Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
The United Kingdom is one of the most sought-after choices among international students. The reasons for this country to be a top choice among international students are the presence of some of the top-ranked universities in the world, availability of diverse courses, part-time work opportunities, availability of scholarships, etc.
There are over 165 universities in the UK. It is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, The University of Edinburgh, UCL, etc. Some of the popular courses in the UK are BBA, MIM, BE / BTech, MSc, MBA / PGDM. According to a local daily, nearly 5 lakh students were given visas last year. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, in 2022, the estimated number of Indian students studying in the UK is above 55,000.
Check all the details about Study in UK from here
The United Kingdom is one of the most sought-after choices among international students. The reasons for this country to be a top choice among international students are the presence of some of the top-ranked universities in the world, availability of diverse courses, part-time work opportunities, availability of scholarships, etc.
There are over 165 universities in the UK. It is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, The University of Edinburgh, UCL, etc. Some of the popular courses in the UK are BBA, MIM, BE / BTech, MSc, MBA / PGDM. According to a local daily, nearly 5 lakh students were given visas last year. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, in 2022, the estimated number of Indian students studying in the UK is above 55,000.
Check all the details about Study in UK from here
Latest Update:
- The British Council has announced winners of UK Alumni Awards in India. Some of the students who were felicitated with the awards are Sandhya Sukumaran, Dr. Sushrima Gan, Kajri Babbar, Dr. Savi Munjal and more. Check out the details about the winners and award from here.
- The British Council has launched GREAT Scholarships 2024 for Indian students. Under the GREAT Scholarships 2024 program, Indian students are offered the opportunity to undertake postgraduate taught studies in the UK. Check the details about British Council GREAT Scholarships 2024 from here.
Universities in UK: Highlights
A majority of the UK universities have the September and October admission intake. Other admission intake that the best universities in UK have is in January. To know more about the Universities in UK, check the admission highlights given below:
| Parameter |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| No. of Universities in UK |
167 |
| Tuition fees of universities in UK |
Up to INR 10 L: 65 Up to INR 40 L: 167 |
| Popular courses in UK |
Law, Business Management, Computer Science, Sociology, Communications / Media |
| English language exams required |
|
| Entrance exams required |
Why Study in UK?
The United Kingdom is one of the favourable countries among international students. Some of the reasons why international students choose the UK as their study destination are availability of diversified courses, high-quality education, rich cultural experience, part-time work opportunities, availability of scholarships, etc.
Part-Time Work Options in UK
International students who are studying at a degree level or more can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Marketing, Accountancy, Health Services, Retail, Customer Service, etc. are some of the high-paying job sectors for students studying in the UK. Some of the top part-time jobs in the UK for international students are:
- Teaching Assistant
- Baby sitter
- Tutor
- Event Planner
- Library Assistant
Student Visa in UK
International students who want to pursue higher education in some of the best universities in UK must have a UK Student Visa, previously called as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa. The fee for UK Student Visa is Pound 363 (Approx INR 37,000). The documents required to apply for a UK Student Visa are a completed student visa application form, proof of parent’s or guardian’s consent, original mark sheets / provisional certificates, proof of funds, etc.
Post-Work Permit in UK
After the completion of studies in the UK, students can apply for a UK Post-Study Work Visa. Through this work permit, international students will be able to stay back in the UK to search for a job for a period of two years after the completion of their graduate studies. For graduate students, who have a PhD or other doctoral degree, the Graduate Visa will last for 3 years.
Top Job Sectors in UK & Economy
A few of the popular job sectors in the UK are Accountancy, Banking and Finance; Business, Consulting and Management, Energy and Utilities, Healthcare, Law, etc. According to OECD, in 2023, the GDP growth in the UK is expected to be at 0.3%. Furthermore, it is expected to improve moderately to 1.0% in 2024.
Top Universities in UK
Some of the top-ranked universities in the UK are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Warwick, etc. Check UK University ranking from the table given below:
| University |
QS World University Rankings 2024 |
THE World University Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge |
#2 |
#5 |
| University of Oxford |
#3 |
#1 |
| Imperial College London |
#6 |
#8 |
| UCL |
#9 |
#22 |
| The University of Edinburgh |
#22 |
#30 |
| The University of Manchester |
#32 |
#51 |
| King’s College |
#40 |
#38 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science |
#45 |
#46 |
| University of Bristol |
#55 |
#81 |
| The University of Warwick |
#67 |
#106 |
Best Engineering Universities in UK
According to QS Engineering & Technology, some of the top-ranked universities for Engineering & Technology in the UK are the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL, etc.
