List of Top Universities in UK | Study Abroad with digibank

Universities in UK
- An Overview

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Key Takeaways

The UK houses some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities.
Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh feature in the list of best universities in UK.
Universities are ranked on various criteria, including faculty, research, student programs and reviews, and more.
Quality Assurance Agency or QAA conducts independent audits to ensure the quality of college programs.
UK universities are known for their short and flexible graduate and postgraduate programs.

Introduction

The United Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in the world. If your goal in life is to study in the United Kingdom, you are on the right page. A degree from a University in the UK is recognised worldwide. Whether you want to study literature, medicine, engineering, business, or any other course, you will find excellent options in the United Kingdom. There are approximately 395 universities in United Kingdom, four of which have always held a place in the global top 10 universities list, whereas 8 UK universities are named in the global 50. Read on to know more about the top universities in UK.

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Why study in UK?

The United Kingdom houses some of the most-recognised universities globally – Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Edinburgh, for instance. These top colleges in UK boast of the best faculties and leading minds from various fields, known for their innovative teaching approach. A degree earned in the UK has excellent international recognition. Universities in UK have also emerged at the forefront when it comes to research, discoveries, and scientific advancements.

In UK universities, the standard of teaching and research is assessed routinely, and universities are graded by official organisations that ensure that the set benchmarks are met. An agency called the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, or QAA, conducts independent audits ensuring the standard and quality of college programs.

Furthermore, UK is one of the few countries that offer short and flexible graduate, postgraduate, diplomas, and certificate courses. For instance, you can complete your postgraduate course within one year, which in turn helps reduce your tuition and living costs in the UK. The unrivalled cultural diversity of the UK allows you to experience a vibrant and multi-ethnic environment, meet students from various countries and harness skills that can prove vital as you prepare to set foot in the global workforce.

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Best Universities in UK in International Rankings

Three main entities are known for assigning international rankings to UK universities. Let us understand these entities and the factors they consider before deciding what makes the best university in UK.

World Universities Ranking

This entity is created by Times Higher Education. It essentially considers a university's reputation for research. It also assigns ranks based on the frequency at which university papers are quoted across academic journals worldwide.

QS World University Rankings

This entity is created by Top Universities. It basically conducts surveys and interviews global academic experts to evaluate the reputation of global universities, based on the teaching quality and methods.

Best Global Universities Rankings

This entity is created by US News and World Report. It mainly investigates university graduation rates and whether students continue to stay enrolled beyond the first academic year. It further surveys university representatives about the academic performance of students.

Let us now look at the top 10 universities in UK for the academic year 2020-21 and their global ranks.

University Name	Times Higher Education Ranking	TopUniversities Ranking	U.S. News and World Report
University of Oxford	1	5	5
University of Cambridge	6	7	9
Imperial College London	11	8	20
University College London (UCL)	16	10	19
The University of Edinburgh	30	20	30
Kings College London	35	31	34
University of Manchester	51	27	64
University of Bristol	91	58	86
University of Warwick	77	62	135
London School of Economics and Political Science	27	49	244

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Best Universities in UK

Some of the top universities in UK are as under:

The University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is apparently the second oldest university in the world and is often deemed the best university in UK. Oxford University's impressive repertoire boasts of 28 Nobel Prize winners. While its exact establishment date is unknown, the popularity of Oxford rose in 1167, as more people started attending it. Oxford has a reputation for selecting the brightest students, 40% of which are international students. Whether you are studying as a graduate or undergraduate here, you will get noticed by employers. As per the Royale Oxford Academy, 95% of graduates from this great school are recruited in their preferred fields and within six months of graduating. Notable alumni from the University of Oxford include Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkein, Indira Gandhi, Rupert Murdoch, Benazir Bhutto, and current UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The University of Greenwich
Currently ranked as the 84th best university in UK, the University of Greenwich is another prestigious institution you can consider for your higher education. This school is renowned for its high teaching quality, excellence in research, and historic campuses situated in Southeast London and Kent. It also boasts of a diverse student group. Students from over 140 countries prefer to study in this university, and one in every five students comes from a foreign country. The university also has two active students unions running events, societies and clubs, and student bars and shops. These union activities are designed to provide domestic and international students with plenty of opportunities to create social contacts, network and experience new events. The University of Greenwich is known for its intellectually stimulating classes, a broad range of courses at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Cambridge University
Yet another iconic study destination in the world, the University of Cambridge also features in the list of top universities in UK. Ranked the fifth best university globally, it offers certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in a myriad of fields. The courses range from Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic to Computer Science to Management Studies to Veterinary Medicine, and beyond. 50% of the student population in undergraduate courses comes from foreign countries, making it one of the most diverse student campuses to live on. The university holds the distinction of housing one of the largest libraries and museums worldwide. The school also conducts 14 events annually to provide students with better employment opportunities. Noted alumni from the University of Cambridge include Stephen Hawking, John Milton, Oliver Cromwell, and Prince Charles of Wales.
The University of Edinburgh
Consistently ranked in the world top 50 and one of the top 10 best universities in UK, the University of Edinburgh is situated in the picturesque neighbourhood of Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland. Established in 1582, it is the sixth oldest university in the UK and is considered one of the most ancient universities in Scotland. The University of Edinburgh is globally recognised for its research, development and innovation, featuring a world-class faculty of teachers and an array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. According to the latest report by the Quality Assurance Agency, the university was awarded the highest rating for the quality of its student learning experience. The school consistently works towards developing innovative teaching approaches and discovering methods that work best for students, for instance, peer-assisted and e-learning techniques.
The above four universities often feature in the list of the best Universities in United Kingdom. These universities are known for their highly competitive enrolment exams and high cut-off rates. If you dream of attending any of these universities, you must ensure that you stand out, not only with your academic grades but also as an all-rounder.

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Final note

As an international student studying at one of the many prominent universities in United Kingdom, you get to experience academic and social life in a wholly different environment. The list of universities in UK includes high-quality and world-class institutions offering an array of courses across various educational streams. As an international student in the UK, you can benefit from internship opportunities, campus recruitments to some of the best organisations in the UK, and even take up part-time employment during your student years. Finally, an education from a UK-based university is the gateway to other European cities, including Paris, Barcelona, and Rome, which afford employment opportunities upon graduation.

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While researching about Universities in UK, I came across something known as Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. What is it, and how is it relevant to me?

I wish to attend a Master's programme at the University of Oxford, but I have a 5-year study gap. Is it acceptable?

UK universities, including Oxford, do not admit students with gap years. However, you can enter a Master's programmes, so long as you can show work experience during the study gap. Applicants to masters' programmes can have a maximum interval of 10-12 years from the year of graduation. You can also attend a bachelor's programme with a maximum of 2-3 years of work experience during the study break.

Do UK universities conduct interviews before admitting students?

Yes, most universities in UK conduct interviews based on which UK student visas are issued. The interview is essentially conducted to check your credibility and ensure that you are the right candidate for the university.