Historically, education in the UK holds a special status among students who wish to study abroad. The history of the universities, and the eminent personalities they housed throughout the decades, make them a place of aspiration. In addition to the regular undergraduate and postgraduate courses, most UK universities offer specialisation and PhD programs. Furthermore, the universities here enable international students to choose specialisations from different disciplines and combine their courses the way they want. The universities in the UK hold a global reputation for their high academic standards. Their research centres and other facilities provide a grand opportunity for students from across the globe to explore new possibilities. So, let’s take a look at the top universities in the UK that should be on your list if you are planning to travel there to study.
For every aspirant, it is like a dream come true when they get an opportunity to study in the UK The UK encompasses educational institutions that consistently rank among the best universities in the world. However, in a country with a total of 160 universities, it can be confusing and challenging to choose the best one. Thus, we have jotted down some of the most popular universities in the UK for 2023.
University of Oxford The University of Oxford ranks second in the QS World Rankings 2023 and The Guardians Ranking 2023. It is one of the oldest universities in England and has an extensive list of celebrated alumni. From famous politicians to Nobel Prize winners, actors, filmmakers, and physicists, this university taught some of the most eminent personalities in the world. Furthermore, the Oxford University Press (OUP) is the largest university press, with offices in around 50 countries, and they publish work in more than 60 languages. This university has four academic divisions – the mathematical division, the humanities division, the medical sciences division, and the physical & life sciences division.
Facts: Around 45% of Oxford’s attendees comprises international students. Over 91% of Oxford graduates get a job within six months of passing out.
University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge in England was established in 1209, and it is the 3rd oldest university in the world and ranks as the 4th largest university that is still in operation. It is the alma mater of eminent personalities like Emma Thompson, Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking. A big part of the Cambridge Alumni and affiliates comprises a total of 47 State Heads, 210 Olympic medallists, and 121 Nobel Prize recipients. Here, you will find courses from various streams of science and humanities among others. Moreover, there are courses for all levels, including undergraduates, post-graduates and beyond.
Facts: More than 93% of Cambridge University graduates obtain employment within 15 months of passing out.
Imperial College London The Imperial College was established in 1907 through the amalgamation of the City & Guilds College, the Royal School of Mines, and the Royal College of Science. It has a global reputation for offering the best science, medicine, engineering, and business courses. If your aim is to get into one of the best MBA colleges in the UK, consider applying to Imperial College.
Facts: This University comprises over 17000 students and around 8000 staff members. It received the Silver Athena Swan Award for advancing women’s careers in technology, medicine, maths, science, and engineering.
University of St. Andrews It is one of the oldest universities in Scotland, with 600+ years of history. The University of St. Andrews has several academic schools, including subjects like film studies, literature, history, music, and computer science. In the last academic year, 2021-22, this university represented students from around 130 countries, comprising 8,260 undergraduates and 2,164 post-graduates.
Facts: It is classified as the Scottish University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2023.
London School of Economics and Political Science It was set up in 1895 but joined the University of London in 1900. The London School of Economics and Political Science stands out for its excellent academic profile. The university welcomes a significant number of interested students each year, about 70% of the total intake capacity. Hence, it encompasses the highest proportion of international students compared to other UK universities. This university specialises in economics, anthropology, law, sociology, and politics. Moreover, it has 19 research centres and 29 academic departments.
Facts: As per The Guardian 2022, this university received the 4th rank. LSE’s library is one of the largest ones in the whole of Europe.
Durham University Durham University was founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and was incorporated by the Royal Charter in 1837. Currently, it incorporates 17 affiliated colleges and 26 schools/ departments. Durham University is known for its business and management-related courses. So, if you are looking for colleges to pursue an MBA in the UK, this is one of the best universities to consider. Apart from this, Durham University offers 330+ post-graduate and undergraduate programs to domestic and international students, and each year they welcome students from over 120 nations.
Facts In 2022, Durham University got the 54th spot globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023 for employer reputation.
University of Bath The University of Bath received its Royal Charter in 1966 and is located in Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom. It is one of the leading universities with a reputation for offering excellent research facilities. As per data from 2021/22, 19,926 students enrolled here; among them, 32% were international students representing 147 different countries. This university also stands out for its graduate employment and student satisfaction. Very recently, in 2022, the University of Bath set up a new School of Management building, a behavioural lab, and a 250-seat auditorium.
Facts According to the National Student Survey 2022, this university witnessed a student satisfaction rank of 86%. It won the University of the Year acknowledgement in “The Times, 2023, and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2023.”
University of Warwick This university was founded in 1965 and is part of the British Government’s initiative to improve higher education. It is famous for offering some of the best courses in Economics for international students.
Facts Warwick graduates fall under the top 10 highest-earning sectors. International students can choose among numerous options for undergraduate programs and over 11 subjects in post-graduation programs.
Parting thoughts These are some of the best universities to **study in the UK **that you can look into while preparing for your studies abroad. However, reaching there is not an easy job, and you need proper guidance. This is where specialists like Azent come into play. The experts here will guide you through the process of choosing the university and the course, student visas for the UK, interview preparation, completing documentation and SOPs, etc. Azent will offer comprehensive guidance to ensure you get the opportunity you seek.
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