Highlights:
- Universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London are the top 3 universities in UK as per QS ranking
- Duration: Majority of the UK universities offer 1 year masters programs, allowing you to gain and apply your knowledge in real-world situations sooner
- Popular streams: There are more than 160 universities in UK offering over 50,000 courses. Business, Engineering and Law are among the popular streams.
- Unified application portal: Most of the universities accept international applications via UCAS in exchange for an application fee of 28.50 GBP
- Visa process: You get to know your Tier 4 student visa status within 3 weeks of applying.
- Multicultural community: Almost 14% of the total population are international students in UK. Besides, 55,465 Indian students are also studying in the best UK unis.
Best universities in UK include Cambridge University, Oxford University, Imperial College London, University College London, and University of Edinburgh among others. These QS ranked top universities in UK have a global reputation for high academic standards, research, and facilities. From accounting and finance to theology, divinity & religious studies, top universities in UK have course offerings in every field of study. Majority of the universities have September and January intakes. Some of the popular courses in the UK are BBA, MIM, BE / BTech, MSc, MBA / PGDM among others. As per reports by the Ministry of External Affairs India, currently more than 55,000 (55,465 to be precise) Indian students are studying at the best universities in Britain.
Table of Content
Top 10 Universities in UK
Top universities in UK are recognized worldwide for the outstanding quality of education with 90 institutions ranked by the QS World University Rankings 2024. A comparison between rankings of the top 10 university in UK in World University Rankings 2024 by QS and THE are given in the table below:
| British Rank | Best Unis UK | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Cambridge | #2 | #5 |
| #2 | University of Oxford | #3 | #1 |
| #3 | Imperial College London | #6 | #8 |
| #4 | University College London (UCL) | #9 | #22 |
| #5 | University of Edinburgh | #22 | #=30 |
| #6 | University of Manchester | #32 | #51 |
| #7 | King's College London | #40 | #=38 |
| #8 | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | #45 | #46 |
| #9 | University of Bristol | #55 | #81 |
| #10 | University of Warwick | #67 | #=106 |
Why Study in UK?
Some of the reasons why you should choose to study abroad in United Kingdom are as follows
- Ranking of universities in UK: The UK has 2 of the world's top 3 universities, with 26 institutions ranking among the top 200 (QS 2024). As per British Council, 38% of Nobel Laureates received their education in UK
- Flexible programs: UK postgraduate programs, including many one-year MBA courses, offer shorter durations compared to the US and Australia. It allows you to gain and apply your knowledge in real-world situations sooner after studying from top unis in UK
- Post study options: The UK’s Graduate Route allows international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work for 2 years after graduation. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to 3 years.
- Scholarships: Wide range of scholarships like Rhodes Scholarship, Felix Scholarships, are the most popular scholarships to study. There are other institutional and external scholarships available as well.
- Costs: Studying in the UK offers excellent value for your investment, with average costs here being lower than those in the USA and Australia. Ex: The yearly cost for undergraduates in USA comes around 50 lakhs in comparison to 35 lakhs in good universities London
Other Top Universities in Great Britain
Apart from the mentioned above, there are many top universities in Great Britain that offer quality education to international students. These top-rated universities in the UK are mentioned below
| Good Universities in UK | QS Ranking, 2024 | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Napier University | #801-850 | 60% |
| University of Central Lancashire | #901-950 | 72% |
| Loughborough University | #212 | 33% |
| De Montfort University | #801-850 | 55% |
| The University of Brighton | #771-780 | 46% |
| Cardiff University | #154 | 44% |
| Queen’s University Belfast | #202 | 31% |
Exams Accepted to Study in UK
Like other countries, you need to have English language proficiency scores and standardized test scores to study in UK.
