# List of research institutes in London
Tamtam tracks 51 research institutes headquartered in London. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by UCL, King's College London and Imperial College London. Their median headcount is 1,731. Half of them were founded in 1907 or later.
The research institutes in London listed here are predominantly large universities and medical research centers. Notable examples include UCL, a leading multidisciplinary university, King's College London, known for world-class education and research, and Imperial College London, specializing in science, medicine, engineering, and business. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a prominent university focused on social sciences. Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is dedicated to cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A clear pattern among these organizations is their concentration in London and their focus on higher education and research services. The UK Health Security Agency, founded in 2021, and The Francis Crick Institute, established in 2011, represent some of the newer institutions among those founded in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
π¬π§ London Β· 30 companies Β· Updated Nov 12, 2026
| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [UCL](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ucl) (ucl.ac.uk)
Leading multidisciplinary university in London, promoting academic excellence, inclusive education, and impactful research addressing real-world challenges. | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 24,678 | |
| 2 | [King's College London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/king-s-college-london) (kcl.ac.uk)
Top-ranked university offering world-class education and research, fostering innovation and positive societal impact globally and locally. | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 20,705 | |
| 3 | [Imperial College London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/imperial-college-london) (imperial.ac.uk)
Leading university specializing in science, medicine, engineering, and business, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance knowledge and improve health. | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 18,233 | 1907 |
| 4 | [The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-lse) (lse.ac.uk)
A leading university specializing in the social sciences, committed to excellence and innovation in research and education | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 9,613 | 1895 |
| 5 | [Queen Mary University of London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/queen-mary-university-of-london) (qmul.ac.uk)
A world-leading research university with over 32,000 students from 170+ nationalities, offering 240+ degree programs and recognized for excellent teaching | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 8,803 | 1785 |
| 6 | [Cancer Research UK (CRUK)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/cancer-research-uk-cruk) (cancerresearchuk.org)
Dedicated to cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, funded by public donations to improve survival and quality of life. | Non-profit Organizations | π¬π§ London | 5,433 | |
| 7 | [City St Georgeβs, University of London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/city-st-george-s-university-of-london) (city.ac.uk)
An innovative university in London, transforming lives through education, research, and global impact, with strong ties to business and sustainability | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 5,160 | |
| 8 | [London Business School](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/london-business-school) (london.edu)
Top-ranked business school offering MBA and executive education with global presence, diverse faculty, and extensive alumni network. | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 4,266 | 1964 |
| 9 | [UK Health Security Agency](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/uk-health-security-agency) (www.gov.uk)
The company is an executive agency responsible for planning, preventing, and responding to external health threats at national and global levels | Hospitals and Health Care | π¬π§ London | 3,430 | 2021 |
| 10 | [London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/london-school-of-hygiene-and-tropical-medicine-u-of-london) (lshtm.ac.uk)
Leading public health university with hubs in UK, Uganda, and The Gambia focused on research and postgraduate education for global health. | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 2,522 | 1899 |
| 11 | [SOAS University of London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/soas-university-of-london) (soas.ac.uk)
Inspires students globally to develop ideas for a fairer, sustainable world, fostering critical thinking, language learning, and engagement with international issues. | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 2,322 | 1916 |
| 12 | [Moorfields Eye Hospital, London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/moorfields-eye-hospital-london) (moorfields.nhs.uk)
A leading eye hospital in London providing clinical care, research, and education, treating a wide range of eye conditions and conducting ophthalmic research | Hospitals and Health Care | π¬π§ London | 2,054 | 1804 |
| 13 | [Birkbeck, University of London](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/birkbeck-university-of-london) (bbk.ac.uk)
A prominent research and educational institution in London offering high-quality academics and a bustling evening university experience | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 1,967 | 1823 |
| 14 | [The Francis Crick Institute](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-francis-crick-institute) (crick.ac.uk)
Multidisciplinary scientists conducting innovative biomedical research to understand human health and disease, fostering discovery and future science leaders. | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 1,957 | 2011 |
| 15 | [Natural History Museum](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/natural-history-museum) (nhm.ac.uk)
The company is a leading science research center and visitor attraction with vast collections, expertise, and a mission to tackle global challenges | Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos | π¬π§ London | 1,731 | 1881 |
| 16 | [The Institute of Cancer Research](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-institute-of-cancer-research) (icr.ac.uk)
Leading cancer research organization and postgraduate college focused on cancer discoveries, treatment, and education with a hospital partnership. | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 1,608 | 1909 |
| 17 | [Royal Veterinary College](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/royal-veterinary-college) (rvc.ac.uk)
Largest vet school offering accredited veterinary medicine and nursing programs, leading research, and support through major referral hospitals. | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 1,507 | |
| 18 | [Royal College of Art](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/royal-college-of-art) (rca.ac.uk)
Specialist postgraduate university offering art, design, architecture, and humanities programs focused on innovation, research, and global challenge solutions. | Design Services | π¬π§ London | 1,452 | |
