Top Public Universities/Colleges in UK - Popular Programs & Acceptance Rate
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Tanusree Banerjee

Study Abroad Content Specialist at CollegeDunia | Updated on - Sep 23, 2025

Public universities in the UK attract thousands of Indian students every year because of government-backed funding, affordable tuition, and strong global recognition. Top public universities in the UK such as the University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Birmingham, and University of Leeds attract thousands of Indian students every year. These institutions provide a wide range of programs including MBA, MSc in Computer Science, Business Analytics, Finance, and Psychology and help students seeking global career opportunities.

Annual tuition fees at public universities in the UK are comparatively affordable, ranging from 8 lakh to 30 lakh depending on the program and university, whereas private institutions can charge 40 lakh to 65 lakh per year for similar programs. Graduates from public universities also benefit from strong placement opportunities, with average starting salaries between ?28 lakh and ?45 lakh per year, ensuring a good return on investment for Indian students.

Read More: Study in UK


Top Public Universities and Colleges in UK

The table below lists the top Public Universities in UK based on QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025.

University Location QS 2026 Rank THE 2025 Rank Average Annual Tuition Fee (INR)
University of Oxford Oxford 4 1 35 Lakh – 65 Lakh
University of Cambridge Cambridge 6 5 35 Lakh – 65 Lakh
Imperial College London London 2 9 40 Lakh – 60 Lakh
University College London (UCL) London 9 22 35 Lakh – 55 Lakh
King’s College London London 31 36 30 Lakh – 50 Lakh
University of Edinburgh Edinburgh 34 29 22 Lakh – 28 Lakh
University of Manchester Manchester 35 53 20 Lakh – 25 Lakh
University of Bristol Bristol 51 78 18 Lakh – 22 Lakh
London School of Economics (LSE) London 56 50 35 Lakh – 50 Lakh
University of Warwick Coventry 74 106 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh
University of Glasgow Glasgow 77 92 18 Lakh – 22 Lakh
University of Birmingham Birmingham 91 112 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh
University of Sheffield Sheffield 94 124 18 Lakh – 22 Lakh
University of Leeds Leeds 95 109 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh
University of Nottingham Nottingham 103 129 18 Lakh – 22 Lakh
University of Southampton Southampton 109 130 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh
University of Exeter Exeter 114 160 18 Lakh – 22 Lakh
University of Liverpool Liverpool 141 201–250 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh
University of York York 150 151–175 18 Lakh– 22 Lakh
Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne 122 145 20 Lakh – 24 Lakh

Top UK Master’s & Bachelor’s Programs with Tuition Fees & Eligibility for Indian Students

This table lists popular master's and bachelor's programs in the UK, including their average annual tuition fees in GBP and INR, and eligibility criteria for Indian students. It helps students compare programs, plan budgets, and understand admission requirements for top courses like MBA, MSc, BSc, BA, and BEng.

Program Average Annual Tuition (GBP) Average Annual Tuition (INR) Eligibility Criteria
Master of Science (MSc) 10,000 – 35,000 10 lakh – 35 lakh Bachelor's degree in relevant field; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Master of Business Administration (MBA) 45,000 – 65,000 45 lakh – 65 lakh Bachelor's degree; GMAT/GRE; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; 2–5 years work experience; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Master of Arts (MA) 14,000 – 50,000 14 lakh – 50 lakh Bachelor's degree; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Master of Laws (LLM) 20,000 – 45,000 20 lakh – 45 lakh Bachelor's degree in Law; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Master of Engineering (MEng) 10,000 – 35,000 10 lakh – 35 lakh Bachelor's degree in Engineering; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Bachelor of Science (BSc) 11,400 – 38,000 11.4 lakh – 38 lakh Completion of 12th grade with relevant subjects; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Bachelor of Arts (BA) 11,400 – 38,000 11.4 lakh – 38 lakh Completion of 12th grade; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) 11,400 – 38,000 11.4 lakh – 38 lakh Completion of 12th grade; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) 11,400 – 38,000 11.4 lakh – 38 lakh Completion of 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) 11,400 – 38,000 11.4 lakh – 38 lakh Completion of 12th grade; Portfolio submission; IELTS/TOEFL/PTE; Statement of Purpose; Letters of Recommendation

Also Check: Universities in London for International Students in 2026


Top UK Public Universities Master's and MBA Programs

Top UK universities offer a wide range of master's and MBA programs with specialized tracks across disciplines.