| Particulars |
QS Subject Ranking for Engineering & Technology 2023 |
|---|---|
| University of Cambridge |
#3 |
| University of Oxford |
#4 |
| Imperial College London |
#6 |
| The University of Manchester |
#32 |
| UCL |
#39 |
| The University of Edinburgh |
#59 |
| University of Southampton |
#88 |
| University of Leeds |
#100 |
| University of Bristol |
#112 |
| University of Birmingham |
#114 |
Best Business & Management Universities in UK
To have an idea about the top Business & Management Universities in UK, students can have a look at the table given below:
| Particulars |
QS Subject Ranking Business & Management Studies 2023 |
|---|---|
| London Business School |
#3 |
| University of Cambridge |
#8 |
| University of Oxford |
#9 |
| LSE |
#11 |
| The University of Warwick |
#22 |
| Imperial College London |
#28 |
| The University of Manchester |
#35 |
| The University of Leeds |
#67 |
Best Law & Legal Studies Universities in UK
A few of the top-ranked universities in the UK for Law & Legal Studies are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, LSE, UCL, The University of Edinburgh, etc. The top-ranking Law Universities in UK are mentioned below:
| University |
QS Law & Legal Studies Ranking 2023 |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford |
#2 |
| University of Cambridge |
#3 |
| LSE |
#7 |
| UCL |
#14 |
| King’s College London |
#15 |
| The University of Edinburgh |
#17 |
| Durham University |
#46 |
| University of Glasgow |
#56 |
| The University of Manchester |
#57 |
| University of Bristol |
#59 |
Also Read
Top Cities to Study in UK
A majority of the best universities in UK are situated in London and West Midlands. Other UK Universities are located in the cities like Scotland, Hampshire, West Yorkshire, etc.
| Particulars |
QS Best Student Cities 2024 |
|---|---|
| London |
#1 |
| Edinburgh |
#16 |
| Manchester |
#30 |
| Glasgow |
#36 |
| Bristol |
#44 |
| Coventry |
#44 |
Also Read:
Top Courses in UK
A large number of best universities in UK offer courses like BBA, MIM, BTech, MSc, BSc, MA, MBA / PGDM, BA, BJMC, LLM, etc. Check the number of UK universities offering these courses from the table given below:
| Courses |
No. of Universities |
|---|---|
| 142 |
|
| 141 |
|
| 121 |
|
| 120 |
|
| 117 |
|
| 101 |
|
| BA |
96 |
| BJMC |
80 |
| 78 |
|
| 78 |
Admission Requirements in UK
To study in the UK universities, international students are required to submit the test scores of some of the standardized exams. Besides this, students are also required to submit a proof of English language proficiency.
Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in UK
GMAT / GRE / SAT are some of the entrance exams that are accepted by universities in the UK. The number of UK universities accepting these tests is given below:
| Tests |
No. of Universities |
|---|---|
| GMAT |
16 |
| GRE |
9 |
| SAT |
2 |
English Language Requirements by Universities in UK
One of the admission requirements to study in UK for Indian students is the submission of English language proficiency scores. The English language test scores that are accepted by the universities in the UK are IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo / OET.
| Tests |
No. of Universities |
|---|---|
| IELTS |
167 |
| PTE |
147 |
| TOEFL |
31 |
| Duolingo |
31 |
Documents required
- Academic transcripts
- Test scores of standardized exams like GMAT / GRE / SAT
- English language proficiency test score like IELTS / TOEFL / PTE
- Completed application form
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Portfolio
- Passport size photographs (if asked)
- Copy of the passport
- Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities
Also Read: Documents required for Admission in UK
Cost of Studying in UK
The range of first-year tuition fees for the majority of the UK universities is between INR 20 lakh – INR 40 lakh. Usually, the tuition fee to study in the UK varies as per the university, courses and city. For international students in the UK, the tuition fee starts from £10,000 and goes up to £38,000 per year. The average cost of studying in the UK is around £22,200 (Around INR 23 lakh).
| Range of 1st-Year Tuition Fees |
No. of Universities |
|---|---|
| Max 10 Lakh |
65 |
| Max 20 Lakh |
160 |
| Max 30 Lakh |
165 |
| Max 40 Lakh |
167 |
| 40 Lakh+ |
31+ |
Also Read: Cost of Studying in UK
Cost of Living in UK
The average cost of living in UK is around £12,000 per year (Around INR 12 lakh). Note that the average cost of living in London will be higher as compared to other UK cities. As per Numbeo, on average, the cost of living in the United Kingdom is 171% higher than in India.
