Best Universities in the UK

Top 20 Universities in the UK

The following list is a list of universities that are ranked among the top universities in the United Kingdom. Many of the members on the list are "Russel Group" Universities, and belong to the United Kingdom version of the Ivy League in the U.S. Russel Group universities receive a large amount of research funding from the government. There are many different critria which can be used to select a university and ranking can be just one of them. Other factors include quality of life, subject ranking a many other factors. Choosing a university in the UK is a difficult decision however our counsellors are trained to help you find the one which is most suitable for you. Our counselling is free so please contact us now!

1. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is also regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. The University of Oxford has 39 independent Colleges and Halls. The University of Oxford traces its roots back to at least the end of the 12th century, although the exact date of foundation remains unclear. After a dispute between students and townsfolk broke o...Read the full profile for University of Oxford

2. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University), located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. The name is sometimes abbreviated as Cantab. in post-nominals, a shortened form of Cantabrigiensis (an adjective derived from Cantabrigia, the Latinised form of Cambridge).The University of Cambridge grew out of an association of scholars in the city...Read the full profile for University of Cambridge

3. Imperial College London

Imperial College London (officially The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine as given in its Royal Charter) is a British university in London which was placed 5th overall in the world in the 2007 THES - QS World University Rankings of universities world-wide. It is one of only three universities to have reached second place in any of the major British newspaper league rankings when Imperial College beat Oxford University in The Times 1999 and 2000 tables to ...Read the full profile for Imperial College London

4. University of St Andrews

Founded in 1413, St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the UK. Only Oxford and Cambridge have a longer history among British universities. The history of the town of St Andrews has long been intertwined with the fortunes of its University. By the middle of the sixteenth century the University of St Andrews University had three colleges called St Salvator's, St Leonard's, and St Mary's: the buildings ...Read the full profile for University of St Andrews

5. London School of Economics

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is renowned as a world class centre for its concentration of teaching and research across the full range of the social, political and economic sciences. Founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, the LSE has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. The London School of Economics and Political Science is the UK’s most international university. More than half of the LSE’s students are classifie...Read the full profile for London School of Economics

6. University of Durham

Durham University was established in 1832, making it the third oldest in England. Since then Durham University has grown in size and prestige to its current position as one of the UK's leading universities, regularly placed in the top 10 UK universities by league tables. Durham University is a world-class university engaged in: high-quality teaching and learning advanced research and partnership with business regional and community partner...Read the full profile for University of Durham

7. University College London

University College London (UCL) is a multi-faculty university institution based in the United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London. Ranked among the top ten universities in the world, it was founded in 1826, as London University, and was the first British university institution established on a secular basis and also the first to admit students regardless of race, class, religion and gender. In 1836, London University and King’s College London est...Read the full profile for University College London

8. University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a British campus university located on the outskirts of Coventry, West Midlands, England and is regarded as one of the country's leading universities. The University of Warwick was established in 1965 and in 2000 Warwick Medical School was opened as part of an initiative to train more doctors in Britain. In the last Research Assessment Exercise the University was the 5th highest-ranked research institution in the UK. The University of W...Read the full profile for University of Warwick

9. University of York

The University of York is a campus university in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, York has expanded to more than 30 departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects. In the last Research Assessment Exercise York was named the 6th best research institution in the United Kingdom. Situated on the outskirts of the city, the University of York campus is approximately 200 acres (0.81 km2) in size, incorporating the York Science Park and the Natio...Read the full profile for University of York

10. Lancaster University

Lancaster University is located in the north west of England near the major cities of Manchester and Liverpool. It was established in the 1960s as a collegiate university with an early reputation for innovation. At the time, the campus model of university was a fairly new concept in the UK. Students at Lancaster University were, and still are expected to take three subjects during their first year. This highly flexible scheme enables new undergraduate students to study thr...Read the full profile for Lancaster University

11. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The University of Edinburgh was the sixth university to be established in the British Isles, making it one of the ancient universities of Scotland and Britain. The University of Edinburgh is amongst the largest and most prestigious in the world and currently ranks in the world top 25, ahead of some of the Ivy League institutions. The Univer...Read the full profile for University of Edinburgh

12. University of Exeter

According to a survey conducted in Summer 2007 by the Graduate Insight Group, i-graduate, over 80 per cent of our international students would recommend the University of Exeter, the highest rate amongst students at the prestigious 94 Group of Universities. The University of Exeter warmly welcomes international students and ensures that you have all the support you need, both before you arrive and whilst you are studying with us, to help you make the most of your ...Read the full profile for University of Exeter

13. University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research and teaching at the highest academic standard. It has a small, friendly campus near the city of Bath. The University is located 170km west of London, and the University is home to 10,000 full-time students, including 2500 international students from more than 120 different countries. The University's 200 acre parkland campus is 2km from the historic city centre of...Read the full profile for University of Bath

14. University of Bristol

The University of Bristol is a traditional university, founded in 1876, and received its Royal Charter in 1909. The University is internationally distinguished and one of the very best in the UK. It is also: a thriving international community dedicated to learning, discovery and enterprise; situated in the heart of Bristol; a major force in the life and economy of south-west England; a world leader in research and a member of the Russell Group of universities. Internationa...Read the full profile for University of Bristol

15. University of Leicester

The University of Leicester, founded as a university college in 1921 and granted its Royal Charter in 1957, is a government-financed institution with a leading international reputation for teaching and research. It has over 17,000 students. Of the 8,500 full-time students, 10% come from outside the European Union, from a total of more than 60 countries. The University of Leicester is one of the UK’s fastest growing universities and recently instigated a GBP300 million cam...Read the full profile for University of Leicester

16. King's College London

King’s College London is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious university institutions: a multi-faculty research-led university college based in the heart of London with over 19,700 students, of whom more than 6,200 are postgraduates. It is ranked as one of the world’s top 25 universities. King’s College London offers an intellectually rigorous environment supported by welcoming and caring traditions. King’s College London has played a major role i...Read the full profile for King's College London

16. Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a campus university located in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England, about 1.5 hours north of London. As an educational institution, Loughborough University’s roots date back to 1909. Loughborough University has nearly 16,000 students, of whom almost 15 per cent are international from over 100 countries. Loughborough University’s campus is close to the town centre and a short bus ride from the railway stati...Read the full profile for Loughborough University

18. University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a world famous university, located in Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. Ranked within the World's top 100 Universities, the University of Sheffield is one of the original 'red brick' universities and a member of the elite Russell Group. The University of Sheffield is a premier-league, research-led institution with a population of over 25,000 students including more than 3,700 international students from 120 countries. The University of Sh...Read the full profile for University of Sheffield

19. University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is a university situated in the city of Southampton, on the south coast of England. The University of Southampton is a member of the Russell Group and of the Worldwide Universities Network. In the most recent RAE assessment (2008), the University of Southampton has the only engineering faculty in the country to receive the highest rating (5*) across all disciplines.[2] According to The Times Higher Education Supplement, the University ...Read the full profile for University of Southampton

20. University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is a leading research focussed University in the British city of Nottingham. The University of Nottingham is truly global and has campuses in the UK and Asia. It is the fifth largest university in the UK and is a member of the Russell Group, Universitas 21, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the European University Association. The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 70 universities by the Aca...Read the full profile for University of Nottingham