Best Universities in UK with Ranking & Fees

The City University of London is a world-class research university in the heart of London, England. It began as the Northampton Institute in 1894 and became a university in 1966. The university provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in fields such as business, law, engineering, health, social sciences, and the arts. City University is well-known for its dedication to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and strong industry partnerships, which provide students with opportunities for work experience and internships. The university is also ranked among the top universities in the world for the quality of its teaching and the impact of its research.

The University of East Anglia (UAE) is a British public research university located in Norwich, England. The university was established in the year 1963. Initially, the Earlham golf course on the Norwich outskirts was chosen as the site for a permanent campus in 1961. The institution was set in the present-day University village with space for teaching 1200 students.

Today the University of East Anglia is situated at Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom.

Additionally, the University of East Anglia UK ranking is #3555 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education 2024 and #251-300

Furthermore, the QS World University Rankings by TopUniveristies 2024 places the University of East Anglia at #332.

Birkbeck University of London, UK, is a leading research and academic institution with a ranking of 408th in the QS World University Rankings (2025). It is also at 301-350th in THE World University Rankings (2024). The University celebrated 100 years as a part of the University of London in 2020. 

It has accreditation from the Small Business Charter for the School of Business, Economics and Informatics, Royal Statistical Society, British Computing Society, ACCA, CFA Institute, CIMA, CIM, ICAEW, and CMI. More than 65,000 Birkbeck alumni are in the UK and from 130+ countries. 

Birkbeck University campus is located in Bloomsbury in central London.  Major research centres at the institute include the Institute of Earth and Planetary Science, Institute for the Moving Image, Institute for Structural Molecular Biology and the Institute for Social Research. 

There are undergraduate, postgraduate, short, and PhD/MPhil programs for students. Some top study disciplines include arts and architecture, accounting, archaeology, management, art history, business studies, chemistry, classics, criminology and criminal justice, digital media, data science, education, economics, finance, film and media studies, geography, and more. 

Noted alumni include writer-professor Sir Roger Scruton, crystallographer JD Bernal, social reformer Annie Besant, college founder and doctor George Birkbeck, poet-playwright TS Eliot, and biophysicist Rosalind Franklin. 

The careers service is readily available for students, helping them enhance their employability. They can also find jobs and internships while getting career-related advice and information. This service helps with recruitment and employability solutions and events, along with offering employability guidance, career coaching, panel discussions, workshops, resumes and application assistance.

The Birbeck University London UK was founded in 1823 with the aim of helping citizens of London get quality education that changes their lives. The Birbeck University London will celebrate its 200th year in 2023. The university is a part of the University of London, celebrating 100 years of its association in 2019. The institution takes classes in the evening with students getting ample scope of work and internships during the daytime along with research and other academic pursuits.

The Birbeck University London ranking is 332 in the QS World University Rankings list and 351-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022 tally.

The University of Dundee is a Scottish public research university located in Dundee. It was established as a university college in 1881 with a donation from the prominent textile manufacturer Baxter family. For most of its early history, the institution was a constituent college of the University of St Andrews, along with United College and St Mary's College, both of which were located in St Andrews. The University of Dundee gained independent university status by royal charter in 1967, after a significant expansion, while retaining elements of its ancient heritage and governance structure. The University of Dundee is divided into eight faculties. Furthermore, each of these schools has its research center or unit.

The University of Kent UK is a British University that offers multiple facilities, leading research, and well-experienced teachers. With campuses at Canterbury and Medway and centres in Brussels and Paris, Kent has a highly inclusive learning environment. Students who want to excel in academics and experience vibrant student life are best suited to enrol at the university. 

The institution is known for great placement and career opportunities. Students who are willing to shape their future with a challenging and innovative career path can pursue courses like Informational Technology, Data Science, and Business Management courses. These courses and curriculum guarantee the well-supervised placement and skilled approach towards job roles.

As a specialized postgraduate institution, Cranfield is producing worldwide leaders in technology and management due to its top-notch faculty, expansive facilities, and unparalleled industrial collaborations. Cranfield is well known for their education portfolio's application to business and industry. Being the biggest engineering master's degree provider in the UK, they also provide a flagship MBA, comprehensive, bespoke executive education, and professional development programs. Their work influences public policy and sets the standard for developing innovative new products and technology in collaboration with business.

Latest About Cranfield University 

In order to address the severe skills deficit in the country and to encourage the expansion of higher education participation, Cranfield University and Aston University have formed a new strategic partnership that will expand educational and research opportunities. On August 1, 2024, Professor Dame Helen Atkinson DBE FREng, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Professor Stephen Garrett, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences, signed the agreement. With an initial focus on sustainable and aeronautical engineering, the cooperation will see the two schools collaborate to create a clear route for students to go from Aston's undergraduate engineering degrees to Cranfield's unique postgraduate programs. Cranfield and Aston University will investigate together the creation of new degree apprenticeships as part of this.

Highlights of Cranfield University

History of Cranfield University

The College of Aeronautics, established in 1946 and housed in the RAF station in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, was the precursor to Cranfield University. The advancement of numerous facets of aviation research and design during the 1950s and 1960s resulted in significant expansion and diversification into other fields including management and production.

