Hallmarks of the programme are its low cost in comparison to attendance in London, and the possibility of pursuing either full-time or part-time study.

[11] A student who completes a course of study under the programme is awarded a University of London degree with a notation specifying which lead institution provided the instruction.

The institution – following the Scottish model in curriculum and teaching – was non-denominational and, given the intense religious rivalries at the time, there was an outcry against the "godless" university.

As Sheldon Rothblatt states, "thus arose in nearly archetypal form the famous English distinction between teaching and examining, here embodied in separate institutions.

We do further will and ordain, That persons not educated in any of the said Institutions connected with the said University shall be admitted as Candidates for Matriculation, and for any of the Degrees hereby authorized to be conferred by the said University of London other than Medical Degrees, on such conditions as the said Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Fellows, by regulations in that behalf shall from time to time determine, such Regulations being subject to the Provisoes and Restrictions herein contained.

[24] The external system continued to expand from its London base with examinations for non-collegiate students[23] held in Gibraltar (1867), Canada (1868), Tasmania and West Indies (1869), India (1880), Ceylon (1882), Hong Kong (1888), with 18 centres worldwide by 1899.

[26] The External System also played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of "special relations".

[20] Because the Geneva Convention (1929) stipulated that every prisoner of war, in addition to being entitled to adequate food and medical care, had the right to exchange correspondence and receive parcels, many British POWs took advantage of this opportunity and enrolled in the University of London External Programme.

[32] With the advent of inexpensive airmail services after the war, the number of external students taking University of London courses increased dramatically.

[9] A designated constituent institution of the University of London, called the "lead college", creates materials to allow students to study at their own pace.

Since 2019, coursework and forum participation can make up a percentage of the overall assessment in addition to in-person or online examinations, depending on the degree and modules studied.

Hallmarks of the programme are its low cost in comparison to attendance in London, and the possibility of pursuing either full-time or part-time study.

[11] A student who completes a course of study under the program is awarded a University of London degree with a notation specifying which lead college provided the instruction.

There are more than 9,000 students enrolled in the programme in Singapore notably the SIM Global Education,[35] 5,000 in Hong Kong,[36] 3,000 in Trinidad and Tobago,[37] 2,000 in Malaysia,[38] 1,900 in Pakistan,[39] 1,200 in Bangladesh,[40] 800 in Sri Lanka,[41] 1,000 in Canada,[42] between 1,000 and 1,999 in the United States,[43] 300 in Malta,[44] more than 200 in Australia, more than 200 in South Africa, more than 30 in New Zealand and many hundreds in India,[45] among other countries.

Students can either decide to study entirely by themselves, or to enjoy the administrative and academic support of the institutions that are recognised by the University of London for the International Programmes.

Registered Centres have demonstrated commitment to developing high standards in respect of teaching, support to students and administrative processes.

Affiliate Centres have demonstrated a sustained commitment to developing excellence in respect of quality of teaching, support to students and administrative processes.

The University of London external system has played an important role in the development of higher education institutions in Britain.

In 2012, University of London International Programmes became the first British higher education institution to join Coursera and offer mass open online courses through their platform.