Receiving a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from universities in the United Kingdom are excellent additions to your resume, especially if you are an international university student. The best universities in the UK are recognized as some of the best in the world.
This guide includes a list of the best schools in the UK based on how UK schools ranked in Times Higher Education. Find out the reputation of universities in the United Kingdom and why these institutions ar renowned for their world-class education.
What Attracts Students to Universities in the UK?
Many international and local students are attracted to universities in the UK because of the high quality of education. UK schools ranked high in most university ratings such as Times Higher Education and US News. International students also enjoy the work-study jobs available at most UK universities. Additionally, compared to North American schools, UK schools are quite affordable.
UK Schools Ranked: An Overview
| UK Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 5 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | 5 | 8 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | 12 | 20 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | 18 | 16 | University College London |
| 5 | 27 | 230 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
| 6 | 30 | 32 | University of Edinburgh |
| 7 | 35 | 33 | King’s College London |
| 8 | 50 | 58 | University of Manchester |
| 9 | 78 | 144 | University of Warwick |
| 10 | 85 | 84 | University of Glasgow |
The Best Universities in the UK, Explained
The best universities in the UK are some of the most prestigious institutions in the world with rigorous admission requirements and high-performance standards. Below is a list of the best universities in the UK based on ranking from Times Higher Education. All of the information included in this section has been sourced from the universities’ websites.
1. University of Oxford
- Campus Location(s): Oxford, England
- Acceptance Rate: 17.5%
- Graduation Rate: 92.0%
- US News Country Rank: #5
Oxford University is the oldest institution in the English-speaking world and is a collegiate research-intensive university. Ranked first in the Times Higher Education, this public university is revered all over the world and known for its excellent academic departments. Students who are interested in applying to University of Oxford should be aware of the selective admission process, high tuition fees compared to other UK schools, and expensive living costs.
2. University of Cambridge
- Campus Location(s): Cambridge, England
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- US News Country Rank: #8
The University of Cambridge is the second most prestigious university in the UK. It is also the second oldest English-speaking university in the world. Cambridge University is a collegiate research institution, as it is a part of the Russell Group, and has six schools for physical sciences, arts and humanities, clinical medicine, biological sciences, technology, and social sciences fields.
3. Imperial College London
- Campus Location(s): South Kensington, England
- Acceptance Rate: 14.3%
- Graduation Rate: 98%
- US News Country Rank: #20
Imperial College London, previously called University of London, was founded in 1907 and is a public institution. So far, it has four academic divisions that focus on medicine, engineering, business, and natural sciences. Also, it has three terms in its academic calendar, including autumn, spring, and summer. The main language used to teach students in English, so students who wish to enroll must be fluent.
4. University College London
- Campus Location(s): London, England
- Acceptance Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 94.8%
- US News Country Rank: #16
University College London was founded in 1826 and has since expanded to Qatar and Australia. Some of its academic divisions include brain sciences, arts and humanities, education, and engineering. Tuition costs for this institution are higher for international students, although the university provides accommodation for first-year undergraduates.
5. London School of Economics and Political Science
- Campus Location(s): London, England
- Acceptance Rate: 8.9%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #230
London School of Economics (LSE) is popular among international students. LSE offers a wide range of academic programs and courses, awarding bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees. Student populations also benefit from the facilities on campus such as housing, libraries, and sports facilities, as well as exchange programs, study abroad programs, financial aid, and scholarships.
6. University of Edinburgh
- Campus Location(s): Edinburgh, Scotland
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- US News Country Rank: #32
The University of Edinburgh has 20 schools and three colleges in humanities, arts, science, and engineering. It uses a semester-based calendar and is ranked best for its social work school. The University of Edinburgh has a cross-disciplinary and entrepreneurial culture that attracts students from different parts of the world.
7. King’s College London
- Campus Location(s): London, England
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- US News Country Rank: #33
King’s College London was founded in 1829 and is well-known for its role in advancements that have changed the world. It played a role in DNA structure discovery and is a center for dentistry and medical education. This institution is also associated with medical research council centers. These medical centers make it an excellent university for medical and related disciplines.
8. University of Manchester
- Campus Location(s): Manchester, England
- Acceptance Rate: 56.1%
- Graduation Rate: 54.5%
- US News Country Rank: #58
University of Manchester is one of the largest in the UK, with a large percentage of international students. Manchester is known for its research and academic excellence, and this is why it is ranked among the top 10 best universities in the world. This institution is a research university and member of the Russell Group.
9. University of Warwick
- Campus Location(s): Coventry, England
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- US News Country Rank: #144
Established in 1965, University of Warwick is famous for its accounting and finance programs. Despite being a newer institution, it has taken its place as one of the best universities in the UK.
The institution has students from 147 countries. Warwick has three main faculties including the faculty of social sciences, the faculty of science, medicine, and engineering, and the faculty of arts.
10. University of Glasgow
- Campus Location(s): Glasgow, Scotland
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- US News Country Rank: #84
University of Glasgow offers a wide range of courses and has lots of international students and local attendees. This institution is a research-intensive university and member of the well-known Russell Group. Aside from its numerous course offerings, the university has online programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students can take online open courses and short courses through the university.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in the UK
To create this list, we used Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings and US News Best National University Rankings. Both sources created the international ranking by evaluating different factors such as research, teaching, reputation, industry outcomes, and international outlook.
Is a Top University in the UK Right for You?
A top university in the UK is right for you if you want to study in the UK. The UK is an excellent destination because of its high educational standards. You also get the opportunity to meet students from different parts of the world, as the universities have a large population of international students.
Best Universities in UK FAQ
University of Oxford is the number one university in the UK. With Oxford on your resume, job hunting will be a lot easier because of the reputation of the school.
University of Oxford and University of Cambridge are both renowned institutions. However, Oxford outranks Cambridge in the Times Higher Education 2022 world university rankings as well as other rankings.
Yes, University of Oxford is hard to get into because it has an acceptance rate of just 17.5 percent. When it comes to international students, the acceptance rate drops further. However, if you meet the criteria, your chance is as good as anyone else’s.
It depends on preference. According to US News & World Report, the US and UK have the best universities in the world. Among the top ten universities in the world are eight American universities and two British universities. While the top four universities in the world are located in the US, American tuition is also much more expensive than college tuition in the UK.
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