Royal Holloway University of London

Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL), formally incorporated as Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, is a public research university and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It has six schools, 21 academic departments and approximately 10,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 100 countries.[4] The campus is located west of Egham, Surrey, 19 miles (31 km) from central London.

The Egham campus was founded in 1879 by the Victorian entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Holloway. Royal Holloway College was officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria as an all-women college. It became a member of the University of London in 1900. In 1945, the college admitted male postgraduate students, and in 1965, around 100 of the first male undergraduates.[5] In 1985, Royal Holloway merged with Bedford College (another former all-women's college in London). The merged college was named Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (RHBNC), this remaining the official registered name of the college by Act of Parliament. The campus is dominated by the Founder's Building, a Grade I listed red-brick building modelled on the Château de Chambord of the Loire Valley, France. The annual income of the institution for 2020–21 was £189.9 million of which £18.8 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £179.2 million.[1]

There are strong links and exchange programmes with institutions in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, notably Yale University, the University of Toronto, the University of Melbourne and the University of Hong Kong.[6] Royal Holloway was a member of the 1994 Group until 2013, when the group dissolved

Royal Holloway, University of London is renowned for its stunning campus, academic excellence, and innovative research. Located in Egham, Surrey, just outside London, it offers a picturesque setting inspired by the Founder's Building, modeled after the Château de Chambord in France. Established in 1879 as one of the first colleges for women, it merged with Bedford College in 1985 and became part of the University of London federation.

Academic Strengths

Royal Holloway excels in several disciplines, consistently ranking high in national and international league tables. Key areas include:

• Computer Science and Information Security: Home to the Information Security Group, a world-leading center for cybersecurity research. It pioneered academic programs in this field and hosts the annual Royal Holloway Information Security Lecture series.
• Earth Sciences and Environmental Studies: The Department of Earth Sciences is famous for its geology and geophysics programs, with cutting-edge facilities like the Core Scanning Facility for paleoclimate research.
• Management and Economics: The School of Business and Management offers top-ranked courses, emphasizing entrepreneurship and global business.
• Drama, Theatre, and Film: One of the UK's premier departments, it has produced acclaimed alumni and collaborates with the National Film and Television School.

Research and Innovation

The university is a hub for interdisciplinary research, with strengths in health, digital economy, and classics. It holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and is part of the Athena SWAN charter for gender equality. Notable achievements include breakthroughs in quantum computing and ancient DNA analysis.

Campus Life and Reputation

Beyond academics, Royal Holloway is popular for its vibrant student community, with over 11,000 students from 130 countries. The campus features modern facilities like the Picture Gallery, housing Victorian art, and extensive sports grounds. It's celebrated for employability, with 95% of graduates in work or further study within six months.

Ranking Highlights	Position
QS World University Rankings (2023)	Top 400 globally
Complete University Guide (UK)	Top 30
Guardian University Guide	Top 40

In summary, Royal Holloway combines historic charm with forward-thinking education, making it a popular choice for students seeking a balanced university experience.