Also Read: Cost of Living for International Students in UK
Scholarships in UK
Various universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students. Given below is a list of the scholarships offered by the UK universities.
| Scholarship Name |
Offered by |
Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rhodes Scholarship – MBA |
University of Oxford |
Around INR 90 L |
| Felix Scholarships - MBA |
University of Oxford |
Around INR 75 L |
| Kent Graduate Scholarship |
University of Kent |
Around INR 3 L |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship - MBA |
University of Cambridge |
Around INR 87 L |
| WBS Scholarship |
The University of Warwick |
Around INR 25 L |
Also Read: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
Jobs in UK
Some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK are Legal Professionals, Marketing and Sales Directors, Medical Practitioners, Financial Managers and Directors, IT and Telecommunication Directors, etc. The average salary for the graduates of some of the top-ranked universities in the UK is given below:
| University |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford |
£78,895 (MBA Class of 2020/21) |
| University of Cambridge |
£75,198 (MBA Class of 2021/22) |
| Imperial College London |
£68,441 (MBA Class of 2022) |
| The University of Warwick |
£70,746 (MBA Class of 2020/21) |
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Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
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Commonly asked questions On Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Q: Which university is the cheapest in UK?
Some of the low-cost universities in the UK are Staffordshire University, Teesside University, Leeds Beckett University, London Metropolitan University, Coventry University, etc. The first-year tuition fees for these universities in UK is given below:
University | First-Year Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
Staffordshire University | INR 10.7 L - INR 19.3 L |
Coventry University | INR 4.1 L - INR 20.8 L |
University of Cumbria | INR 10.7 L - INR 15.2 L |
London Metropolitan University | INR 4.6 L - INR 17.8 L |
Also Read: Most Affordable Universities in UK
Q: How much does it cost to study in UK?
A range of first-year tuition fees for a large chunk of the UK universities is between INR 20 Lacs – INR 40 lakh. Generally, the tuition fee to study in UK varies as per the university, city, and course opted. The tuition fee in the UK for international students starts from £10,000 and go up to £38,000 per year. The average cost of studying in the UK is around £22,200 (Around INR 23 lakh).
The first-year tuition fee for the top-ranked universities in the UK is given below:
University | First-Year Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
University of Oxford | INR 13 L - INR 72.6 L |
University of Cambridge | INR 21.8 L - INR 65 L |
Imperial College London | INR 15.2 L - INR 62.5 L |
UCL | INR 16.3 L - INR 58.6 L |
The University of Edinburgh | INR 20.8 L - INR 39.1 L |
Q: Is London expensive for Indian students?
Many universities of UK are situated in London namely Imperial College London; King’s College London; University of East London; City, University of London; University College London; University of Greenwich. The average cost of London is higher than the other cities of the UK. On average, students need around £200 – £300 per week to live in or around London. As per Numebeo.com, the estimated monthly cost for a single person is around INR 1 Lacs without rent.
Q: What are the top 10 universities in UK?
If we talk about the Top 10 universities in the UK, then as per the Times Higher Education, the University of Oxford is in the top of the list of the best universities in the UK 2024. Check UK University ranking as per THE for 2024 from the table given below:
UK Rank 2024 | World University 2024 Rank | University Name |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | University of Oxford |
2 | 5 | University of Cambridge |
3 | 8 | Imperial College London |
4 | 22 | UCL |
5 | 30 | University of Edinburgh |
6 | 38 | King’s College London |
7 | 46 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
8 | 51 | University of Manchester |
9 | 81 | University of Bristol |
10 | 87 | University of Glasgow |
Q: What is the Number 1 college in London?
Some of the top universities in London according to Times Higher Education are Imperial College London, UCL, King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science, Brunel University London, City, University of London, etc. Check the rankings of these top London Universities as per THE in 2024:
London Rank 2024 | World University Rank 2024 | University Name |
|---|---|---|
1 | #8 | Imperial College London |
2 | #22 | UCL |
3 | #38 | King’s College London |
4 | #46 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
5 | #135 | Queen Mary University of London |
6 | #301-350 | Royal Holloway, University o London |
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Commonly asked questions On Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Q: What is the No. 1 University in the UK?
