About > University of London > Factfile Factfile Founded by Royal Charter in 1836. 115,000 students study in London. The external programme Established in 1858. The University is committed to academic excellence. Qualifications are subjected to rigorous quality assurance. The first university to offer degrees at a distance. 32,000 registered external students. Students studying in 180 countries. Degree of international repute. All students are awarded the same qualification regardless of mode or place of study. There is no ‘external degree’. Students are considered as external students studying the internal degree. Examinations are held worldwide. Lead colleges and academic direction The Programme maintains the high standard of the University by directly involving academic staff at the Colleges of the University in continually developing new and existing courses. Most of the qualifications within the external programme have a ‘Lead College’ providing academic support. These Lead Colleges have responsibility for all academic aspects of their respective programmes. They are directly involved in preparation of syllabi and study guides, setting and marking examination papers, advising students and institutions and finally ensuring that students are examined to the same standards as at the colleges and the University of London as a whole. About the London School of Economics About Goldsmith College