25 Best Universities In United Kingdom For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in United Kingdom, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 166 universities and colleges in United Kingdom, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 166 universities in United Kingdom, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge are the top-performing schools in United Kingdom. This list covers both public and private institutions in United Kingdom.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in United Kingdom. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in United Kingdom.

How do I get admission to the best universities in United Kingdom?

Applying to the universities in United Kingdom involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in United Kingdom to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in United Kingdom?

Tuition fees at United Kingdom’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 2,500 GBP to 48,700 GBP , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,950 GBP to 131,200 GBP. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in United Kingdom!

As we cover the best universities in United Kingdom for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in United Kingdom for International Students

The University of Oxford is a prestigious university located in England, United Kingdom. The university dates back to 1096 and is one of the earliest universities in existence. Students studying at the University of Oxford can expect a world-class education, and with this excellent education, its graduates have become Nobel Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Fields Medalists, and impactful politicians.

The University of Cambridge is a prestigious institute of higher studies located in the United Kingdom. It opened its doors to students in 1209 and it is well-known for being one of the world’s oldest centers of learning. At present, it has 31 colleges, six schools, and more than 150 faculties and departments.

The Imperial College London stands out as it is the only institution in the United Kingdom solely concentrating on the fields of business, engineering, medicine, and science. Aside from academics, the university encourages the students to get involved in extracurricular activities, such as through student organizations and sports. Its placement in the center of London along with major companies helps bring opportunities for the start of a good career.

The University College London (UCL) is popular for being one of England’s finest universities. It is one of the biggest educational institutions in the United Kingdom. It has 11 faculties: the Arts and Humanities Faculty, Built Environment Faculty, Brain Sciences Faculty, Engineering Sciences Faculty, IOE Faculty, Laws Faculty, Life Sciences Faculty, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Faculty, Medical Sciences Faculty, Population Health Sciences Faculty, as well as the Social and Historical Sciences Faculty.

The University of Edinburgh is a public research university located in Scotland, a picturesque country known for its castles and whisky. It is one of the nation’s oldest centers of excellence as it was founded in the year 1583. Due to how highly regarded it is, many students choose to pursue their tertiary education at the university. With that, it has a long list of noteworthy alumni such as renowned psychologist and neuroscientist May-Britt Moser, molecular biologist and biophysicist Richard Henderson, as well as economist Sir James Alexander Mirrlees.

King’s College London has been committed to providing high-quality education since its establishment in 1829. With its mission of contributing to society, KCL aims to develop competent graduates who drive positive change through their work. It is consistently recognized as one of the top schools in the world, and several Nobel laureates are members of its faculty.

The University of Manchester was established in 2004 from the combination of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Victoria University of Manchester. It has become a well-recognized institution all over the world due to its groundbreaking research contributions and high quality of teaching. With top-grade amenities and equipment made accessible for its extensive list of course offerings, it is no doubt also one of the universities belonging to the renowned Russell Group.

The University of Southampton is a public research university that was founded by philanthropist and benefactor Henry Robinson Hartley in 1862. Originally named Hartley Institution, it was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth II on April 29, 1952. The University of Southampton, abbreviated as Soton, has seven campuses: five are located in Southampton, where the main campus is in the Highfield area, while four others are around the city; the university has another campus near Winchester for the School of Art, and an international branch which is located in Malaysia, offering Engineering courses. As a founding member of the Russell Group, Soton is considered the largest university in the South East Region and ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide.

As one of the institutions that are members of the Russell Group, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is acknowledged as a top-class university across the globe. It is leading especially for its expertise in the area of the social sciences. The LSE continues to deliver good research and teaching with the aim to increase its impact throughout the world.

The University of Warwick has consistently been well placed in the world rankings as it provides top-quality higher education. It offers a wide range of innovative and comprehensive degree programs from different academic disciplines. Moreso, its ever-growing successful graduates, have occupied high positions in various private and public industries. The institution has become one of the preferred universities for local and international students.

Queen Mary University is one of the world’s leading research universities. It is part of the research-intensive Russell Group and ranked 5th in the United Kingdom for research quality. Its community is also very welcoming to students from various cultures. Indeed, more than 40% of its students are from outside the country. The university was even acknowledged as 2021 “the most inclusive” Russell Group institution.

