The best universities in the UK for international students

There technically isn’t one overarching United Kingdom education system. Rather, each nation (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) has its own system.  

For simplicity, we’ll just cover the English higher education system, and this is what we’re referring to when we use “British education system” or “the education system of Great Britain” here.

The system of education in Great Britain

There are four types of schools in England that can provide higher education. These are: 

• Universities

• University colleges

• Higher Education (HE) colleges

• Private colleges.

Students can usually enter undergraduate courses from age 18. These courses range from certificates of higher education and diplomas to bachelor’s degrees and foundation degrees. These awards are ranked in levels. For example, a diploma of higher education is level 5, whereas a degree in dentistry, medicine, or veterinary science is level 7.  

Postgraduate study is available to any student who has completed a degree. These come in a variety of forms including graduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates, and master's degrees. 

Many English schools also offer integrated masters degrees, which automatically bridge the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Once you have both an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification, you may be able to study a PhD or professional doctorate (the highest level of university education in England).  

Other countries in the UK have a similar higher education system to this, but you might notice some slight differences if you study in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.  

The best universities in the UK for international students 

With so many prestigious colleges in the UK, it’s difficult to identify the “best”. But these five universities are consistently ranked among the top schools around the world: 

• University of Oxford

   The English-speaking world’s oldest university is perhaps the UK’s most well-known and reputable institution. Over 20,000 students attend Oxford, with around 40% of them being international students.

   

• University of Cambridge

   This storied school caters to over 18,000 students with six academic schools. It has over 100 libraries, more than 80 sports offerings, and a plethora of extracurricular activities and societies. 

   

• University College London

  UCL has a reputation worldwide for high-quality teaching and research. Its location in central London is convenient and ideal for international students who wish to embrace English culture between lessons. The University of London’s international programmes are among the best available in the UK, and this college is commonly regarded as one of the best universities in London.

   

• University of Edinburgh

  From industry pioneers to Nobel Prize winners, the University of Edinburgh attracts top talent from around the globe. About 30% of the cohort here is comprised of international students. 

   

• University of Manchester

  This university offers over 1,000 degrees ranging from foundation courses to PhDs. It’s at the forefront of research in several industries including science, engineering, and medicine. 

   

The best unis in the UK by academic field

Some universities in the UK have particularly strong offerings in specific fields. Here’s a brief overview of some schools that stand out in certain areas, based primarily on league tables from the Complete University Guide.  

Keep in mind that these lists are far from exhaustive. Speaking with an international education agent may help you find the most appropriate institute for your studies. 

Some of the best universities for law in the UK 

• University of Law

• University of Cambridge

• University College London

• Glasgow University

• Durham University

Some of the best universities for medicine in the UK 

• University of Oxford

• Swansea University

• University of Edinburgh

• Glasgow University

• University of Dundee

Some of the best engineering universities in the UK 

• University of Oxford

• University of Cambridge

• Imperial College London

• University of Manchester

• University of Warwick

Some of the best universities for economics in the UK 

• London School of Economics

• The University of Warwick

• University of St Andrews

• University of Oxford

• University of Cambridge

Some of the best universities for psychology in the UK 

• University of Bath

• University of St Andrews

• University College London

• University of Oxford

• University of Cambridge 

Some of the best business universities in the UK 

• University of St Andrews

• King’s College London

• University of Exeter

• Loughborough University

• University of St Andrews

As the two top-ranked UK universities in general, it’s unsurprising to see Oxford and Cambridge represented in most of these lists. But, as you can see, there’s a wide range of prestigious universities in the UK to consider – no matter what field you’re looking to study.