Best Universities in UK with Ranking & Fees

The United Kingdom (UK) is renowned for some of the world's best educational institutions, which offer diverse academic programs and maintain high standards of academic excellence. To promote independent thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-motivation, universities in the UK use a combination of traditional lectures and innovative teaching techniques. In the classroom, lab, or on field trips, students work in small groups to solve real-life problems related to their future careers. This motivates international students to leverage the best universities and colleges in the UK.

Rightly so, the UK education standards are among the highest worldwide, with rigorous monitoring and regulation by bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). This ensures that students receive top-tier education, which is both challenging and rewarding. To help you choose the right program, we have compiled a list of universities in the UK, along with their rankings and costs.

Top 10 Universities in UK

Listed below are the top universities in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	#2	#5	£25,734	-
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	#3	#1	£40,835	6-12
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	#6	#8	£37,900	-
University College London (UCL)	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	#9	#22	£37,500	-
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	#22	#30	£26,500	330
The University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	#32	#51	£38,000	-
King’s College London	River Thames, Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS	#40	#38	£27,066	-
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE	#45	#46	£26,784	15
University of Bristol	Beacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU	#55	#81	£26400	-
The University of Warwick	Coventry CV4 7AL	#67	#106	£31,620	100-120

Related Article: Top 50 Universities in the UK in 2024

Best Public Universities in UK

Listed below are the best public universities to study in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking  2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Oxford	Oxford	#3	#1	£33,050 to £48,620	6-12
University of Cambridge	Cambridge	#2	#5	£25,734	-
University College London	London	#9	#22	£37,500	-
The University of Edinburgh	Edinburgh	#22	#30	£26,500	330
The London School of Economics and Political Science	London	#45	#46	£26,784	15
The University of Manchester	Manchester	#32	#51	£38,000	-
University of Southampton	Southampton	#81	#97	£27,400	-
University of Glasgow	Glasgow	#76	#87	£53,460	-
Imperial College London	London	#6	#8	£37,900	-

Best Private Universities in UK

Listed below are the best private universities in the UK where you can study.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Buckingham	Buckingham	#154	-	£22,200	70
The University of Law	Guildford	-	-	£16,700	-
St Mary's University	Twickenham	-	#301-400	£16,320	25-30
Regent's University London	London	-	-	£22,500 - £25,000	15
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance	London	#19 (by subject)	-	£21,020	26
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland	Glasgow	#6 (by subject)	-	£27,968	13
Arts University Plymouth	Plymouth	561	#401-500	£16,500	-
The London Institute of Banking and Finance	London	-	-	-	-
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts	Liverpool	-	#168	£18,500	5-7

Best Universities in UK for Master’s

Pursuing a master’s from the UK can help you take your career to the next level. 

Best Universities in UK for MBA

Below are the top universities where you can study for an MBA in the UK.

University	Location	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024	Average Fees for the First Year
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	=1	£69,000
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	=1	£117,080
London School of Economics and Political Science	Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE	3	£115,000
UCL	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	4	£42,500
University of Warwick	Coventry CV4 7AL	5	£53,750
University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	6	£48,000
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	7	£40,900
King’s College London	River Thames, Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS	8	£49,900
University of Nottingham	Nottingham NG7 2RD	9	£30,200
University of Reading	Whiteknights House, Reading RG6 6UR	10	£26,950

Related Article: Top Business Schools in UK

Best Universities in UK for Masters in Computer Science

Listed below are the top universities for MS in Computer Science in UK. 

University	Location	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024	Average Fees for the First Year
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	11	£48,620
University College London	Gower St, London WC1E 6BT	25	£19,300
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	33	£41,750
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	41	£55,663
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	53	£40,900
Lancaster University	Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW	121	£26,492
University of Surrey	Stag Hill, University Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH	123	£24,000
Queen Mary University London	327 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4NS	125	£31,850
University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	133	£36,000
University of Bristol	Beacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU	147	£34,200

Best Universities for Masters in Physiotherapy in UK

Listed below are the top universities to study Masters Physiotherapy in the UK.

