City, University of London

City, University of London is a leading UK university, with a global vision and a commitment to transforming lives through education. It is home to over 20,000 students, 46% of which are studying at postgraduate level and has over 175,000 alumni from over 180 countries.

City is divided into five different academic Schools:

• School of Arts & Social Sciences
• The Business School (formerly Cass)
• School of Health Sciences
• The City Law School
• School of Mathematics, Computer Science & Engineering

Research forms an essential part of the pursuit of academic excellence. City is dedicated to creating research that is not only innovative, but has a lasting, real-world impact across the world. Each of the five academic Schools has their own specialist research centres – there are 70 in total across City – along with four interdisciplinary research centres.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, 52.4% of City’s research was classed as ‘Internationally Excellent’ and 23.3% was classed as ‘World-leading’. 40% of City’s research staff were rated as ‘Excellent’. This performance puts City within the Top 50 UK institutions for research.

In 2016, City became part of the University of London federation and as a result of this, students at City have access to a network of shared facilities and services.

Based in the heart of the UK capital, City students have a wealth of academic and career opportunities on their doorstep. London has been named the best student city in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2019) and is a melting pot of people, culture and history, providing a stimulating environment in which to work, study and play.

Notable alumni include Mohandas 'Mahatma' Gandhi, British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and DJ Jo Whiley.

One of City’s greatest strengths is their links to business and industry. City offers skills-focused degrees that embed employability within the curriculum and was recently ranked 7^th in London for a career after six months (Guardian University Guide 2020). Alongside employability, City are focused on setting up new interdisciplinary research centres that will produce solutions to some of the biggest challenges that society faces.

These ties to both UK and international businesses provide networking and career opportunities for postgraduate students. City has also signed up to The Concordat, which is an agreement to improve the employment and support for research staff.

Students also have access to CityCareers and ExperienceCity – both of which offer students careers advice and guidance support and opportunities to meet employers, find paid work and develop non-academic skills.

There are over 150 taught postgraduate degrees and a range of research degree programmes offered through the 70 specialist research centres and four interdisciplinary centres.

Courses cover the following academic areas: Business, Arts, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Sciences and Law. Each of City’s academic Schools has a particular strength, for example the School of Health Sciences is leading research in ophthalmology.

City’s academics are leaders in their field and are often approached by the press to comment on their work. Each Postgraduate student also has the opportunity to be matched with an experienced mentor who supports them through their studies.

City Students’ Union (CULSU) works to improve the experience of City students. It provides independent advice on academic issues through the Union Support Service (USS). It also organises events and supports student clubs and societies, Raising and Giving (RAG) activity, student media and student-led environmental projects, so that students can play a full part in the City community and make the most of their time at City.

Elected student officers represent students before the University and nationally: they ensure that students’ voices are heard on key student issues and lobby to make sure students have the support they need to excel. The Students’ Union supports City’s academic representation by training and supporting student course representatives.

Visit the CULSU website to find out more.

Postgraduate students have the opportunity to live in three of City’s halls of residence:

• Alliance House – located in the residential area of Newington Green, approximately 30 minutes' travel on public transport from City
• iQ City – new halls, seven minutes’ walk from campus, offering en-suite rooms and studio rooms. It is provided by third party housing provider, iQ Student Accommodation.
• Willen House – self-catered halls of residence which offer 157 self-contained studio apartments, each with their own en-suite bathroom and kitchenette, 10 minutes' walk from City's main site at Northampton Square, and 10 minutes' walk from the Business School.

Students will be able to apply for one of City’s affiliated halls once they have firmly accepted an offer at City. Please note that rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis, but priority is given to students with a disability or severe medical condition.

Highlights for students include:

• Airbus cockpit simulator, micro turbines and formula car simulator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics
• State-of-the-art 3D OCT camera used in City’s own opticians, City Sight, which is open to the public
• A fully equipped recording studio, composition studio, performance space and rehearsal rooms in the Department of Music.

As part of the University of London, students also get access to a wide network of library, social and sports facilities.

London is one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant cities in the world. Hundreds of thousands of students come to the capital from across the world to study here.

City is right at the heart of it all in Islington, a bohemian area of London known for its many independent shops, bars and restaurants. It’s just a short tube or bus ride into central London, with its diverse range of theatres, world leading galleries and museums and famous attractions.

If all that hustle and bustle gets a little too much, London is home to over 3,000 parks and open areas for student to relax in. It is easily to hop on a train and visit any number of the UK’s fantastic cities and towns.

Online events

City, University of London runs regular postgraduate open evenings and online information sessions throughout the academic year. Designed to give prospective students the opportunity to explore, these events allow students to meet academic tutors and gain insight into the courses they teach.

Attendees will receive guidance on application processes, chat with current students and be able to access advice from student services including careers, funding, library and accommodation.

For those who are unable to visit in person, City also offers prospective students’ access to a series of subject specific and general online information sessions. Delivered by City’s academics, current students and student services, these sessions allow students to discover City from the comfort of their own home. Dates of subject specific sessions can be found across the website.

Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, City are currently hosting all on campus events virtually.

Chat to a City student online

For prospective students hoping to get a closer look at what it’s like to be a student at City, there is a team of student ambassadors who are available to answer questions. The chat feature, on the university’s website allows students to select a preferred course of interest, as well as a country of origin. This provides students with a unique and personalised insight into studying at City.

On Campus Support

It’s not just students’ academic development that’s important to City. City offers a wide range of services to support students from day one, including:

• Student counselling and mental health teams: confidential mental health support, workshops and self-help material. Free counselling is also offered, including a daily drop-in service
• Wellbeing services: Including a health service, where students can get advice from a registered nurse and get immunization jabs; a disability service for those with physical and mental disabilities; and a chaplaincy service, with support and spaces to pray and reflect
• Dedicated support for care leavers and estranged students; offering advice and support on a range of financial and personal issues.

UK students per year: Varies by course.

International students per year: Varies by course.

For information on scholarships and bursaries offered at City, please visit.

At City, 40% of all academics are producing research that is world-leading or internationally excellent (2014 Research Excellence Framework).

Applicants for all postgraduate degrees are usually required to hold a university honours degree, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject. For any students who have relevant experience or other types of qualifications, they may also be considered at the discretion of the individual department. In addition, the university recognise several pre-master’s courses in particular those provided by the INTO Centre at City, University of London and Kaplan Internal College London.

Doctoral study, which usually results in a PhD or a professional doctorate usually takes three or four years of study. Original research on a specific topic under expert academic supervision culminates in a long-length thesis or dissertation. City has a City Doctoral College which is designed to support those studying for a research degree.

City offers over 150 taught postgraduate courses. A taught postgraduate degree usually involves the study of one or more compulsory modules, combined with several elective modules and a substantial piece of individual work, which may take the form of a dissertation or other research project. Taught postgraduate degrees at City allow students to study a subject in depth and tailor their module choices to their chosen area of interest and future. Students will learn alongside a cohort of peers sharing the same interests and students can benefit from lectures, seminars and research supervision from academics who are leaders in their fields.

Most taught postgraduate degrees are designed to be studied and completed over the course of one academic year for full-time students, or two years for part-time students.

There are several courses available to study via distance learning. Students don’t need to attend lectures in person and can usually choose from a number of options when they start. This can be useful for overseas student in obtaining a UK Visa.