UCL Famous Alumni

UCL Famous Alumni

University College London (UCL), founded in 1826, is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary universities; as such, it is little wonder there should be so many famous UCL alumni.

It ranked 9^th in the world in 2024, marking UCL’s 13^th year among the top 10 universities worldwide (2025 QS World University Ranking). Located in the centre of London, UCL’s reputation for academic excellence and commitment to modern thinking is widely acknowledged. In 1878, it was the first university in England to admit women on equal terms to men. 

UCL’s historical significance is deeply interwoven with its progressive ethos. It was the first university to be established in London and pioneered an innovative and forward-thinking educational model where academic merit was prioritised over factors such as religion or gender during admissions. This approach established the foundations for UCL to become the hub for pioneering research and educational excellence across all disciplines, as it is today.

The UCL alumni play a pivotal role in maintaining the university’s legacy and influence. Famous UCL alumni include renowned scientists, politicians, and artists amongst others, helping to extend UCL’s impact far beyond its campus. Their success in a wide range of sectors reflects the quality of education at UCL, reinforcing its status as a world-class institution.

Thinking of applying to UCL? Our guides on how to get into UCL and how hard is it to get into UCL may be useful.

Categories of Notable Alumni 

There are over 430,000 alumni of UCL who serve as ambassadors for the university’s academic excellence across all disciplines. Nevertheless, certain alumni in various fields stand out in particular. To date, 30 Nobel prizes have been awarded to UCL alumni in almost all fields of study. More detail about these Nobel laureates can be found here.

Some notable UCL alumni in each sector of public life include:

Science and Medicine: Francis Crick (Contributed towards the discovery of the structure of DNA)

Politics and Governance: Jomo Kenyatta (First President of Kenya)

Literature and Arts: Christopher Nolan (Acclaimed film director and screenwriter)

Business and Entrepreneurship: Demis Hassabis (Co-founder of DeepMind)

Law and Human Rights: Lord Woolf (Former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales)

Social Sciences and Humanities: Sir John Gurdon (Nobel Prize for his work in cellular reprogramming)

These alumni illustrate the diverse and far-reaching impact of a UCL education, with graduates excelling in various sectors worldwide. It is clear that UCL excels in all educational disciplines.

Read on to explore particular UCL alumni success stories for each discipline. 

Famous UCL Alumni in Politics and Public Service

UCL has a distinguished list of alumni who have made significant contributions to politics and public service globally. Some notable examples include: 

Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi served as leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. 

Jomo Kenyatta

Kenyatta was the first President of Kenya in addition to playing a leading role in Kenya’s struggle for independence. 

Junichiro Koizumi

Prime Minister of Japan (2001 – 2006). He was known for his economic reforms as well as efforts to modernise the Japanese economy. 

Sir Stafford Cripps

Cripps served as British Chancellor of the Exchequer (1947-1950). He was well known for his role in post-World War II economic recovery. 

Importantly there are numerous other UCL alumni who have played pivotal roles in shaping policies and governance structures globally, contributed towards significant political movements and advocated for social change on a global scale. Read more about current UCL Political Science alumni here. 

Notable UCL Alumni in Business and Entrepreneurship

UCL alumni have also made significant contributions to business and entrepreneurship, demonstrating innovation and leadership across various industries. Some notable examples include: 

Demis Hassabis

Co-founder and CEO of DeepMind, a leading artificial intelligence company acquired by Google. 

Harry Bremner

Founder of Tuggs, a subscription pet food brand. Bremner was recognised in the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list in 2024. 

Kaitlin Fritz and Olga Kravchenk

Co-founders of award-winning education technology start up Musemio. 

Richard Brown

Chairman of Eurostar International and former chief executive of Eurostar UK. 

Dame Sharon White

Chair of the John Lewis Partnership and former chief executive of Ofcom. 

These are some examples of individuals embodying the entrepreneurial spirit nurtured at UCL, driving innovation and contributing to economic growth on a global scale. 

Famous UCL Alumni in Science and Technology

Many UCL alumni have contributed remarkably to the fields of science and technology. Some notable examples are listed below: 

Francis Crick

Contributed towards the discovery of the structure of DNA. As such, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. 

Alexander Graham Bell

Inventor of the telephone and pioneer in communication technologies. 

Sir William Ramsay

Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1904) for his discovery of nobel gases.

Kathleen Lonsdale

Discovered the structure of benzene.  

UCL alumni have pushed the boundaries of knowledge and technology, contributing to major advancements that benefit society globally. 

Notable UCL Alumni in Arts and Entertainment

Some of the most famous UCL alumni have achieved widespread acclaim and recognition through their contributions to the arts and entertainment industry. Notable examples include: 

Christopher Nolan 

Acclaimed film director, producer and screenwriter known for films such as Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight trilogy. 

Ricky Gervais

Comedian, actor, writer and producer. Best known for creating and starring in the series The Office and for his work in stand-up comedy. 

Rachel Whiteread

Winner of the Turner prize, Whiteread is a an extraordinarily successful sculptor, best known for her large-scale works and public art installations. 

Jonathan Ross

Television and radio presenter, well known for hosting The Jonathan Ross Show and for his work on BBC Radio. 

These alumni reflect UCL’s influence in nurturing creative talents, many of whom go on to make significant impacts in the arts and entertainment industry globally. To learn more about famous UCL alumni in this field, click here.

Famous UCL Alumni in Sports

While UCL is primarily renowned for its contributions to academia and research, there have also been several famous UCL alumni who have excelled in the field of sports. 

Christine Ohuruogu

British track and field athlete. Ohuruogu won an Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and is also a two-time World Champion in the 400 meters.

Andrew Simpson

British Olympic Games Men’s Star sailing gold medalist (2008). 

Peter Short

Canadian international and Olympic field hockey player

Melanie Wilson

British rower who won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympics. 

These athletes exemplify the diverse talents nurtured at UCL, highlighting the university’s commitment to excellence not only in academics but also in extracurricular pursuits. 

Famous UCL Alumni in Humanitarian Efforts and Activism

UCL alumni have also made significant contributions to humanitarian efforts and activism, addressing critical global issues and advocating for social change. Some notable examples include: 

Mahatma Gandhi

Leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of nonviolent resistance. 

Peter Piot

Co-discoverer of the Ebola virus. He has been instrumental in global health initiatives, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu

A nurse, health care administrator and professor. She has worked extensively in order to address health disparities and advocate for sickle cell disease awareness and treatment. 

These individuals exemplify UCL’s commitment to making a positive impact on society, using their education and platforms to advocate for humanitarian causes. 

Awards and Honours

There have been 30 Nobel Prize laureates amongst UCL’s alumni. Professor Sir Roger Penrose, a UCL mathematics alumnus, was the most recent to receive his prize (2020) for his work relating to black holes. A full list of the 30 Nobel Prize winners can be found here.

Speak to an Admissions Expert