Education in London facts for kids
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London is a really important place for education around the world. It has one of the biggest groups of international students of any city. Many young people come here to learn and grow.
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Universities in London
London has the largest number of students compared to any other city in Britain. It's a huge hub for higher education.
The University of London is a very large group of universities working together. It has over 120,000 students. This makes it one of the biggest teaching universities in the UK. It's also one of the largest universities in all of Europe.
This big university group includes 19 different colleges and 12 special institutes. It also has a system for students who learn from a distance. Each college within the University of London can make its own decisions. They handle their own student applications and degree courses. This means they act like universities on their own.
Some of the biggest and most famous colleges in the University of London are:
- University College London
- King's College London
- Birkbeck
- Queen Mary
- London School of Economics
- Royal Holloway
- Goldsmiths
- City
- Institute of Education
There are also smaller schools and institutes. These have fewer than 5,000 students. Examples include the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and the London Business School.
Before 2007, most of these colleges gave out degrees from the University of London itself. But now, some of the larger colleges, like King's College London and University College London, give out their own degrees. Imperial College London used to be part of the University of London. However, it became a separate university in 2007.
There are many other universities in London that are not part of the University of London. Many of these used to be "polytechnics." These were colleges that focused on practical subjects. They became full universities in 1992.
Some of these independent universities include:
- University of Westminster
- London South Bank University
- University of Greenwich
- Middlesex University
- London Metropolitan University
- Brunel University
- University of West London
- University of East London
London also has many special schools. These include branches of universities from outside London. There are also private universities and training colleges.
University Research
London is a top place for research. Research means studying things deeply to discover new knowledge. Universities like Imperial College London, King's College London, LSE, and UCL are world leaders in research. They are known globally for their important discoveries.
Many of Britain's main groups for learning are based in London. The Royal Institution is a very old and important place. It helps people gain scientific knowledge through study and research.
Other Places for Higher Education
Besides universities, London has other places that offer education. These places can help you get a degree. However, the degrees are usually given by a university they work with. Some of these colleges are private. They are much like universities. Examples include European Business School and Regents University.
Further Education
London also has many "further education" (FE) colleges. These colleges are for students aged 16 and older. They offer different types of courses. Some courses help students get ready for university. Other courses teach skills for specific jobs.
Many London areas have schools that include a "sixth form." A sixth form is where students aged 16 to 18 study. They prepare for university or other higher education. Some areas have special sixth form colleges. These are separate from regular schools.
Arts Education
London is the best place in Britain to study the arts. This includes music, drama, and art and design.
London has four main music schools, called conservatories:
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Academy of Music
- Trinity College of Music
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Other famous drama schools include Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). There is also the Central School of Speech and Drama.
For art and design, some well-known schools are:
- Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
- Chelsea College of Art and Design
- Camberwell College of Arts
- Wimbledon School of Art
- London College of Communication
- London College of Fashion
Many of these art schools are part of the University of the Arts London.
Medical Education
London is also a very important place for medical education. This means training to become a doctor or other healthcare professional. London's medical schools are connected to big hospitals. Some of these schools are hundreds of years old.
Recently, some medical schools have joined together. Now there are five main medical schools in London:
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- King's College London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Imperial College School of Medicine
- University College London Medical School
- St George's Hospital Medical School
Multiculturalism in Schools
London is known for being a very diverse city. People from many different countries and cultures live here. Many schools in London teach foreign languages. This helps students learn about different cultures.
Schools
"Public schools" in England are actually private schools. They charge fees for students to attend. Some famous public schools in London are:
- Harrow
- City of London School
- University College School
- Westminster
- Highgate School
- King's College School, Wimbledon
- Merchant Taylors' School
- St Paul's School
London also has many international schools. These schools teach students from other countries. They often follow the curriculum of their home country. Examples include:
- The American School in London
- German School London
- Japanese School in London
- Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle (French school)
The Japanese school in London also has a weekend program. This helps Japanese students who go to British schools.
Student Housing
Many students in London need a place to live. Sometimes, the housing offered by universities is limited. Also, many international students have good financial resources. This has led to companies building lots of student housing. These companies help students find a place to stay while they study in London.