Program Specializations Top UK Universities
MBA Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Strategy London Business School, Oxford Saïd Business School, Cambridge Judge Business School, Imperial College Business School, Alliance Manchester Business School
MSc Finance Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Risk Management, Financial Modelling Imperial College London, University of Glasgow
MSc Computer Science Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering University of Edinburgh, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham
MSc Business Analytics Big Data Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics, Predictive Analytics, AI Integration Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Liverpool, University of Surrey
MSc Psychology Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Mental Health, Neuropsychology King's College London, Glasgow Caledonian University
MSc Architecture Urban Design, Sustainable Architecture, Digital Fabrication, Historic Preservation University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Bath, University of Kent
MSc Aerospace Engineering Flight Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Propulsion Systems, Space Systems Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, University of Leeds
MSc International Business Global Strategy, Cross-Cultural Management, International Trade, Global Marketing University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester

Also Read: Best Universities in UK for International Students in 2025


Top UK Public Universities Undergraduate Programs

Leading UK universities offer a diverse array of undergraduate programs, each with specialized tracks to cater to various academic and professional interests.

Program Specializations Top UK Universities
BA Business Management Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, International Business University of St Andrews, University of Durham, University of Cambridge
BSc Computer Science Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester
BSc Psychology Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Mental Health University of Cambridge, University of Glasgow, King's College London
BSc Economics Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Development Economics London School of Economics, University of Oxford, University of Warwick
BSc Medicine General Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London
BA Law Criminal Law, International Law, Corporate Law, Human Rights Law University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics
BEng Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Materials Science, Robotics Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol
BA Architecture Urban Design, Sustainable Architecture, Digital Fabrication, Historic Preservation University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Bath
BSc Environmental Science Climate Change, Environmental Policy, Renewable Energy, Conservation Biology University of East Anglia, University of Exeter, University of Leeds
BSc Mathematics Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Warwick

Best Doctoral Programs in the UK 2025

This table lists the leading doctoral programs in the UK, including top universities, average tuition fees in GBP and INR, and popular fields for Indian students.

Program Popular Universities Average Annual Tuition (GBP) Average Annual Tuition (INR)
PhD in Computer Science University College London (UCL), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London £22,200 – £33,250 22 lakh – 33 lakh
PhD in Business Administration University of Cambridge (Judge Business School), University of Oxford (Saïd Business School) £80,000 (Year 1); £50,000 (Years 2–4) 80 lakh (Year 1); 50 lakh (Years 2–4)
PhD in Mechanical Engineering University of Kent, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford £22,704 – £32,352 22.7 lakh – 32.4 lakh
PhD in Neuroscience King's College London, University College London (UCL), University of Oxford £30,240 – £34,700 30.2 lakh – 34.7 lakh
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Oxford, University College London (UCL), University of Cambridge £22,200 – £34,700 22.2 lakh – 34.7 lakh
PhD in Data Science University of Essex, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick £22,000 – £30,000 22 lakh – 30 lakh
PhD in Statistics University of Edinburgh, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford £22,200 – £34,700 22.2 lakh – 34.7 lakh

Also refer : PhD in UK


Scholarships at Top Public Universities in UK

This table lists major scholarships available at top UK universities for Indian students, including the scholarship name, the university offering it, and the grant details. It helps students identify funding opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies.

Scholarship University Grant Details (GBP / INR)
Chevening Scholarship Multiple UK Universities Fully funded: tuition fees, living stipend, airfare, and other allowances (Approx. 20,000 – 40,000 GBP / 20 lakh – 40 lakh INR)
GREAT Scholarship Selected UK Universities Tuition support for one-year postgraduate courses (10,000 GBP / 10 lakh INR)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship University of Cambridge Full funding: tuition fees, living stipend, airfare, and research expenses (Approx. 30,000 – 40,000 GBP / 30 lakh – 40 lakh INR)
Clarendon Fund Scholarship University of Oxford Full tuition fees plus living stipend (Approx. 30,000 – 40,000 GBP / 30 lakh – 40 lakh INR)
Felix Scholarship University of Oxford Full tuition fees and living expenses for academically excellent Indian students (Approx. 30,000 – 40,000 GBP / 30 lakh – 40 lakh INR)
Commonwealth Scholarship Multiple UK Universities Full tuition fees, living stipend, airfare for students from Commonwealth countries (Approx. 25,000 – 35,000 GBP / 25 lakh – 35 lakh INR)
Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship University of Edinburgh Full tuition fees for international PhD students (Approx. 22,000 – 30,000 GBP / 22 lakh – 30 lakh INR)
Chancellor’s International Scholarship University of Warwick Full tuition fees plus living stipend for PhD students (Approx. 25,000 – 35,000 GBP / 25

Learn more on UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025


Top Public Universities in UK by ROI

Return on Investment (ROI) is a crucial factor for Indian students choosing a university in the UK. It measures how the cost of education compares to potential earnings after graduation. This section highlights the top public universities in the UK that offer the best ROI, based on average graduate salaries relative to tuition fees.

