During the 19th and early 20th centuries, students who attended other institutions took University of London examinations as external students.
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Archives and Manuscripts
Our archive holdings contain 1,800 collections, including the University of London student and military service archives
Search for archives and manuscripts via the Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue. Use the 'Request' button to order items. View items in the Special Collections Reading Room (open weekdays, Monday to Friday, days, 10am - 4pm).
Our archive holdings contain 1,800 collections, including the University of London student and military service archives. There's a wealth of primary research material relating to politics, society, the arts and humanities.
Free access to the archives and special collections
In addition to our regular memberships, we offer a free day ticket for researchers accessing archives, manuscripts or special collections. (This ticket is not valid for accessing other areas or resources within the Library.) Proof of address and photo ID is required.
More about the Archives and Manuscripts
How it works
- Readers are advised to consult staff by email or phone before they visit.
- Archives, manuscripts and artefacts are available for consultation by appointment only, and with one full working day’s notice.
- The cut-off point for making appointments is 4pm. Any messages after this time will be dealt with the following working day (and archives therefore produced for the day after that).
- Material may be ordered in advance by email, telephone, letter or in person using request slips in the Special Collections Reading Room.
- Orders are normally restricted to a maximum of six files per fetch. Material is fetched at specific times of the day, Monday to Friday, and kept on reserve by prior arrangement.
- Your Library card will be taken in exchange for documents issued. Please do not hesitate to contact Special Collections staff if you have a query.
- Certain precautions are applied to protect unique and often fragile documents as they must be handled carefully to ensure their future preservation. All material is read under supervision in the Special Collections Reading Room where security cameras are also in operation.
- Readers are asked to leave bags in the lockers provided and to use pencils when taking notes. No eating, drinking or chewing gum is allowed. New readers are asked to complete a registration card with brief details of their research interests. These can be mutually helpful.
- Portable computers may be used unless keyboard noise proves a distraction to others.
- Photocopies can be obtained or a digital scanning service is available, providing the material is deemed fit by the member of staff on duty or the Conservator. An order form should then be filled in. Photocopying is done by Library staff and readers should allow at least 3 working days before collection.
shl.specialcollections@london.ac.uk | 020 7862 8470
Senate House Library
External resource links
- AAD : Access to Archival Databases (from the National Archives and Records Administration)
- AIM25: archives in London and the M25 area
- Archives Hub
- Archives Network Wales
- Archives Portal Europe
- Discovery
- Digital catalogue of illuminated manuscripts (British Library)
- International Association of Labour History Institutions
- International Council on Archives
- Location register of 20th century English literary manuscripts and letters
- National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office and Historical Manuscripts Commission)
- National Archives of Ireland
- Rascal: Research and Special Collections Available Locally
- Scottish Archive Network
- Scottish Documents
- Social History Portal
- Yorkshire Quaker Heritage Project
All archive users are required to sign a declaration that they will comply with the UK data protection legislation with regard to their processing of personal data contained within archives held at Senate House Library.
Processing of personal data covers a wide range of activities, from actively obtaining, recording, using (including publishing), amending, and destroying them. It also includes the passive retention of data.
When carrying out any of these activities, users should take safeguarding measures to ensure that only the minimum amount of personal data necessary for research is processed. Such measures could include
- anonymization (the removal of personal identifiers, both direct and indirect, that may lead to an individual being identified), and
- pseudonymisation (the processing of personal data in such a way that it can no longer be to attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information).
For more information on this safeguarding (PDF).
Any processing which is likely to cause substantial damage or substantial distress to a data subject will not meet legal safeguarding requirements. Substantial damage or substantial distress may be defined respectively as financial loss or physical harm, and a level of upset or emotional or mental pain that goes beyond annoyance or irritation.
Similarly, any processing which is carried out for the purposes of measures or decisions with respect to a particular data subject (unless for the purpose of approved medical research) will not meet legal safeguarding requirements.
The results of research should not be made available in a form that identifies any data subjects without the authorisation in writing of the data subject to the data controller.
For further guidance, see the University of London’s ‘Data Protection and Academic Research Policy and Guidance’.