According to QS World University Rankings 2024, some of the top-ranked universities in the UK are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, The University of Edinburgh, etc. Know the UK University ranking as per QS from the table given below:
University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|
University of Cambridge | #2 |
University of Oxford | #3 |
Imperial College London | #6 |
UCL | #9 |
The University of Edinburgh | #22 |
The University of Manchester | #32 |
King’s College | #40 |
London School of Economics and Political Science | #45 |
University of Bristol | #55 |
The University of Warwick | #67 |
Q: Is IELTS required for UK?
Yes, generally, international students are required to submit the IELTS test score as a proof to show English language proficiency. In the UK, more than 165 universities accept IELTS score. The universities that accept IELTS score are University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, King’s College London, University of East London, etc. To take admission to the top-ranked universities in the UK, the minimum range of IELTS score varies from 6.0 – 7.5.
Also Read: How to Study in UK without IELTS
Q: Which are the best universities in the UK for an Indian to apply to?
According to some experts, some of the Tier 1 UK Universities are University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, Durham University, Cardiff University, Warwick University, University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Edinburgh. In case if students want to study in Tier 2 ranked universities, the fee structure will be around INR 20 – 25 lakh and some of the universities under this range are:
- University of Leeds
- University of Liverpool
- University of East Anglia
- University of Exeter
- Queen’s University of Belfast
Q: What are the best and affordable MBA colleges and universities in UK?
Some of the top-ranked MBA UK Universities are London Business School, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Manchester, etc. Below given are the QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 of these UK Universities:
University | QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|
London Business School | #4 |
University of Cambridge | #9 |
University of Oxford | #18 |
Imperial College London | #20 |
University of Manchester | #49 |
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Commonly asked questions On Top Universities and Colleges in UK - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Q: What are the criteria for Indian students in the UK?
To study in the UK, the applicants are required to meet the below-given admission requirements:
- Formal Schooling
- Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
- GMAT / GRE / SAT test score
- English language proficiency test score
- Resume
- Essays
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- ID proof
- Financial proof
- Any other additional document
Q: What is the best job sector to work in the UK?
Some of the popular job sectors in the UK are Accountancy, Banking and Finance; Business, Consulting and Management, Energy and Utilities, Healthcare, Law, etc. Some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK are Legal Professionals, Medical Practitioners, Advertising and Public Relations Directors, Financial Managers and Directors, IT and Telecommunications Managers, etc. According to Save the Student, below-given are the best paid jobs in the UK:
- Marketing, Sales and Advertising Directors: £77,695
- Information Technology Directors: £73,571
- Public Relations and Communication Directors: £66,510
- Financial Managers and Directors: £64,193
Q: What universities in the UK, besides Oxford and Cambridge, are considered elite? Is there any Ivy League bigger than these two schools?
As per some experts, given below is the non-exhaustive list of the UK universities that are good besides Oxford and Cambridge. This list is based on international recognition, research excellence and employer reputation.
- Imperial College
- London School of Economics
- University College London
- King’s College London
- The University of Edinburgh
- The University of Glasgow
- Durham University
- University of Nottingham
- Queen’s University, Belfast
Also, note that the answer to this question will be very subjective as it is really competitive to get into the University of Oxford and Cambridge University. Another review on this has quoted that some of the other universities that are considered elite are UCL, King’s College London, Imperial, LSE, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, etc.
Q: What are the 10 best student cities in the UK for international students?
The top student cities in the UK for international students:
- London: Being the capital of the UK, London have various universities, opportunities for internships, and cultural attractions
- Edinburgh: This is a historic city with a strong academic reputation and a vibrant cultural scene
- Manchester: It is known for its art, music, and sports scene and also, for its strong academic institutions and diverse student community
- Bristol: This is a vibrant and green city with a thriving student community
- Cambridge: Another historic city is Cambridge. It has world-renowned universities and a rich cultural scene
According to QS Best Student Cities 2024, the top UK student cities are given below:
Cities | Rank |
|---|---|
London | #1 |
Edinburgh | #16 |
Manchester | #30 |
Glasgow | #36 |
Newcastle Upon Tyne | #39 |
Bristol | #44 |
Coventry | #44 |
Birmingham | #49 |
Nottingham | #52 |
Leeds | #55 |
Q: Which city in UK is best for Indians?
Most of the UK Universities are located in London. Other locations where the UK universities are situated are West Midlands, Scotland, Hampshire, West Yorkshire, Surrey, etc. London tops the best student cities list as per QS Best Student Cities 2024. Other best student cities in the UK are Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Coventry, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, etc.
Also Check: Top Facts about London
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