Gresham College, established as the first institution of higher learning in London, provides free higher education in accordance with its mission and objectives:

• To continue to provide free public lectures of the highest possible standard, focussed on the maintaining of Gresham Professorships in an extensive range of academic disciplines, in accordance with the Vision of Sir Thomas Gresham as expressed in his Will in 1575
• To provide free and open access to new learning of contemporary relevance and interest in the widest possible international sense
• To contribute to society through the provision of stimulating free education, learning and debate, linked to the core value of freedom of thought and expression.

The College receives no government funding but continues to expand, supported by its sponsors, the Worshipful Company of Mercers and the City of London Corporation.