London Metropolitan University

London Metropolitan University, commonly known as London Met, is a public university in London, England. It was established in 2002 through the merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London, the first university merger in the UK. However, its educational heritage dates back to 1848 with the founding of the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men.

The university operates two main campuses: Holloway Road in the London Borough of Islington and Aldgate in the City of London. It houses six academic schools: Guildhall School of Business and Law, School of Computing and Digital Media, School of Human Sciences, School of Social Professions, School of Social Sciences, and the School of Art, Architecture and Design.

London Met is known for its commitment to widening access to education, with a highly diverse student population. In the 2023–24 academic year, it enrolled over 14,000 UK-based higher education students representing 150 nationalities, with a large proportion of mature and part-time learners. The university employs over 880 staff members and promotes equity and inclusion through initiatives like the Centre for Equity and Inclusion.

London Met offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, supported by modern facilities including the advanced Science Centre and Super Lab. It also invests significantly in scholarships and international partnerships.

In global and national rankings, the university holds varied positions, including 93rd in The Guardian University Guide 2025 and within the 1001–1200 bracket in QS World University Rankings 2025. The university remains focused on inclusive, professionally aligned education for a global student body.

London Metropolitan University, commonly referred to as London Met, was officially established in 2002 through the merger of two institutions: the University of North London and London Guildhall University. This was the first merger of two universities in the United Kingdom. Despite its recent formal establishment, the University’s educational roots extend back to 1848.

In 1848, the Bishop of London, Charles James Blomfield, called upon the clergy to establish evening classes for young men, aiming to improve their intellectual and moral conditions. In response, the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men were launched at Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate, with an initial fee of one shilling per session. These classes attracted royal patronage when Prince Albert visited in 1851. Enrolments increased rapidly, reaching 800 by 1861, prompting the establishment of the City of London College.

The City of London College expanded and became a pioneer in commercial and technical education. In 1891, it joined with Birkbeck Institute and the Northampton Institute to form the City Polytechnic, although the federation proved ineffective and dissolved in 1906. The college was then brought under the supervision of the London County Council.

During the Second World War, the college building was destroyed in a German air raid in 1940. The institution relocated to Electra House on Moorgate in 1944. By 1970, it merged with Sir John Cass College to form the City of London Polytechnic, later joined by the London College of Furniture in 1990. Following the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, it gained university status and was renamed London Guildhall University. It was unaffiliated with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Meanwhile, the northern campus began in 1896 with the establishment of the Northern Polytechnic Institute in Holloway. This institution merged with the North Western Polytechnic in 1971 to become the Polytechnic of North London. It too was awarded university status in 1992 and renamed the University of North London.

The two universities merged on 1 August 2002, forming London Metropolitan University. A launch ceremony was held at the Mansion House in 2003, attended by the then Patron, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was awarded the University’s first honorary degree.

The University expanded its academic infrastructure in the early 2000s. Notable developments included the opening of the Graduate School, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, and the Goulston Street building for law courses in 2004. In 2006, a new Science Centre opened at the Holloway campus, featuring a Super Lab with 280 individual workstations and advanced facilities for science education.

In 2007, the University launched the London Metropolitan Business School. In 2008, the University became a pre-Games training facility for the London 2012 Olympics. That same year, the 14th Dalai Lama was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy. This decision led to diplomatic tensions with China, culminating in a formal apology from the University’s Vice-Chancellor.

London Met faced a significant funding crisis in 2008 when it was revealed that the University had misreported student drop-out data. As a result, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) sought to recover £56 million in overpayments. Vice-Chancellor Brian Roper resigned in March 2009, though he continued to receive a salary until the end of the year. An independent inquiry attributed primary responsibility to Roper and criticised the Board of Governors for oversight failures.

In response to the financial situation, a review of the University’s academic programmes was initiated. In 2011, the University announced a major restructuring of undergraduate education, reducing the number of courses and transitioning to year-long modules to increase learning continuity.

In 2012, the University’s highly trusted sponsor status for international student visas was revoked by the UK Border Agency. The decision affected thousands of non-EU students. The University pursued legal action, and the sponsorship licence was reinstated in April 2013. The legal case against the Home Office was later settled without proceeding to judicial review.

