Founded in 1836 , the University at first comprised just two colleges . They were University College London ( founded in 1826 ) , which did not apply religious tests to its students , and King 's College ( founded in 1829 ) , which admitted only members of the Church of England . Founded in 1836 , the University at first comprised just two colleges : University College London , which previously had no official chartered status and did not apply religious tests to its students , and King 's College , which had been chartered since 1829 and which admitted only members of the Church of England .