UCL200: London's oldest university turns 200

ExCo

UCL’s 200th birthday falls on Wednesday 11 February 2026 and begins with a dazzling series of son et lumière* shows. UCL Illuminated is a spectacular immersive experience that will illuminate UCL’s Quad and Wilkins Building with cutting-edge 3D projection mapping, light, music, storytelling and animation.

Throughout this landmark year, an exciting UCL200 programme of bicentennial events is planned. This includes a major new free exhibition – Two Centuries Here – that explores UCL’s past, present and future; a public art programme featuring renowned artist Professor Dame Sonia Boyce RA; and three specially published books – one a history of student life in London, one on UCL’s Bloomsbury buildings and architecture, and one a commemorative volume on research and impact at UCL.

Breaking barriers: UCL first to accept women and all faiths

UCL's foundation on 11 February 1826, located right in the heart of London, established a new type of university. Inspired by the progressive ideas of philosopher Jeremy Bentham, the self-styled ‘London University’ modelled itself as an affordable, modern alternative to the ancient Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

In the following two centuries, UCL broke down educational barriers as the first university to admit students regardless of faith and the first to admit women into higher education alongside men. UCL has since nurtured some of history’s greatest minds, including 33 Nobel Prize winners, and transformed countless lives through scientific breakthroughs.

Our students benefit from a rich, interdisciplinary education – and have done from our early days – and we were one of the first universities to offer subjects such as English, Italian, German, Spanish, Physiology, Chemistry, Law, Geography, Mathematics and Engineering.

And in 2023, UCL East was officially opened on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in Stratford, east London – marking the university’s largest expansion since its founding.

Globally recognised across the sciences, humanities and arts

With a cross-disciplinary approach, UCL researchers address the world’s greatest global challenges, such as climate change, food security, mental health and space exploration, while also accelerating breakthroughs in robotics, AI, fair finance, sustainable cities, and assistive technology.

UCL scientists have pioneered the development of new treatments and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease, prostate cancer and Huntington's disease.

We are also home to the internationally recognised Slade School of Fine Art, whose alumni include Rachel Whiteread, the first woman to win the Turner Prize, and the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, where the term ‘gentrification’ was coined by Ruth Glass in 1964, and the UCL Institute of Education, which has topped the world subject rankings for the past 12 years.

And UCL academia has real-world impact, by informing legislation like the Online Safety Bill, or by commercialising research into one of UCLB’s hundreds of startups and spinout businesses, creating thousands of jobs and bringing investment worth millions into the UK.

UCL President and Provost, Dr Michael Spence said:

“When our founders established UCL 200 years ago, they had a radical vision for a new kind of university, one that was focused not only on expanding knowledge but on putting that knowledge to work for the public good, and open to all regardless of faith or background. That founding ethos has always been fundamental to UCL’s sense of who we are and what we are here to do. Two hundred years later, we have grown into one of the world’s leading universities: solutions-focused, agile and innovative, and working in partnership with people and societies locally, nationally and globally to improve lives.

"Now, in a complex, fast-changing and unpredictable global landscape, the appetite of our community to continue to fulfil our founding philosophy is a strong as ever. For two centuries, UCL has challenged conventional thinking and pushed the boundaries of what a university can be. As we enter our third century, I am hugely confident that the creativity, ambition, resilience and generosity of all who work at UCL will play a key part in shaping a better future for us all.”

How UCL will be celebrating

On 11 February 2026, UCL200 festivities begin with UCL Illuminated – a spectacular son et lumière show that will light up the Quad and Wilkins Building with 3D projection mapping, music and storytelling. The sold-out shows, which run on the evenings of 11, 12 and 13 February 2026, will chronicle UCL’s path from a small community of visionaries on the city’s edge to a global force for learning, research, creativity and innovation.

Two Centuries Here, a major new, free exhibition that explores UCL’s past, present and future, will open on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus. Through photography, objects, artefacts, stories, dialogue, and interactive experiences, the exhibition considers UCL’s progressive origins, far-reaching impact, global community and vibrant future.

Three new open access books will be published to mark the anniversary:

• Student London: A New History of Higher Education in the Capital, a 200‑year history of London told through the lives of its students by Professor Georgina Brewis and Dr Sam Blaxland.
• Survey of London: An architectural history of UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, a special monograph in the renowned Survey of London series by Dr Amy Spencer and Colin Thom.
• UCL at 200: Two Centuries of Insight and Impact,ledby Professor Virginia Mantouvalou.

Throughout 2026, acclaimed interdisciplinary artist, academic and educator Professor Dame Sonia Boyce RA will create UCL’s Legacy Commission, a piece of art that will reflect two centuries of student curiosity and critical thought at UCL. Sonia will look to UCL’s heritage as a place for radical thought, inclusivity and excellence for her piece, which will take pride of place on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus from 2027.

Find out more about the full UCL200 programme of events and ways to get involved.

Top 10 global university with research and economic impact

In 2026, UCL shows no signs of slowing down. Today, it is a European top three and a global top ten university, home to a diverse, dynamic student body of 51,793 students and a global community of 465,000 alumni across 190 countries.

Each year, UCL trains the doctors, teachers, engineers, lawyers and architects of tomorrow. Independent analysis by London Economics** also shows UCL generates around £10bn annually of economic impact across the UK. This includes our research: for every £1m of publicly funded research income, the university produces £11.5m in economic return. In addition, UCL was recently ranked first in the UK for sustainability and third globally.

Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Pro-Provost Bicentennial, said: “UCL continues to be a place of brave ideas and extraordinary opportunity. The year ahead will be a celebration of UCL’s founding values, achievements and impact, and provide an opportunity to look to the future and ensure we continue to shape a better world.”