Notable UK university alumni

Jim Al-Khalili

theoretical physicist · b. 1962

British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster

University of Surrey

Jimmy Finlayson

film actor · 1887–1953

Scottish actor (1887–1953)

The University of Edinburgh

Joe Jackson

recording artist · b. 1954

English musician

Royal Academy of Music, University of London

John Addington Symonds

literary critic · 1840–1893

British poet, literary critic and cultural historian (1840–1893)

University of Oxford

John Anderson

explorer · 1833–1900

Scottish anatomist and zoologist who worked in India as the curator of the Indian Museum (1833–1900)

The University of Edinburgh

John Claudius Loudon

non-fiction writer · 1782–1843

Scottish botanist (1782-1843)

The University of Edinburgh

John Dankworth

jazz musician · 1927–2010

British musician (1927-2010)

Royal Academy of Music, University of London

English philosopher of religion and theologian (1922-2012)

The University of Edinburgh

John Illsley

pop musician · b. 1949

English musician

Goldsmiths, University of London

John Jeffries

meteorologist · 1744–1819

Boston physician, scientist, and military surgeon

University of Aberdeen

John McDowell

philosopher · b. 1942

South African philosopher and academic

ARU London

John Obadiah Westwood

scientific collector · 1805–1893

English entomologist and archaeologist (1805-1893)

University of Oxford

John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan

trade unionist · b. 1947

British politician (born 1947)

Open University

John Robison

philosopher · 1739–1805

Scottish physicist and mathematician (1739–1805)

University of Glasgow

John Walter Gregory

explorer · 1864–1932

British geologist and explorer (1864–1932)

Birkbeck, University of London

Jorma Ollila

business executive · b. 1950

Finnish businessman

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

José Padilha

manufacturer · b. 1967

Brazilian film director

University of Oxford

Julia Donaldson

literary editor · b. 1948

English children's writer

University of Bristol

Julia McKenzie

librettist · b. 1941

British actress, presenter, director, writer

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Karekin I

cleric · 1932–1999

Catholicoi of Armenia (1932–1999)

University of Oxford

Kimberley Walsh

film actor · b. 1981

British singer and actress

Leeds Trinity University

L. S. Lowry

printmaker · 1887–1976

British visual artist (1887–1976)

Manchester Metropolitan University · University of Salford

Linah Mohohlo

banker · 1952–2021

Botswana banker

University of Exeter

Linton Kwesi Johnson

reggae musician · b. 1952

Jamaican dub poet

Goldsmiths, University of London

Lisa Nandy

politician · b. 1979

British politician (born 1979)

Newcastle University

Lynn Davies

athletics competitor · b. 1942

Welsh long jumper and 1964 Olympic champion

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Lyra McKee

journalist · 1990–2019

Northern Irish journalist (1990-2019)

Birmingham City University

Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince Father

military personnel · 1892–1929

Thai prince (1892–1929)

The University of Edinburgh

Maria Bamford

film actor · b. 1970

American actress

The University of Edinburgh

Martin Shaw

rally driver · b. 1945

British actor

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)

Martin Suter

copywriter · b. 1948

Swiss writer, playwright, screenwriter and publicist

ARU London

Martin van Creveld

military historian · b. 1946

Israeli military historian and theorist

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Mawra Hocane

model · b. 1992

Pakistani Film & TV Actress

ARU London

Meena Alexander

essayist · 1951–2018

poet, scholar, and writer (1951-2018)

University of Nottingham

Mehmet Şimşek

politician · b. 1967

Turkish economist and statesperson (born 1967)

University of Exeter

Michael Balint

psychoanalyst · 1896–1970

Hungarian psychoanalyst (1896–1970)

The University of Edinburgh

Myra Hess

music educator · 1890–1965

British pianist (1890–1965)

Guildhall School of Music & Drama · Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Nader al-Dahabi

politician · b. 1946

Jordanian politician

Cranfield University

Naomi Oreskes

historian of science · b. 1958

American historian, scientist, academic

Imperial College London

English-American chemist (1932-2008)

Durham University · Newcastle University

Nimco Ali

activist · b. 1983

Somali social activist, training consultant

University of Bristol

Nonso Anozie

film actor · b. 1978

British actor

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London

American journalist (1963-2004)

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Peter Hitchens

blogger · b. 1951

English journalist and author (born 1951)

University of York

Peter Obi

banker · b. 1961

Nigerian politician and businessman (born 1961)

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Belgian prince

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg

aristocrat · b. 1963

Luxemborgian prince

University of Oxford

Raymond Firth

academic · 1901–2002

ethnologist from New Zealand

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Reginald Johnston

sinologist · 1874–1938

British diplomat and academic (1874–1938)

The University of Edinburgh

British composer and pianist (1936-2012)

Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Robert Darwin

physician · 1766–1848

English medical doctor; father of naturalist Charles Darwin

The University of Edinburgh

Roger Allam

radio drama actor · b. 1953

British actor

University of Manchester

Ruth Porat

financier · b. 1957

Chief financial officer of Google

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

English fashion designer (born 1974)

Manchester Metropolitan University

Sarah Höfflin

freestyle skier · b. 1991

Swiss freestyle skier

Cardiff University

Shefali Chowdhury

film actor · b. 1988

British actress

Birmingham City University

Sheila Hancock

film actor · b. 1933

British actress

Open University

Spencer Davis

guitarist · 1939–2020

British musician (1939–2020)

University of Birmingham

Stereo Mike

musicologist · b. 1978

Greek singer

Leeds Beckett University · University of Westminster, London

British javelin thrower

Loughborough University