City, University of London

City, University of London is a leading institution, ranked 38^th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025). City offers an innovative programme of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses which uphold the university’s commitment to enhancing people’s lives through education.

City is a research-driven university and has around 21,000 enrolled students, of which 45 percent are studying postgraduate qualifications. The university community is a diverse and international population home to students from all over the world, with an alumni community numbering more than 220,000 and representing over 170 countries.

City is a member of the University of London federation, meaning 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 2024) 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.

Postgraduate

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

For those who are unable to visit in person, City also offers prospective students access to a series of subject specific and general online seminars. The sessions are delivered by academics, current students and student services and provide opportunities to ask questions and learn more about City. New dates are continuously added to City’s website.

Completing a postgraduate course at City, University of London equips graduates with a versatile range of skills and professional tools in preparation for a competitive and fulfilling career.

There are over 150 taught postgraduate degrees and a range of research degree programmes offered through 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 & Psychological Sciences is a leader in ophthalmology research.

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 to support them through their studies.

Students frequently collaborate with both their peers and department staff to carry out research of global significance, establishing a strong link between the university and the wider communities of research and industry. 

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

Entry criteria varies between different subject areas and levels of study. Generally, requirements are higher for research degrees such as PhDs and doctorates. Postgraduate applicants are usually expected to hold a minimum of a second class honours undergraduate degree for admission to a postgraduate degree course, in a field related to their intended area of study.

Since City’s postgraduate programmes are delivered in English, international applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to demonstrate a minimum standard of English language proficiency before they can enrol.

City offers an impressive portfolio of courses, underpinned by a culture of world-leading research centres which operate in conjunction with the university’s six academic schools:

• Bayes Business School (formerly Cass)
• School of Communication & Creativity
• School of Health & Psychological Science
• The City Law School
• School of Science and Technology
• School of Policy and Global Affairs

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 six academic schools has their own specialist research centres – there are 70 in total across City – along with four interdisciplinary research centres.

With 86 percent of research submitted to the last Research Excellence Framework (2021) rated as world-leading (3*) or internationally excellent (4*), City students learn directly from academics whose work shapes societies around the world.

According to the 2024 Complete University Guide league table, City places 42^nd out of 130 universities in the UK.

One of the major advantages to studying a postgraduate degree at City is access to its connections with world leading businesses and industry organisations. Exploring and expanding these networks is central to the university’s future strategy, ensuring that the quality of curriculum is high and its alignment with the demands of the professional world remains true.

The university was awarded gold for graduate prospects in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 and is dedicated to setting up new interdisciplinary research centres, which will conduct work into some of the most significant challenges that society faces.

City’s specialist careers service helps students discuss plans at personal appointments and group workshops, get advice on preparing a CV, job application form or LinkedIn profile, or attend a mock interview. City has strong links with major employers, who give regular presentations, attend career fairs and run student skills sessions.

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.

Student union

City Students’ Union (SU) is a student-run organisation which works to enhance the university experience of all students. It acts as a representational voice, co-ordinating a lively schedule of events and activities throughout the academic year. More information can be found on the students’ union website.

Clubs and societies

The student’s union organises over 120 clubs and societies, to which students have full access. Joining a society is a great way for postgraduate students to develop a new or existing interest, providing a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded individuals from beyond the boundaries of their degree course.

As members of the University of London, all City students can take advantage of the huge range of resources, facilities, sports and social opportunities offered.

City life

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 Islington, a bohemian area known for its many independent shops, bars and restaurants. City students are never far from the exciting and enriching opportunities that London has to offer.

Accommodation

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

• Alliance House – located in the residential area of Newington Green.
• Willen House – self-catered halls of residence which offer 157 self-contained studio apartments, each with their own en-suite bathroom and kitchenette, at Northampton Square.

Rooms are allocated on a first come, first served basis, but priority is given to students with a disability or severe medical condition. City’s accommodation office can be contacted all year round for any questions or queries.

Facilities

City believes that to produce world-leading research, students need world-class equipment and facilities. The university has invested £150 million in responsive learning environments, new technologies, study spaces and staff over the past ten years.

Highlights include an Airbus cockpit simulator and formula car simulator, state-of-the-art 3D OCT optician cameras, a fully equipped recording studio and performance space, a brand-new building for The City Law School, featuring a dedicated law library, mock courtroom, and an in-house legal clinic.

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

It’s not just students’ academic development that’s important to City. The university offers a wide range of services to support students from day one, to help them settle in and cope with the pressures that come with student life, 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: a health service where students can get advice from a registered nurse and get immunisation 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.

Postgraduate students can readily find support and guidance through the university’s student advice team, which is based in the student centre on campus and able to offer friendly, professional advice to enhance the student experience at City.

City, University of London works hard to support its student community, providing a generous programme of funding opportunities to help with the cost-of-living crisis, and to provide extra support to students facing financial insecurities. This gives City students the financial security to study with confidence and focus on competing their postgraduate course.

There is a range of scholarships and bursaries, offered for both merit and needs-based criteria, many of which are available to postgraduate students. Some bursaries and scholarships are also offered by external organisations.

Taught

City offers over 150 taught postgraduate courses, typically involving 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. Students can tailor their module choices to area of interest and future plans. Students will learn alongside a cohort of peers with shared academic interests, and will 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.

Research

Doctoral study, which usually results in a PhD or a professional doctorate, typically 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. The university also contains City Doctoral College, which is designed to support those studying for a research degree.

Distance learning

There are several distance learning courses available at City, which means that students do not need to attend lectures in person and can usually choose from a number of starting dates. Distance learning is also beneficial for overseas student who may have issues obtaining a UK visa, allowing City's high-quality curriculum to be studied from anywhere in the world.