ROI %=Average Annual Tuition Fee/Average Annual Graduate Salary?×100

University Avg. Graduate Salary (GBP/year) Avg. Graduate Salary (INR/year) Avg. Tuition Fee (INR/year) ROI (%)
University of Manchester 32,000 33,00,000 22,00,000 150
University of Edinburgh 34,000 35,00,000 24,00,000 146
University of Warwick 35,000 36,00,000 24,00,000 150
University of Birmingham 30,000 31,00,000 22,00,000 141
University of Leeds 29,500 30,50,000 20,00,000 152
University of Nottingham 31,000 32,00,000 21,00,000 152
University of Southampton 28,500 29,50,000 20,00,000 148
Newcastle University 28,000 29,00,000 19,50,000 149
University of York 27,500 28,50,000 18,50,000 154
University of Sheffield 27,000 28,00,000 18,00,000 155

Check more details on Job Opportunities in UK for Indian Students


Public universities in the UK provide globally recognized education across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL consistently rank among the world’s best and attract thousands of Indian students each year. Annual tuition fees at UK public universities range from 8 lakh to 30 lakh. Graduates from these universities secure strong career outcomes, with average starting salaries between 28 lakh and 45 lakh per year, ensuring a solid return on investment for Indian students.


FAQs

Ques: What are the top UK universities for Indian students?

Ans: The top UK universities for Indian students include University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and London Business School, offering high-quality education, strong global rankings, and excellent placement opportunities.

Ques: What is the average tuition fee for master's and bachelor's programs in the UK?

Ans: For Indian students, average tuition fees range from ?10 lakh to ?35 lakh per year for master’s programs and ?11.4 lakh to ?38 lakh per year for undergraduate programs, depending on the course and university.

Ques: Which UK universities offer scholarships for Indian students?

Ans: Major scholarships for Indian students include Chevening, GREAT, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon Fund, Felix Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and university-specific grants from Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Warwick.

Ques: What are the popular master's and MBA programs in the UK?

Ans: Popular master’s programs include MSc Computer Science, MSc Finance, MSc Business Analytics, MSc Psychology, MSc Architecture, MSc Aerospace Engineering, and MBA with specializations in Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Strategy at leading UK universities.

Ques: Which UK universities provide the highest return on investment (ROI)?

Ans: Universities with the highest ROI based on graduate salaries include Bayes Business School, University of Oxford, Warwick Business School, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, and UCL, with average salaries ranging from ?37.5 lakh to ?52 lakh per year.

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Found 169 universities

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RankCollege InfoTuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.)Top CoursesRanking & Reviews
#1University of Oxford logo

University of Oxford, Oxford

England, Uk
Tuition:  $54.8K/Yr (£41,518/Yr)Living$18.1K/Yr (£13,680/Yr)Admission MBATOEFL110PTE76$117.2K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
81+ More Programs
9.0/10(10 Users)Ranked 1 by THE in 2026Ranked 4 by QS in 2026
#2University of Cambridge logo

University of Cambridge, Cambridge

England, Uk21%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $53.1K/Yr (£40,232/Yr)Admission MBATOEFL100$105.6K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
217+ More Programs
9.7/10(6 Users)Ranked 3 by THE in 2026Ranked 6 by QS in 2026
#3Imperial College London logo

Imperial College London, London

England, Uk18%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $53.2K/Yr (£40,307/Yr)Living$4.9K/Yr (£3,686/Yr)Admission MSc Statistics Data ScienceDuolingo125TOEFL100PTE69$47.1K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
153+ More Programs
8.7/10(26 Users)Ranked 8 by THE in 2026Ranked 2 by QS in 2026
#4University College London logo

University College London, London

England, Uk25%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $48.6K/Yr (£36,814/Yr)Living$26.5K/Yr (£20,058/Yr)Admission MArchTOEFL96PTE76$46.7K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
273+ More Programs
9.0/10(12 Users)Ranked 22 by THE in 2026Ranked 9 by QS in 2026
#5University of Edinburgh logo

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Scotland, Uk10%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $43.9K/Yr (£33,223/Yr)Living$6.9K/Yr (£5,200/Yr)Admission MBAGMAT600IELTS7PTE73$59.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
121+ More Programs
9.0/10(29 Users)Ranked 29 by THE in 2026Ranked 34 by QS in 2026
#6King's College London logo

King's College London, London

England, Uk13%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $43K/Yr (£32,582/Yr)Living$20.6K/Yr (£15,636/Yr)Admission LLMIELTS7.0PTE69$50.6K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
170+ More Programs
8.3/10(26 Users)Ranked 38 by THE in 2026Ranked 31 by QS in 2026
#7London School of Economics and Political Science logo

London School of Economics and Political Science, London

England, Uk9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $41.6K/Yr (£31,501/Yr)Living$17.7K/Yr (£13,416/Yr)Admission LLMIELTS7.0PTE70$52.7K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
92+ More Programs
8.0/10(4 Users)Ranked 52 by THE in 2026Ranked 56 by QS in 2026
#8The University of Manchester logo