University	Location	QS Subject Ranking 2024	Average Annual Fees
UCL	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	9	24,000 GBP
University of Birmingham		84	£26,410
University of Nottingham	Nottingham NG7 2RD	=100	£22,600
University of Bath	Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY	148	£5,025
Cardiff University	Cardiff CF10 3AT	=154	£28,200
Loughborough University	Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU	212	£30,500
Brunel University	Kingston Ln, London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH	343	£9,250
Manchester Metropolitan University	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	590	£23,615
University of Brighton	58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY	751-800	£17,900
Leeds Beckett University	Leeds LS1 3HE	1001-1200	£9900

Best Universities for Data Science in UK 

Listed below are the top universities to study Data Science in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	4	£33,970	6-12
UCL	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	18	£19,300	-
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	19	£34,350	-
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	=21	£19,100	330
King's College London	River Thames, Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS	51-70	£35,244	-
Lancaster University	Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW	51-70	£29,150	-

Best Universities for BSc Economics in UK

Listed below are the top universities to study BSc Economics in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE	7	£26,784	15
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	9	£38,550	85
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	10	£25,734	-
UCL	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	18	£35,000	-
The University of Warwick	Coventry CV4 7AL	=23	£24,800	100-120
London Business School	The Regent's Park, London NW1 4SA	=28	£28,176	-
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	=30	£39,100	-
The University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	63	£30,000	-
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	=70	£24,500	330
University of Nottingham	Nottingham NG7 2RD	=96	£9,250	-

Best Medical Universities in UK 

Listed below are the top universities to study Medical Science in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	2	£31,480	6-12
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	5	£69,000	-
UCL	Gower Street, Bloomsbury, Central London	6	£9,250	-
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	8	£ 20,400	-
King's College London	River Thames, Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS	13	£48,600	-
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	22	£49,900	330
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT.	24	£31,890	-
The University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	30	£38,000	-
University of Glasgow	Glasgow G12 8QQ	=48	£53,460	-
Queen Mary University of London	East London	57	£48,700	-

Related Article: Master’s in Physiotherapy in the UK

Best Architecture Universities in UK

Listed below are the top universities to study Architecture in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking 2024	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	1	£27,875	-
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	2	£12,935	-
UCL	Bloomsbury, central London	3	£31,100	-
Durham University	The Palatine Centre, University, Stockton Rd, Durham DH1 3LE	=5	24,500	-
University of York	Heslington, York YO10 5DD	=26	£23,900	-
The University of Sheffield	Sheffield S10 2TN	=29	£25,230	-
University of Southampton	Southampton, England.	=36	£27,400	-
The University of Edinburgh	Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL	42	£34,800	330
University of Glasgow	Glasgow G12 8QQ	43	£30,240	-
University of Exeter	Exeter, Devon	=44	£29,700	-

Related Article: 

Best Management Universities in UK

Listed below are the top universities to study Management in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
London Business School	The Regent's Park, London NW1 4SA	3	£47,500	-
University of Oxford	Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD	6	£38,550	6-12
University of Cambridge	The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN	8	£69,000	-
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE	12	£26,784	15
The University of Warwick	Coventry CV4 7AL	26	£36,250	100-120
Imperial College London	Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ	29	£37,000	-
The University of Manchester	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	39	£30,000	-
Aston University	Aston St, Birmingham B4 7ET	66	£23,500	-
Lancaster University	Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW	=72	£31,500	-
Swansea University	Swansea, Wales	=78	£ 20,600	-

Best University for Supply Chain Management in UK

Listed below are the top universities to study Supply Chain Management in the UK.

University	Location	QS World University Ranking	Average Fees for the First Year	Average Class Size
Manchester (Alliance)	Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL	7	21,000 GBP	-
Cranfield School of Management	College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL	14	22,150 GBP	152
Durham University Business School	Stockton Road, The Palatine Center, Durham, DH1 3LE	22	£8,500	-
Newcastle University Business School	Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear NE1 7RU	26	£20,590	-
Bayes Business School (formerly Cass)	Bayes Business School	30	£31,000	-
University of Bristol	Beacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU	=47	£32,300	-
Aston Business School	295 Aston Express Way, Birmingham B4 7UP	51	£23,500	-
Brunel Business School	Eastern Gateway, Kingston Ln, Uxbridge UB8 3PN	51	£25,000	-
Edinburgh Napier University (The Business School)	9 Sighthill Ct, Edinburgh EH11 4BN	51	£7,965	-
Kent Business School	The University of Kent campus in Canterbury and at Medway on Chatham Historic Dockyard	51	£22,700	-

Trending Courses to Pursue at UK Universities

Data Science and Analytics: With the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making across industries, courses in data science, machine learning, and analytics continue to be in high demand.

• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence: The rapid advancement of technology fuels the demand for skilled professionals in computer science and AI. Specializations such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and robotics are also popular.
• Healthcare and Medicine: Given the global focus on healthcare, courses related to medicine, nursing, public health, and healthcare management remain popular. Additionally, specialized fields like biotechnology and bioinformatics are gaining traction.
• Environmental Sciences and Sustainability: Concerns about climate change and sustainability drive interest in environmental science, renewable energy, conservation, and related fields.
• Business and Management: Business degrees with specializations in areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and international business continue to attract students aiming for careers in diverse industries.
• Engineering: Traditional engineering disciplines like civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering remain popular, along with newer fields like aerospace, nanotechnology, and renewable energy engineering.
• Cybersecurity: With the increasing frequency of cyber threats, cybersecurity courses are in demand to train professionals in protecting digital assets and information.
• Psychology and Mental Health: Growing awareness and emphasis on mental health issues drive interest in psychology and counseling courses.
• International Relations and Global Studies: Given the interconnectedness of economies and societies, courses in international relations, diplomacy, and global studies are popular for students interested in politics, diplomacy, and global affairs.

Remember to research specific universities and their offerings, as trends may vary between institutions. Additionally, consider your interests, career goals, and the job market when choosing a course of study.

Basic Admission Requirements to Study at UK University

Examination Requirements

For your chosen course, you must ensure you have or are likely to achieve the right grades and are in the right subjects before applying. Make sure you check the details of your course requirements. Additionally, English competence through exams such as IELTS or TOEFL is necessary.

Grades expected vary according to the Board with which you are studying; examples of typical requirements from certain example boards are shown below:

• CISCE and NIOS - candidates must score 90% or above in five or more relevant subjects.
• CBSE - candidates must have five or more A1 grades in relevant disciplines.
• State Boards - candidates will be considered individually but normally must have scores of 95% or higher in five or more relevant topics.

Note - There will be additional examinations for certain examinations.

Documents Requirement 

• Passport or Travel Documentation
• Provide qualifications listed on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) if applicable. If no qualifications are listed, none are required.
• English Language Evidence
• Provide translations for documents not in English, including translator validation, contact details, and translation date.
• Submit documents demonstrating sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses, such as bank statements, loan letters, or sponsorship letters.
• If sponsored by a government, provide a consent letter.

Here is a detailed article on top Requirement to Study in UK.

Language Requirements

To study in the UK, students needing a visa must prove they have a certain level of English (B2 level according to CEFR) to the UK Visa and Immigration Authority (UKVI). This requirement applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, formerly known as Tier 4 visa holders. While score needs differ by course and university, here are some general scores for studying in the UK (specific skill scores may also be needed):

IELTS overall score	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5+
TOEFL iBT	72	80	90	100	109–120
LanguageCert SELT (B2 Test)	100–128	132–152	156	NA
LanguageCert SELT (C1 Test)	NA			128	132
CAE or CPE	162–168	169–175	176–184	185–190	191–230
IELTS overall score	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5+
TOEFL iBT	72	80	90	100	109–120
LanguageCert SELT (B2 Test)	100–128	132–152	156	NA
LanguageCert SELT (C1 Test)	NA			128	132
CAE or CPE	162–168	169–175	176–184	185–190	191–230
ISE II (accepted for foundation courses only)	Pass in each section	NA
ISE III	Pass in each section			Merit or above in each section	Check with academic School
ISE IV	Pass in each section

Note - This information is taken from the University of Manchester, and it can vary according to the University.

Intakes at UK Universities

Let’s understand the intakes at UK universities.