The School of Management was established in 1967, making 2017 their 50th anniversary.

The College of Aeronautics was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1969 and granted full degree-awarding authority as The Cranfield Institute of Technology.

Significant advancements have been made more recently, including an academic collaboration with the Defence Academy in the United Kingdom, located in Shrivenham, Wiltshire.

Mission: Cranfield develops and delivers cutting-edge scientific, technology, engineering, and management education in collaboration with industry, academia, governments, and other organizations.

Vision: To be respected internationally for addressing today's pressing concerns and ensuring a sustainable future

Values: 

• Ambition: The goals of Cranfield are lofty. They exert every effort to attain greatness.
• Impact: Cranfield’s work alters people's lives. They improve the state of the globe.
• Respect: Everyone's skill is valued by Cranfield. They help one another out.
• Community: We create and value our community here in Cranfield. We welcome variety.

Popular Courses:

The popular courses offered by Cranfield University are listed below:

• Accounting and Finance
• Aerospace Dynamics
• Banking, Economics and Finance
• Business Data Analytics
• Cyberspace Operations
• Communications Electronic Warfare
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability MSc (formerly Advanced Digital Energy Systems MSc)
• Defence Simulation and Modelling
• Engineering and Management of Manufacturing Systems
• Engineering Competence
• Finance
• Food Systems and Management
• Guided Weapon Systems
• Gun Systems Design
• Information Capability Management
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Maintenance Engineering and Asset Management
• Management
• Pre-master's in Engineering
• Procurement and Supply Chain Management
• Renewable Energy
• Robotics
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Strategic Marketing
• Thermal Power and Propulsion
• Through-life System Sustainment
• Water and Wastewater Processes MSc
• Water and Wastewater Processes MSc - Engineering route

Cranfield University Placements

Cranfield's team has extensive practical experience in coaching, recruitment, and professional development. As an approved member of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), Cranfield offers all students a customized Career Development Service, striving to improve careers and expand opportunities. Cranfield is passionate about assisting students in starting their new postgraduate careers.

Cranfield provides a 24 hour CV critiquing software, an online career development and talent management system, an improved and interactive intranet hub, and subscriptions to internet resources. They also often list job openings. In-person coaching sessions, help with CVs, cover letters, and interviews, digital resources like factsheets, training sessions on assessment centers, application forms, and psychometrics, and guidance on launching a business are just a few of the ways they offer support. 

Cranfield University Campus Life

On the Cranfield campus are the Cranfield School of Management, the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, and the School of Water, Energy, and Environment. A wide variety of distinctive, industrial-scale research facilities are also available.

Every campus amenity, including stores, cafes, post offices, cash machines, and sports halls, may be reached on foot. A short drive away are the historic towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes, which offer excellent shopping and entertainment opportunities.

Cranfield University Alumni

The notable alumni of Cranfield University includes Sarah Willingham, Siddhartha Lal, Winnie Byanyima, Andy Palmer, and so on. 

Brunel University London has three colleges, namely the Colleges of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Design. Brunel University London UK was founded in 1966 and it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. Yet, the original inception goes back to 1798 through previous ancestors like the Maria Grey, Borough Road, and Shoreditch Colleges along with the West London Institute of Higher Education and the reputed Acton Technical College (previously Brunel College). It is now a university with close to 13,000 students and varied specializations. 

Swansea University is a public research university in Wales, United Kingdom (UK). It is the third-largest institute in Wales with respect to the student population. The university possesses a multicultural dial-campus and critically acclaimed professors and has a strength of 20,400 students under the guidance of 3300 quality staff and faculty members.

Established in 1920 as the University College of Swansea, it was the fourth college under the University of Wales. In 1996, structural modifications led to a title change, and the institution came to be known as the University of Wales Swansea. Finally, in 2007, when the University of Wales was declared a non-membership confederation, it became Swansea University.

Swansea University, UK, today has two campuses. They are:

Singleton Park

Swansea

SA2 8PP

Wales, UK

Bay Campus

Fabian Way

Crymlyn Burrows

Swansea

SA1 8EN

Wales, UK

The Swansea University ranking tally speaks for itself. It was ranked among the top 12 UK universities for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2021. The Guardian University Guide 2022, on the other hand, deemed it as one of the top six universities in the UK for course satisfaction. Ranking 27th in the UK for teaching quality according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, the university also boasts an overall rank of 440 in the QS World University Rankings 2022.

 Home to curious minds and a place of creativity, innovation, and brilliance– the University of Essex is a powerhouse of excellent learning. This public research university began its journey of being a solid visionary in the educational field in 1964. At first, the university only housed 122 students, but over the next five decades, it nurtured curious minds from around the world. Today, students from over 140 countries can be found pursuing their dreams at Essex. Situated at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom (UK) the University of Essex stands at #439 in QS World University Rankings while Times Higher Education (THE) ranks the university between 301–350th in World University Rankings 2022.

Bangor University is a public university in Wales, United Kingdom (UK). The university that was founded in 1884 is renowned for its world-leading research. Bangor University situated in the Bangor region in Wales received its Royal Charter in 1885. Today, the university has over 10,000 students and around 2,000 staff members. 