| 19 | [UCL Institute of Education](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ucl-institute-of-education) (ucl.ac.uk)
A leading institution dedicated to education and social science research globally, shaping policy, fostering partnerships, and reducing inequalities through education | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 1,406 | 1902 |
| 20 | [The British Library](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-british-library) (bl.uk)
National library providing access to over 170 million items including historical documents, contemporary media, and digital content for inspiration and research. | Libraries | π¬π§ London | 1,326 | 1973 |
| 21 | [The British Museum](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-british-museum) (britishmuseum.org)
Museum preserving and exhibiting global cultural artifacts, offering educational exhibitions and events to engage millions of visitors annually. | Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos | π¬π§ London | 1,321 | 1753 |
| 22 | [Zoological Society of London (ZSL)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/zoological-society-of-london-zsl) (zsl.org)
Science-driven conservation organisation restoring wildlife, protecting species, restoring ecosystems, collaborating globally, inspiring support, and creating sustainable solutions. | Non-profit Organizations | π¬π§ London | 1,135 | 1826 |
| 23 | [National Centre for Social Research](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/national-centre-for-social-research-london) (natcen.ac.uk)
The National Centre for Social Research conducts independent, not-for-profit social research to give the public a voice in shaping impactful services | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 798 | 1969 |
| 24 | [Bayes Business School](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bayes-business-school) (bayes.citystgeorges.ac.uk)
A leading global business school offering world-class business education, cutting-edge research, and strong connections with the business world | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 785 | |
| 25 | [RSSB](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rssb) (rssb.co.uk)
An independent safety, standards, and research body for Britain's rail network, improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and best practices | Rail Transportation | π¬π§ London | 758 | 2003 |
| 26 | [Cochrane](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/cochrane-london) (cochrane.org)
A global network providing high-quality research summaries to empower healthcare decision-making, free from commercial influence for over 30 years | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 698 | 1993 |
| 27 | [Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institute-of-psychiatry-psychology-and-neuroscience) (kcl.ac.uk)
A leading research and education center in Europe for psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience, focusing on understanding, preventing, and treating mental and neurological conditions | Research Services | π¬π§ London | 676 | |
| 28 | [The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-royal-central-school-of-speech-and-drama) (cssd.ac.uk)
Specialist conservatoire within University of London offering theatre and performance degrees, combining practical training, production, and cutting-edge research in the field | Performing Arts | π¬π§ London | 610 | 1906 |
| 29 | [Trinity Laban](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/trinity-laban) (trinitylaban.ac.uk)
In 2005, Trinity College of Music and Laban merged to create the world-leading conservatoire of music and dance in the UK | Higher Education | π¬π§ London | 568 | |
| 30 | [Genomics England](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/genomics-england) (genomicsengland.co.uk)
collaboration with NHS to integrate genomic testing into routine healthcare, supporting research and development of targeted medicines | Biotechnology Research | π¬π§ London | 566 | 2013 |
## How this list is built
Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.
## More company lists in London
- [The largest companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-london) (12,882)
- [Multinational companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-london) (3,652)
- [Financial Services companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-companies-london) (1,862)
- [Financial services firms in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-london) (1,824)
- [SaaS companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/saas-companies-london) (1,615)
- [Professional services firms in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/professional-services-firms-london) (1,248)
- [Software Development companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/software-development-companies-london) (1,217)
- [Retail chains in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-london) (942)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-london) (693)
- [Companies with a mobile app in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-london) (667)
- [Consulting firms in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/consulting-firms-london) (648)
- [IT services companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-companies-london) (607)
- [Subscription businesses in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/subscription-businesses-london) (544)
- [Venture capital and private equity firms in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/vc-and-private-equity-firms-london) (539)
- [Marketing and communications agencies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/marketing-agencies-london) (533)
- [Retail Apparel and Fashion companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-apparel-and-fashion-companies-london) (498)
- [Advertising Services companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/advertising-services-companies-london) (480)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-london) (477)
- [AI companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ai-companies-london) (456)
- [Investment Management companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/investment-management-companies-london) (452)
- [Hotel and hospitality groups in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-london) (445)
- [Luxury brands in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/luxury-brands-london) (428)
- [AI-native companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ai-native-companies-london) (407)
- [E-commerce companies in London](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-london) (384)
## The same list elsewhere in United Kingdom
- [Research institutes in the United Kingdom](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-united-kingdom) (216)
- [Research institutes in England](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-england) (177)
## The same list elsewhere
- [Research institutes in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-in-the-world) (5,686)
- [Research institutes in Europe](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-in-europe) (2,713)
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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-london