Mission and Values
The University of London – pioneering unique forms of education and research that transform lives and society.
Our history
We were the first university to admit students regardless of their gender, race or religion, the first to admit women to degree programme special examinations and, in 1865, the first to give students the opportunity to study our degrees anywhere across the globe.
Find out more about our history.
The University of London is Unique
We are a federation of 17 world-leading universities.
Our mission
- To transform people’s lives through education, driven by a commitment to diversity, inclusion and access and a belief in their power to create new ways of knowing.
- To deliver innovative training and postgraduate education for the new world of research and work.
- To realise the benefits of the humanities and social sciences for society, to advocate for their importance, and to provide the intellectual infrastructure to enable new discoveries.
- To draw on the expertise of our Federation members, leveraging our collective power and enabling us all to reach new constituencies and tackle new problems.
- To strengthen bonds across regional, national, cultural, economic and political boundaries.
Our values
- Enabling social good – societal advancement is in our heritage and our DNA. We are enablers of public and social good through the promotion of deeper, shared understanding.
- The power of collaboration – harnessing the firepower of our network, connecting across our collective in, for and from London.
- Reaching for new horizons – actively learning from our progressive past, encouraging individuals to realise their potential.
Our students
- An inclusive and diverse community of 48,000 students in 190 countries; Campuses in London and Paris; over 110 Recognised Teaching Centres in 42 countries; studying face-to-face and online; over 1 million alumni.
- A network supported by our staff and alumni who help them develop their study skills and deepen their learning; develop their employability skills and look after their health and wellbeing. We continue to offer bursaries and forms of financial support and support them in volunteering and giving back.
- Over 3,500 students in intercollegiate halls in London, from across Member Institutions, enjoying the best pastoral care and personal development programmes to help prepare students for independent life.