Studying in the UK is an incredibly exciting opportunity for international students. The country’s excellent institutions and longstanding academic legacy provide a wide range of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Every year, thousands of international students decide to study in the UK. In addition to being the location of some of the most prominent institutions in the world, it is also a major cultural hub in Europe.
This blog will tackle the best universities in the UK as well as the cheapest universities in the UK, among many other things that will come in handy in your planning to study there.
Table of contents
- Best universities in the UK
- Easiest universities to get into in the UK
- Cheapest universities in the UK
- Universities in the UK for a master’s degree
- Universities in the UK for PhD
- FAQs
Best universities in the UK
Here are the best universities in the UK for international students, ranked by reputable organisations:
| University Name | THE Rankings | QS Rankings | Webometrics | ARWU | CUG | The Guardian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| University of Cambridge | =3 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Imperial College London | 10 | 6 | 16 | 23 | 6 | 5 |
| UCL | 22 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| University of Edinburgh | 29 | 22 | 56 | 35 | 12 | 12 |
| King’s College London | 35 | 40 | 49 | 48 | =24 | 29 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 37 | 45 | 572 | 1101-150 | 3 | 4 |
| University of Manchester | =45 | 32 | 71 | 38 | 19 | 30 |
| University of Bristol | 76 | 55 | – | 81 | 16 | 16 |
| University of Glasgow | =82 | =76 | 135 | =101-150 | 26 | 11 |
Easiest universities to get into in the UK
The universities mentioned in the list below often have the highest acceptance rates for students and are among the easiest universities to get into in the UK . These universities are also among the best in the UK, and the high acceptance rate speaks to both the diversity of their course offerings and the number of students they can accommodate on campus.
- Aberystwyth University
- Bishop Grosseteste University
- Ravensbourne University London
- University for the Creative Arts
- Plymouth College of Art
- University of Sussex
- University of Roehampton
- Northumbria University
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Kent
- York St John University
- Liverpool Hope University
- Coventry University
- London Metropolitan University
- University of Exeter
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David
- Newman University, Birmingham
- University College Birmingham
- University of Winchester
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cheapest universities in the UK
Discover the following cheapest universities in the UK with top-quality education and diverse communities:
| University Name | Average Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| Ulster University | £9,620 – £15,840 |
| University of Hull | £11,000 |
| University of Buckingham | £12,600 – £13,800 |
| Leeds Beckett University | £12,000 – £15,000 |
| University of Sunderland | £13,000 – £16,500 |
| University of Chester | £14,250 |
| Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) | £15,000 |
| University of the West of England – UWE Bristol | £15,000 |
| Coventry University | £15,300 – £20,500 |
| The University of Law | £15,850 |
Universities in the UK for a master’s degree
In the UK, a master’s degree can be earned in one to two years of full-time study (or three years of part-time study) and can be research-based, course-based or a combination of both. International students can select the preferred degree programme at one of the many specialisations, disciplines and courses offered by UK universities that provide master’s degrees.
Here is a list of the top UK universities for a master’s degree and their well-known MS programmes:
| University Name | Popular Course |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | MSc Advanced Computer Science |
| University of Cambridge | Master of Finance |
| Imperial College London | MSc Advanced Computer Science |
| UCL (University College London) | MSc Business Analytics |
| University of Edinburgh | MSc Accounting and Finance |
| King’s College London | MSc Cyber Security |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | MSc Data Science |
| University of Manchester | MSc Finance |
| University of Bristol | MSc Management |
Universities in the UK for PhD
There are a number of UK universities for PhD offering a variety of fields, including:
- Business
- Economics
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Education
- Biological sciences
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Political sciences
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Psychology
There are several other factors that you must consider when choosing a place for your studies, such as:
- Program availability
- University ranking
- Faculty and staff reputation
- Research facilities
- Scholarships and funding options offered by the university
- Graduate employability rate
- Tuition fees
- Location
Choosing to study abroad is a big decision as is, so you’d want to make sure that you’re making the right decision when choosing where to study. Speak with your IDP Education counsellor now for FREE to turn your study ambition into action!
Universities in the UK FAQs
1. What are the best universities in the UK?
There are a number of reasons why UK universities are considered among the best in the world. Check out this blog to discover the top universities in the UK and the significance of university rankings .
2. Is it too expensive for international students to study in the UK?
Deciding whether the UK is expensive to study in or not will depend on where you will be attending university as tuition fees vary; it will also depend on accomm odation, groceries, bills as well as other living expenses.
3. How much are UK university fees?
International undergraduate tuition costs range widely. At all levels, degrees in the humanities and social sciences tend to be the least expensive, but laboratory and clinical degree programmes are significantly more expensive. The average annual tuition fees for undergraduate degrees range from £10,000 to £26,000.