Founded by royal charter in 1967, the University of Stirling, Scotland, is an esteemed public university in the United Kingdom. Lord Robbins was the first chancellor of the University appointed in 1968. The institution is globally recognised for exceptional teaching quality and research across various fields, solving critical economic, cultural, and social concerns, and making a significant contribution to the world.

In 2016, the ISB (International Student Barometer) named the university's campus the best in the United Kingdom.

SOAS University of London is a world-renowned public research university specializing in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Founded in 1916, it is a constituent college of the University of London and is located in the heart of the city. SOAS is globally recognized for its expertise in area studies, languages, and cultures, making it a leading institution for understanding the interconnected world.

The Goldsmiths, University of London is a public institution at New Cross in southeast London, UK. It ranks 581-690th (2024) in the QS. The Counter Hill Academy started in 1792 and was purchased by the Royal Naval School in 1843. The institution goes back by 200 years. 

The beginning of the 1990s saw it becoming a higher education institution, receiving the Royal Charter from Her Majesty the Queen. 

The University has its campus at New Cross in South East London. Some major research centers include the Centre for Arts and Learning, Asia Centre, Centre for Caribbean and Diaspora Studies, Centre for the Body, Centre for Comparative Literature, Decadence Research Centre, Centre for Community Engagement Research, and the Centre for Feminist Research, among many others. 

There are 20 departments across disciplines, with main subjects including design, art, computing, anthropology, law, history, English and creative writing, sociology, music, media, communication and cultural studies, and visual cultures. There are undergraduate and postgraduate courses on offer. 

Famous alumni include Princess Beatrice of York, artist Damien Hirst, fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, movie director Sam Taylor-Johnson, politician Tessa Jowell, equestrian William Fox-Pitt, and Damon Albarn, the singer-guitarist-songwriter-composer-musician. 

There are several support services for students, including help with their applications and resumes, job hunting, networking, job interviews, assessments, tests, and more. Career planning solutions help students find the right options for their future, along with giving them access to work experience opportunities, part-time work opportunities, co-curricular activities, and volunteering as well. There are several mentoring schemes available for students, along with internships and placements. Students can also find specialist career support and services along with assistance in freelancing and self-employment. The University has a dedicated career support system for its students.

The Anglia Ruskin University in the UK has campuses at Chelmsford and Cambridge. The Anglia Ruskin University was founded in 1858 as the Cambridge School of Art by John Ruskin. It became a university and merged various institutions into it over the years. The merging institutions include the Essex Institute of Higher Education, Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology, and more. There are other campuses in London and Peterborough where the new campus is opening soon. The Peterborough campus will open its doors in September 2022.

Aston University is a public university situated in the city of Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). It has a global, multicultural community with students from more than 120 countries. 

The university received the Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II on 22 April 1966.

The official address of Aston University is:

Aston St, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom

The University of Aston ranking stands at #423, according to QS World University Rankings 2024 while ‘The World University Rankings’ awarded by Times Higher Education 2024, rank the university at #401-500. 

The University of Cumbria, UK, founded in 2007, has already earned a name in the academic world. The Cumbrian campus of UCLan, Cumbria Institute of Arts, and St Martin’s College merged to become the University of Cumbria in 2007, with its headquarters in Carlisle. The Privy Council granted a Royal Charter in January 2007. It provides courses at the doctorate, undergraduate, and graduate levels.

The University of Brighton is ranked among the top 50 universities in the UK, for its academic excellence and for bringing out brilliant graduates. The university has been a part of the city of Brighton & Hove since the year 1859 when it started as a premium school for art in the kitchen of the royal pavilion and since then it has grown up to be one of the global leading universities today.

Nestled along the breathtaking coast of Plymouth, England, the University of Plymouth shines as a dynamic and forward-looking public research institution. With a remarkable legacy spanning back to 1862, the university offers an impressive array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across a wide range of fields. Renowned for its hands-on and practical approach to learning and research, the University of Plymouth provides students with invaluable opportunities to gain real-world experience and forge meaningful connections. The university's cutting-edge facilities, accomplished faculty, and nurturing learning environment foster a spirit of creativity, critical thinking, and innovation. Students at the University of Plymouth reap the benefits of strong industry ties, access to placement opportunities, and a vibrant campus life that fosters personal growth and social engagement. Embracing the principles of sustainability and social responsibility, the University of Plymouth equips its graduates with the tools and mindset to make a positive impact in their chosen professions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Ulster University, United Kingdom, is a prestigious multi-campus public university that traces its origin back to 1845. 

Today the institution boasts of a diverse and modern structure with about 27,000 students and is located in Northern Ireland, with campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Londonderry, and Jordanstown. In addition, it also has a designated fifth campus that is completely virtual- Campus One.

Ulster University has branch campuses in London, Birmingham, and Qatar that are run in partnership with QA higher education.

Ulster University’s ranking is remarkable. It occupies a #651 rank on the QS world university rankings and is ranked at a respectable #41 in terms of QS WUR ranking by subject.