://www.yourlondon.gov.uk/choice Choice: Learning Opportunities in London for 14-19 year olds] - provides impartial advice to young people, their parents and advisors on all the options available in schools, colleges and work places across the capital