The University of London is unlike many other universities. It consists of 18 self-governing Colleges and 9 specialist research Institutes. The Colleges are considered universities in their own right; they set their own entrance criteria for their courses and they offer their own services to students. Some now also have their own degree awarding powers. All students from all the Colleges and Institutes are also University of London students, making them part of a community of over 170,000 students and giving them access to many services in London.