- Accepted English language proficiency exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET
- Accepted standardized tests: GRE, GMAT, SAT
Top Courses in UK
According to student’s preferences and reports, the popular courses in UK are as follows at top rated universities in the UK
- BBA
- B.Tech
- B.Sc
- BA
- BJMC
- LLB
- MIM
- MBA
- MS
- PGDM
- LLM
Best Business Schools UK
According to reports, finance, marketing, human resources and administration, economics are famous business studies among undergraduate and postgraduate international students in UK. Hence, we have listed some good business schools in UK here only for you to choose.
| Top Business Schools in UK | QS Ranking, 2024 | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| London Business School | #4 | 20% |
| Judge Business School (University of Cambridge) | #9 | 31% |
| Said Business School (Oxford University) | #18 | 20% |
| Imperial College Business School | #20 | 15% |
| Warwick Business School | #36 | 33% |
| Alliance Business School (University of Manchester) | #49 | 50% |
| University of Edinburgh Business School | #64 | 51% |
| Cranfield School of Management | #82 | 30% |
| Durham University Business School | #101-110 | 31% |
| Bayes Business School (City, University of London) | #101-110 | 14% |
Best Universities in UK London for Engineering
The top 10 uni in UK for Engineering are tabulated below along with THE (Times Higher Education) ranking, 2024.
| Top Universities in London UK | THE, UK engineering rank 2024 | THE, Global Engineering rank 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | #1 | #4 |
| University of Cambridge | #2 | #5 |
| Imperial College London | #3 | #10 |
| University of Manchester | #4 | #42 |
| University College London | #5 | #45 |
| University of Edinburgh | #6 | #83 |
| University of Sheffield | #7 | #94 |
| University of Bristol | #8 | #96 |
| University of Southampton | #9 | #97 |
| University of Nottingham | #10 | #98 |
Most Respected Universities UK for Law and Legal Studies
Law and legal studies, and criminology are among the popular streams to study in UK. Check out top 10 good uni in UK for Law.
| Good Uni in UK | THE, UK Law Rank, 2024 | THE, Global Law Rank, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | #1 | #3 |
| University of Oxford | #2 | #7 |
| University College London | #3 | #12 |
| University of Edinburgh | #4 | #13 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | #5 | #14 |
| King’s College London | #6 | #27 |
| University of Glasgow | #7 | #43 |
| University of Nottingham | #8 | #45 |
| University of Essex | #9 | #49 |
| Queen Mary University of London | #10 | #50 |
Best Universities in UK for Masters
The biggest advantage for students pursuing masters in UK is the standard course duration in many specializations is one year which is shorter than in many other countries. Some of the most popular programs and the highest-ranked institution offering it are given in the table below:
| Good Universities in London | Popular Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | Master of Philosophy [M.Phil] Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence | 11 months | 58,767 |
| University of Oxford | Master of Science [M.Sc] Advanced Computer Science | 12 months | 36,000 |
| Imperial College London | Master of Science [M.Sc] Finance | 1 year | 45,400 |
| University of Edinburgh | Master of Science [M.Sc] Data Science | 1 year | 40,900 |
| University of Manchester | Master of Science [M.Sc] Finance | 1 year | 34,500 |
| King's College London | Master of Laws [L.L.M] | 1 year | 33,450 |
| UCL | Master of Architecture [M.Arch] | 2 years | 9,250 |
Eligibility Criteria for UK Good Universities for Masters
To secure admission to a Masters in UK, the following common documents are required, along with eligibility criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University, usually in a relevant subject area. This should be equivalent to at least a UK ‘Upper Second Class (2:1)’ or ‘Lower Second Class (2:2)’ degree.
- Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and Grades of 60-80% in Bachelor's degree.
- Transcripts
- The IELTS requirements range from a minimum of 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with no element lower than 5.5, while the TOEFL iBT requirements range from a minimum of 80 to 92.