London Metropolitan University has also seen significant changes in leadership. Professor Malcolm Gillies became Vice-Chancellor in 2010, followed by Professor John Raftery in 2014, and Professor Lynn Dobbs in 2018. Under Professor Dobbs’ leadership, the University made institutional reforms including the 2020 decision to remove the name of Sir John Cass from its School of Art, Architecture and Design due to his historical association with the transatlantic slave trade. The Centre for Equity and Inclusion was also launched in the same year.

The University has a presence across London, with main campuses in Holloway and Aldgate. It comprises six academic schools: Guildhall School of Business and Law, School of Computing and Digital Media, School of Human Sciences, School of Social Professions, School of Social Sciences, and the School of Art, Architecture and Design.

Over time, London Met has attracted students from over 150 nationalities. In the academic year 2023–24, it had 14,039 UK-based higher education students, with 54% undergraduates and 46% postgraduates. The student population was also notable for its diversity: 66% identified as from a minoritised background, 71% were mature students, and 61% were female.

The university invests over £700,000 annually in scholarships and has offices in cities including Beijing, Delhi, Dhaka, Lagos, Lahore, and Chennai. It maintains student exchange programmes supported by Erasmus and collaborates with institutions across the US and Europe.

London Metropolitan University has experienced fluctuating rankings in national and international league tables. In 2025, it ranked 127th in the Complete University Guide, 93rd in The Guardian University Guide, and was placed in the 1001–1200 bracket in the QS World University Rankings. The Times Higher Education ranked it in the 601–800 range globally.

London Metropolitan University offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across six academic schools. These programmes are designed to equip students with practical knowledge and academic foundations relevant to a wide variety of careers.

The Guildhall School of Business and Law provides courses in business management, accounting, finance, economics, human resource management, marketing, events management, international business, and law. Law programmes include both undergraduate LLB degrees and postgraduate LLM options, along with specialised diplomas and professional development courses. Business courses cover areas such as corporate governance, entrepreneurship, and business analytics.

The School of Computing and Digital Media offers courses in computer science, cybersecurity, game programming, data science, web development, creative technologies, and artificial intelligence. Programmes in digital media include digital film production, animation, media and communications, and journalism. Students can pursue both BSc and MSc qualifications, with options for placements and industry projects.

The School of Human Sciences covers health, sport, psychology, and biosciences. Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are available in biomedical science, dietetics, nutrition, sports science, exercise and health, and psychology. The university's Science Centre houses the Super Lab, providing facilities for practical and lab-based training. Several of these programmes are accredited by professional bodies such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The School of Social Professions focuses on education, social work, early childhood studies, youth work, and community development. Courses include initial teacher training, education studies, and social work degrees approved by regulatory bodies such as Social Work England. The school provides a strong emphasis on placement and field-based learning.

The School of Social Sciences offers courses in criminology, international relations, sociology, politics, public administration, and community development. These programmes provide students with analytical and research skills suited to public service, policy-making, and third-sector careers. Undergraduate and postgraduate pathways are available, including specialised MA programmes.

The School of Art, Architecture and Design delivers degrees in architecture, fashion, textiles, graphic design, interior design, fine art, and jewellery. The school, formerly named after Sir John Cass, is located in Aldgate and is known for hands-on studio-based learning. Many of these courses are supported by industry placements, exhibitions, and live projects.

London Metropolitan University’s rankings vary across different national and international league tables. In the Complete University Guide 2025, London Met is ranked 127th among UK universities. This guide considers factors such as entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects.

According to The Guardian University Guide 2025, the university is placed 93rd. On the global scale, QS World University Rankings 2025 places London Metropolitan University within the 1001–1200 bracket. The QS rankings consider academic reputation, employer reputation, international student ratio, and faculty-student ratio.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 list London Met in the 601–800 range globally. THE evaluates universities based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income.

In previous years, the university had mixed results. It was ranked 118th out of 120 universities in The Guardian University Guide 2013. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) placed London Met equal 107th out of 132 institutions, according to Times Higher Education.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Graduate Outcomes survey for the 2020–21 cohort, approximately 80% of London Met graduates were engaged in employment or unpaid work 15 months after graduation. This figure is slightly below the UK average of 82% for higher education graduates during the same period. Within this group, 53% were in full-time employment, 16% in part-time roles, and 9% were employed while also undertaking full-time study.

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