Its distinctiveness is in the dual American and British programmes that it is able to offer. It is the second oldest but largest private university in the country, and is one of six private institutions in the United Kingdom to have been granted taught degree awarding powers. The university is arguably the most international of all universities in the UK with 15% of applicants from within the UK, 10% from the United States and the rest from all over the world. Through its programmes Regent's has a focused international-outreach initiative.

Regent's University London has its campus in Regent's Park, central London. It is one of the two largest groups of buildings in the park, along with the London Zoo, and was built on the site of South Villa, one of the original eight Regent's Park villas.