The University of London was established in 1836 by Royal Charter, although several of its Institutions were founded hundreds of years earlier. It is, therefore, one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom.

As a federation of over 20 Colleges and Institutes serving in the region of 100,000 Internal students, it is known worldwide for the quality of its teaching and advanced research.

The University also has a thriving External Programme which was established in 1858 to make the University of London degree accessible to students who, for one reason or another, could not come to the University to study in the conventional way.

Studying by distance learning provides an attractive option for those with financial constraints, commitments to work and family or lack of local access to higher education. Today, more than 34,000 External students in over 190 countries across the world are registered for a wide range of University of London qualifications. For many hopeful students gaining such a qualification has been a long term ambition which, through the External Programme, they are now able to realize.