NavigateUni has created a ranking of the top 20 universities in the UK. However, note there are hundreds of other options and your ideal university might not be listed here! NavigateUni can guide you in shortlisting the ideal universities for you.
Before going through this list, we suggest you read our complete guide to studying in the UK.
University of Oxford: Renowned for its rich history and academic excellence, Oxford is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It offers a wide range of disciplines and fosters a vibrant intellectual community.
Fun fact: Oxford’s Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, dating back to 1602, and it serves as a legal deposit library, meaning it is entitled to a copy of every book published in the UK.
University of Cambridge: With a reputation for innovation and cutting-edge research, Cambridge consistently ranks among the world’s best universities. Its collegiate system provides a supportive environment for interdisciplinary learning.
Fun Fact: The Cambridge University Botanic Garden houses over 8,000 plant species, including one of the world’s largest collections of tree species. It also served as a filming location for the movie “The Theory of Everything.”
Imperial College London: Recognized for its focus on science, engineering andmedicine. Located in the exclusive neighbourhood of South Kensington in London, near Hyde Park, it features incredibly high academic standards.
Fun fact: The Queen’s Tower, part of Imperial’s South Kensington campus, stands as a lasting reminder of the college’s origins as the Imperial Institute, which was opened by Queen Victoria in 1893.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE): LSE focuses on social sciences and economics, offering rigorous academic programs and promoting critical thinking. It maintains close ties with policymakers and influential thinkers. It has been a breeding ground for prime ministers around the world.
Fun fact: LSE has a secret underground tunnel system that connects several of its buildings, which were originally designed for bomb shelters during World War II.
University College London (UCL): Located in Central London, near the British Museum, UCL is renowned for its research-intensive approach and a very diverse choice of courses It boasts an excellent reputation across the board and it has significantly gone up in university rankings in the last 20 years.
Fun fact: UCL’s Grant Museum of Zoology houses an extraordinary collection of over 68,000 specimens, including some bizarre items like the skeleton of a quagga, an extinct zebra-like animal.
University of Edinburgh: Scotland’s leading institution, the University of Edinburgh, combines historic charm with cutting-edge research. It offers a broad range of programs and attracts students from around the world. The campus is located in the city centre but many find Edinburgh to be a lot more pleasant and liveable than crowded London.
Fun fact: The University of Edinburgh has its own tartan, known as the “Edinburgh University Tartan,” registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
University of Manchester: The University of Manchester features the largest student population in the UK. Its science departments are highly notable. For example, their Physics department was the first to discover Graphene which won them a Nobel prize.
Fun fact: The University of Manchester is home to Jodrell Bank Observatory, famous for its Lovell Telescope, the third-largest steerable radio telescope in the world.
King’s College London: With a central London location and a distinguished history, King’s College London has a good reputation across the board, but particularly excels in Medicine, Law and other social sciences. It is located very close to the London School of Economics, arguably their biggest university rival!
Fun fact: King’s College Chapel, located on the Strand Campus, served as a filming location for the movie “The Da Vinci Code,” adding a touch of mystery to its historic beauty.
London Business School: As one of the world’s premier business schools, LBS offers a transformative education and fosters leadership and entrepreneurship in the global business community. However, note that they only offer graduate programs!
Fun fact: London Business School’s Samuel Johnson statue has become a popular tradition for MBA students, who rub its foot for good luck before exams.
University of Bristol: Bristol is a mid-sized city that pleasantly surprises those looking for a mix of urban and rural environments. It has consistently gone up in rankings over the past few decades.
Fun fact: The Wills Memorial Building, Bristol’s iconic landmark, is known for its impressive Great Hall, which features stunning stained glass windows and hosts various prestigious events.
University of Warwick: Arguably a top 5-6 university in the UK in terms of reputation. Warwick has an impressive campus that provides a relatively rural environment, good sports facilities. Coventry has a reputation for being one of the ugliest cities in the UK but fear not, most students live in Leamington Spa which features a very lively student population.
Fun fact: The University of Warwick has its own art gallery, the Mead Gallery, which showcases contemporary art and hosts exhibitions throughout the year
University of Glasgow: With a rich history dating back to 1451, Glasgow is a leading research-intensive institution in Scotland. Being in Glasgow is appealing to many students looking for an urban environment. Entry requirements are reasonable while offering a good education across the board.
Fun fact: Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum is home to the world’s oldest surviving anatomical theater, where students once gathered to learn about the human body through dissections.
Durham University: Renowned for its collegiate system (the only university in UK alongside Oxford and Cambridge) and strong academic tradition, Durham is a particularly popular university for British students graduating from private schools. However, Durham has made great efforts to diversify its student body and is welcoming to everyone.
Fun fact: Durham University’s campus is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the stunning Durham Cathedral and Castle.
University of Sheffield: Known for its world-class research and strong industry links, Sheffield offers a wide range of programs across multiple disciplines, fostering innovation and academic excellence.
Fun fact: Sheffield is home to the Arts Tower, a 78-meter tall building that features the city’s highest viewpoint, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area.
University of St Andrews: Situated in a picturesque coastal town, St Andrews is renowned for its small class sizes and personalized teaching. It is one of the oldest universities in the UK and is full of tradition. Several members of the British Royal Family, such as Prince William, have studied at this university.
Fun fact: St Andrews is famous for its golf connections, and the university’s students have the unique privilege of being allowed to play on the Old Course.
University of Southampton: Southampton also provides a pleasant medium-size city environment but plenty of green space on campus. It has a strong tradition in sports and good science departments.
Fun fact: Southampton’s National Oceanography Centre is the largest institution of its kind in Europe and is equipped with cutting-edge facilities for marine and oceanographic research.
University of Birmingham: Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and has benefited from London sky-high prices. Many international companies have either partially or fully relocated here. A good fit for those students who want to be close to internships but are not necessarily excited about living in London!
Fun fact: The university’s campus is home to the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which houses an impressive collection of paintings by renowned artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
University of Leeds: Leeds is notorious for having one of the most active student unions across the countries. In fact, its student union has its own nightclub. Coupled with a very large student body and an urban environment, you are guaranteed to have fun here. However, academic standards are rather good and entry requirements are reasonable.
Fun fact: The Parkinson Building, a distinctive art deco structure on campus, was originally intended to be a hospital but was repurposed as the university’s administrative hub.
University of Nottingham: Nottingham is one of the few universities with active campuses outside of the UK, namely China and Malaysia. If doing an exchange in either of those two countries is of interest to you, Nottingham is a very decent choice. The student body is very diverse and the campus has won several awards.
Fun fact: The University of Nottingham is known for its vast and beautiful parklands. The university’s Jubilee Campus is known for its sustainable design and features the largest number of green roofs in the UK, promoting biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Newcastle University: Primarily attracts local students but famous for having a friendly student environment. Newcastle is in the North of England, so definitely don’t expect great weather here!
Fun fact: Its Student Union hosts an annual tradition called the “Toon Raid.” During this event, students dress up as fictional characters and embark on a whimsical parade through the city centre.