• January Intake: The intake that occurs in January and February is regarded as supplemental in terms of admission cycles in the UK. January intake offers a second chance to students who were not accepted into the main intake, even though there are fewer programs offered than in September. It enables students to focus more on their college applications.
• September Intake: The September intake is regarded as the most important of the three intakes held in the UK. The majority of UK universities offer every kind of program during this cycle.  Nonetheless, it will always change based on the course and vary from university to university. The September entry deadline falls during the academic year, from February to May.
• May Intake: In the UK, the least popular admissions are in April and May. Only a select few colleges and universities offer it, with the least options for courses. There are very few candidates available for enrollment in May. This admission cycle features the least tough competition because there is a better chance of earning an offer.

Scholarship Opportunities at UK Universities

Scholarship Name	Scholarship Benefits
British Chevening Scholarships	Full or partial funding for full-time graduate programs in any subject.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries	Scholarships for master’s and PhD studies for international students from developing Commonwealth countries.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities	Scholarships for taught master’s programs relevant to the development of technology, economy, or society in the student’s country of origin.
Euraxess UK	Various graduate research scholarships for international students were provided by the European Commission initiative and managed by the British Council.
CastleSmart Scholarship	£6,000 annually for undergraduate students in the UK (open to all nationalities), requiring a compelling YouTube video outlining study and career plans.
Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship	A $2,000 prize for students enrolled in the UK or elsewhere as high school, undergraduate, or graduate students. It requires an essay submission and is open to all nationalities.
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships	Scholarships for doctoral students, research students, and visiting fellows from India.
Saltire Scholarships	Scholarships are available for students from Canada, the US, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and China to study in Scotland at any degree level.
Aberystwyth University International Scholarships	Various scholarships, bursaries, and award schemes to support international students at Aberystwyth University in Wales.
Bristol University International Scholarships	Scholarships for international students to study at Bristol University in any undergraduate or postgraduate program.

Career Opportunities After Studying at UK University

A degree from the “best public universities in the UK” opens access to a plethora of professional options. Graduates can pursue a variety of careers in a wide range of industries with a globally recognized degree. 

Job Roles	Average Annual Salary
Mechanical Engineer	£40,282
Biomedical Engineer	£35,968
Software engineer	£66,073
Researcher	£35,001
Nutritionist	£39,804

Source: Glassdoor

Why Choosing the Right University Matters?

• Choosing your university or college is an important step in your academic career. It's about figuring out where your values, learning preferences, and goals meet.  
• Every institution has a distinct campus atmosphere, teaching philosophy, and culture. It's not only about the classes; it's also about the environment you'll be in for the next several years. 
• Selecting the right university is important because it contributes to the development of your professional network. It serves as a center for networking and relationships that can be useful in securing internship and employment opportunities. 
• Moreover, the university you choose will have a big influence on your future employment prospects. Check out the guidelines below to find out how to select the best university.

How to Choose the Right University?

• A university's academic reputation is, of course, the main consideration when choosing one. After deciding what you want to study, you begin searching for institutions offering the course and evaluate them according to academic standards. In addition, make sure the teaching methods, curricula, and faculty members align with your preferred learning style.
• The next consideration when selecting a university is a budgetary angle. It is necessary to determine the return on investment for the money you invest in your education. Consider all applicable fees in addition to the tuition.
• On your university campus, you'll spend a lot of time. You'll attend events, work on group projects, hang out with friends, use the recreation center, and more when you're not in class. 
  • Would you prefer an environment more akin to a park or a bustling metropolitan campus?
  • Do you see yourself surrounded by contemporary architecture or buildings covered in ivy?
• Another key factor to take into account is how a university will prepare you for the future. It's crucial to understand how your degree will be used in the workplace, whether you choose to pursue further education or just start working.
  • Exist programs that assist with finding job openings, refining your resume, and enhancing your interviewing techniques?
  • How can the university assist you in preparing for graduate school, medicine, law, or other fields of interest?

Why Choose upGrad Abroad to Study in UK

There are several reasons for selecting upGrad Abroad as your study destination, such as:

• Flexibility: You may study whenever it's convenient for you with upGrad's online courses.
• Affordability: Unlike traditional classroom learning, which often entails extra costs like maintenance fees or administrative charges, upGrad's online courses are affordable.
• Diverse Course Options: Select from a broad selection of courses that span a variety of topics and sectors, offering chances for both professional and personal development at affordable costs that are available everywhere in the world.

Disclaimer: Fees are subject to change depending on various conditions.