Newcastle University is a research-intensive public institution in England. The university is among the best in the country, ranking 16th for research power and 1st for sustainable development. As a part of the Russell Group University, an association whose members are renowned for excellence and commitment to research, the institution takes its research beyond its walls and into the world. Besides its location in Newcastle upon Tyne, the university also has London, Singapore, and Malaysia campuses.

The University of Birmingham was founded on March 24, 1900, when it received its Royal Charter. It is considered the heir apparent of two schools: the Queen’s College and Mason Science College, which were founded in 1825 and 1875, respectively. The University of Birmingham is also a founding member of both the Universitas 21 and the Russel Group. Since then, the university has expanded by adding new programs such as Engineering and Fine Arts, among others.

Belonging to the distinguished University of London, the London Business School prides itself on its strength in business education. It has campuses in the center of London and in Dubai, which opens more opportunities for the students. With the school’s programs, the students will get to develop the knowledge and skills needed to transform their careers!

One of the well-known institutions in the UK is the University of Leeds. This internationally recognized university has been providing high-quality education over the years. One of the key strategies that have made them a respected university is incorporating the university’s values into its academic programs. The school’s inclusion in tackling global challenges and societal issues has equipped students with the necessary skills and expertise to become future global leaders and responsible professionals.

Founded in 1451, The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in Scotland. Throughout the years, this renowned institution has collaborated and partnered with the best and highly acknowledged universities across the globe.

Moreover, the university prides itself on being at the forefront of supporting sustainability. It is fully aware of the impacts of climate change and has since committed to attaining carbon neutrality by 2030. Most of its study programs and courses are aligned and designed with its commitments. Truly making it one of the respected UK universities that promote positive influence to its student body.

The school has received overall high-level ratings for education and it has also made a name for itself in the area of research. Located in the lively city of Bristol, students who choose to study at the University of Bristol will have a lot to explore. There are also partnerships made with both local and international institutions that allow the students to practice real-world applications.

The University of Nottingham is one of the public research universities in the UK. Besides its location in the vibrant city of Nottingham, it also has campuses in China and Malaysia. The university provides global and research-driven education to more than 34,000 students from over 150 countries. Its academic structure consists of 5 faculties with more than 50 schools, departments, and centers.

Lancaster University is a public institution in the United Kingdom that employs the collegiate system. It is also an esteemed and highly-ranked institution, whether in and out of the country. It was also recognized as the International University of the Year 2020 and the 2018 University of the Year. Besides these acknowledgments, the university also considers itself an inclusive institution, welcoming thousands of international students annually.

As one of the top schools in the UK, the University of Liverpool is committed to guiding students to become well-rounded and highly-employable graduates. It is known for having research-led curricula designed by top academics. Several alumni from the university have been awarded Nobel prizes in different fields.

The University of Sheffield is a public institution regarded for its commitment to research and excellence. It is one of the founders of the Russell Group, along with other research-intensive universities. For years, it has welcomed thousands of students from around the world. Besides being a bustling community for international students, the university is also associated with prestigious alumni such as Nobel laureates, political figures, and other known personalities.

The University of Exeter is among the top public universities in the UK through its academic and research excellence. It maintains three campuses, two of which are in Exeter and another in Falmouth, Cornwall. The university is home to more than 30,000 students, including around 6,700 international students. Though it formally received its Royal Charter in 1955, the university has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century.

The University of Sussex is among the leading research institutions in the UK, ranking 21st out of 101 institutions in the UK according to THE World University’s 2022 rankings. It boasts of being a global institution, partnering with numerous universities worldwide and having many international students and staff.

Cardiff University is the largest institution in Wales. It is known for having a research-rich environment, with research-active faculty delivering courses. Students benefit from innovative curricula, top-notch facilities, and unique opportunities brought by Cardiff’s local and international partnerships.

With a focus on global and public health, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is noted for its work in research and quality of teaching in those subject areas. The university mainly offers master’s degrees, but there are also other research, doctoral, and short courses being offered. Aside from its reputation in the UK, the school is making a name for itself through various collaborations with research institutions across the world.