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Passport
- One academic or professional reference
- Application fees
Best Universities in UK for MBA
MBA is the most sought-after course worldwide. UK is one of the most preferred destinations for pursuing an MBA because it offers 1-year MBA programs which also makes education affordable and saves time. MBA colleges in UK are AACSB accredited which defines benchmarks in global education. 8 business schools in the UK are ranked among the top 100 categories in QS Global MBA Rankings 2024. The table below represents the top business schools in the UK with the latest rankings and MBA tuition fees
| QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 | Top MBA Universities in UK | Annual Tuition Fees (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| #4 | London Business School | 75,000 |
| #=9 | Cambridge Judge Business School | 69,000 |
| #18 | Said Business School (Oxford) | 78,510 |
| #20 | Imperial College Business School | 67,500 |
| #36 | Warwick Business School | 53,750 |
| #49 | Alliance Manchester School of Business | 48,000 |
| #64 | University of Edinburgh Business School | 40,900 |
| #82 | Cranfield School of Management | 46,405 |
Eligibility Criteria for the Best Universities in London England for MBA
To get into best universities in London UK for MBA, you need the following
- A bachelor’s degree (equivalent to a high 2:1 on the UK scale)
- GMAT Score: 650 or above
- GRE Score: A GRE verbal score of 160 and a quantitative score of 160 is considered competitive.
- 2 to 6 years of work experience
- Language Proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 95+
- 1 to 3 Letters of Recommendation
- 500 words statement of Purpose/Essay
- Application fees: GBP 150 to 200
- CV
Top Best Universities in UK for Undergraduate Programs
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree is the first step of the ladder for international students planning to study in UK. Top universities in UK look for candidates who have completed high school with at least 80-90%. Standardized test scores such as SAT or ACT and English language proficiency test scores are also important for admission. Some of the best universities in the UK for undergraduate courses are listed below:
| University | Popular Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Accounting and Finance | 3 years | 27,192 |
| University of Warwick | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [M.B.B.S] | 4 years | 50,430 |
| University of Bristol | Bachelor of Science [B.S] International Business Management | 3 years | 26,400 |
| University of Edinburgh | Bachelor of Law [L.L.B] | 4 years | 26,500 |
| University of Manchester | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Management (Accounting and Finance) | 3 years | 30,000 |
Eligibility Criteria for Best Unis in UK for Undergraduate Programs
To get into the best universities in UK for undergraduate programs, you need to have the following
- 10+2 certificate from CBSE and ICSE ranging from 80% to 90%
- CBSE or ICSE English at 70-80% or above
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 80
UK Student Visa
If you are enrolling in a course that lasts for over a year and you are over 16 years of age, you need a Tier 4 student visa. To apply for a UK Student visa, you need to submit the following documents
- Details of passport
- ATAS Certificate from the top best universities in London (if required for your nationality and course)
- Official academic records or certificates
- Exam results for English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.
- Tuberculosis test results
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of financial sufficiency that you have enough funds for your entire period of stay in UK.
- Recent passport-size photograph
Top Student Cities to Study in UK
In the latest QS best student cities ranking, 16 UK cities are featured. These are considered as the best student cities in UK as per students’ safety, affordability, desirability and others.
| Cities | QS Best Student City 2024 Rank |
|---|---|
| London | #1 |
| Edinburgh | #16 |
| Manchester | #30 |
| Glasgow | #36 |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | #39 |
| Bristol | #44 |
| Coventry | #44 |
| Birmingham | #49 |
| Nottingham | #52 |
| Leeds | #55 |
Job Opportunities After Studying at the Top London Unis
After your degree completion, you need a post-study work visa in UK in order to legally work in the country. With a work permit visa, will be able to stay back in the UK to search for a job for a period of 2 years after the completion of your graduate studies. The following table shows the average salary in UK across different jobs in UK:
| Job Sectors | Average Annual Salary (in GBP) |
|---|---|
| Financial and insurance activities | 43,508 |
| Information and Communication | 41,552 |
| Mining and quarrying | 37,567 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 37,246 |
| Construction | 34,892 |
| Education | 33,910 |
| Transportation and storage | 31,902 |
| Manufacturing | 31,676 |
| Real estate activities | 30,171 |
| Human health and social work activities | 28,181 |
Note: 1 GBP= 105.99 INR as of May 21, 2024
You can consider the aforementioned details while looking for most prestigious universities in London. In UK, you'll find an extensive array of study options, boasting hundreds of institutions and thousands of courses.