The University of Manchester, Manchester

England, Uk76%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $42.4K/Yr (£32,124/Yr)Living$11.3K/Yr (£8,580/Yr)Admission MBAIELTS6.5PTE59$66K/Yr
Course duration: 18 months
270+ More Programs
8.7/10(38 Users)Ranked 56 by THE in 2026Ranked 35 by QS in 2026
#9University of Bristol logo

University of Bristol, Bristol

England, Uk67%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $39.3K/Yr (£29,766/Yr)Living$12.8K/Yr (£9,720/Yr)Admission MS Data ScienceIELTS6.5PTE67$48.2K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
330+ More Programs
6.3/10(16 Users)Ranked 80 by THE in 2026Ranked 51 by QS in 2026
#10University of Glasgow logo

University of Glasgow, Glasgow

Scotland, Uk28%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $39.9K/Yr (£30,190/Yr)Living$12.7K/Yr (£9,623/Yr)Admission MBAIELTS6.5PTE59$53.5K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
113+ More Programs
9.3/10(42 Users)Ranked 84 by THE in 2026Ranked 79 by QS in 2026
#11University of Birmingham logo

University of Birmingham, Birmingham

England, Uk13%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $35K/Yr (£26,489/Yr)Living$11.5K/Yr (£8,694/Yr)Admission LLMTOEFL88PTE67$37.1K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
250+ More Programs
8.0/10(27 Users)Ranked 98 by THE in 2026Ranked 76 by QS in 2026
#12University of Sheffield logo

University of Sheffield, Sheffield

England, Uk85%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $36.9K/Yr (£27,970/Yr)Living$10.6K/Yr (£8,012/Yr)Admission MBAIELTS6.5PTE61$47.3K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
113+ More Programs
9.3/10(20 Users)Ranked 108 by THE in 2026Ranked 92 by QS in 2026
#13University of Leeds logo

University of Leeds, Leeds

England, Uk56.67%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $38.3K/Yr (£28,995/Yr)Living$3.7K/Yr (£2,832/Yr)Admission MBAGMAT600IELTS6.5PTE64$51.8K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
292+ More Programs
8.7/10(56 Users)Ranked 118 by THE in 2026Ranked 86 by QS in 2026
#14University of Warwick logo

University of Warwick, Coventry

England, Uk14%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $38.7K/Yr (£29,304/Yr)Living$1.1K/Yr (£800/Yr)Admission MSc Data AnalyticsDuolingo120IELTS6.5PTE62$49.4K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
220+ More Programs
8.0/10(58 Users)Ranked 122 by THE in 2026Ranked 74 by QS in 2026
#15University of Southampton logo

University of Southampton, Southampton

England, Uk75%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $36.2K/Yr (£27,387/Yr)Living$18.7K/Yr (£14,136/Yr)Admission MBADuolingo120IELTS6.5PTE68$47K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
84+ More Programs
9.0/10(16 Users)Ranked 129 by THE in 2026Ranked 87 by QS in 2026
#16Queen Mary, University of London logo

Queen Mary, University of London, London

England, Uk44%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $43.6K/Yr (£32,993/Yr)Living$8.7K/Yr (£6,571/Yr)Admission MSc Artificial IntelligenceTOEFL92PTE71$46.5K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
325+ More Programs
7.3/10(25 Users)Ranked 134 by THE in 2026Ranked 110 by QS in 2026
#17University of Liverpool logo

University of Liverpool, Liverpool

England, Uk14%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $38.8K/Yr (£29,364/Yr)Living$326.04/Yr (£247/Yr)Admission MBADuolingo120IELTS6.5PTE61$46.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
58+ More Programs
7.0/10(24 Users)Ranked 143 by THE in 2026Ranked 147 by QS in 2026
#18Newcastle University logo

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne

England, Uk87%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $36.5K/Yr (£27,662/Yr)Admission MBADuolingo125IELTS6.5PTE70$43.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
294+ More Programs
7.3/10(19 Users)Ranked 144 by THE in 2026Ranked 137 by QS in 2026
#19University of Nottingham logo

University of Nottingham, Nottingham

England, Uk11%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $37.8K/Yr (£28,626/Yr)Living$11.3K/Yr (£8,533/Yr)Admission MBAIELTS7.0PTE76$44.6K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
222+ More Programs
9.7/10(26 Users)Ranked 145 by THE in 2026Ranked 97 by QS in 2026
#20University of York logo

University of York, York

England, Uk79%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $33.6K/Yr (£25,487/Yr)Living$10.1K/Yr (£7,657/Yr)Admission M.Sc Pharmacology and Drug Devel...Duolingo120TOEFL87PTE60$42.1K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
325+ More Programs
5.7/10(12 Users)Ranked 154 by THE in 2026Ranked 169 by QS in 2026