FAQs
Ques. Which UK university is best for international students?
Ans. The best Universities in the UK are as follows:
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- UCL
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- King's College London
Ques. What are the fees of Oxford University?
Ans. At Oxford University, the fees vary depending on the level of study.
- For undergraduate courses, the fees range from GBP 33,050 to GBP 48,620.
- On the other hand, for graduate courses, the average fees are around GBP 36,000.
Ques. Which UK university offers full scholarships?
Ans. These are the top universities in the UK that offer 100% scholarships covering full tuition fees.
| Scholarships | Offered By | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Masters Scholarships | Queen Mary, University of London |University of Bristol | Full tuition fee, flights and living stipend. |
| Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarships (VCES) - Postgraduate (2024 entry) | Newcastle University | Up to 50% or 100% of tuition fees. |
| The Commonwealth Scholarship | Middlesex University London | Full Postgraduate tuition fees, airfare to and from the UK and a living allowance. |
| Chancellor's Scholarship | University of Hull | Full tuition fee |
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing a master's degree in the UK?
Ans. To secure admission to a Master's program in the UK:
- Applicants need to hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, usually in a relevant subject area.
- The degree should be equivalent to at least a UK ‘Upper Second Class (2:1)’ or ‘Lower Second Class (2:2)’.
- Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and grades of 60-80% in their Bachelor's degree.
- Language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL are also required, with scores ranging from a minimum of 6.0 to 6.5 overall for IELTS, and 80 to 92 for TOEFL iBT.
Ques: What are the tuition fees to study in the UK?
Ans. The tuition fees to study in the UK are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degrees in the UK range from 26,400 to 38,000 GBP, which is approximately 27.82 lakhs to 38.28 lakh INR.
- Master’s degrees in the UK usually cost between 9,250 and 58,767 GBP, equivalent to approximately 9.74 lakhs to 61.94 lakhs INR.
- MBA programs in the UK have tuition fees ranging from 48,000 to 78,510 GBP, approximately 49.78 lakhs to 81.42 lakhs INR.
Ques: What is the student life like at top UK universities?
Ans: Student life at top UK universities is vibrant and diverse, with numerous clubs, societies, and events. Universities like Oxford and Cambridge have unique traditions and collegiate systems, while London universities offer a dynamic city experience.
Ques: What are the accommodation options for students at UK universities?
Ans: Students can choose from university-managed halls of residence, private student accommodation, or rented flats/houses. University halls are often the most convenient for first-year students, offering a community feel and included utilities.
Ques: How do UK university rankings compare internationally?
Ans: UK universities consistently rank high in international league tables such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Universities like Oxford and Cambridge often appear in the top 10 globally.
Ques: What support services are available for international students?
Ans: UK universities offer a range of support services for international students, including orientation programs, academic support, career services, counseling, and visa advice. Many universities also have dedicated international offices to assist students.
Ques: What are the visa requirements for studying in the UK?
Ans: International students need a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. To apply, you'll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK university, proof of funds to cover tuition and living expenses, and a valid passport. Some students may also need to provide proof of English language proficiency and undergo a health surcharge payment.
Found 2 universities
| CD Rank | College Info | Tuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.) | Top Courses | Ranking & Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  University of Cambridge, CambridgeEngland, Uk21%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $39.1K/Yr (£31,320/Yr)Living: $2.7K/Yr (£2,200/Yr)Admission | Ph.D Multi-disciplinary Gender S...IELTS7$39.1K/Yr Course duration: 4 years Programs | |
| #2 |  London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, LondonEngland, Uk65%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $37.4K/Yr (£29,960/Yr)Admission | M.Sc Reproductive and Sexual Hea...IELTS7PTE74$37.4K/Yr Course duration: 1 year Programs |
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