Universities in UK

Discover world-renowned universities and diverse academic programs in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Leading Global Education Destination

170+ Prestigious Universities

The United Kingdom remains a top destination for international students due to its world-renowned universities, diverse academic programs, scholarship opportunities, and part-time work options. With over 170 universities, the UK is home to some of the most prestigious institutions globally, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and The University of Edinburgh.

Popular courses among international students include Business Administration (BBA), Master in Management (MIM), Engineering (BE/BTech), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Business Administration (MBA/PGDM). According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 55,000 Indian students were enrolled in UK universities in 2022.

Universities in UK: Highlights

A majority of the UK universities have a September and October admission intake. Other admission intake that the best universities in UK have is in January.

Parameter Statistics
No. of Universities in UK 170+
Tuition fees of universities in UK Min INR 10 L-INR 40 L or above
Popular courses in UK Law, Business Management, Computer Science, Sociology, Communications / Media
English language exams required IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo
Entrance exams required GMAT / GRE / SAT

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:

Diverse Courses

Wide range of programs across disciplines

Quality Education

World-class teaching and research

Cultural Experience

Rich cultural and historical environment

Work Opportunities

Part-time work during studies

Scholarships

Various funding opportunities

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.

Visa Fee

Pound 363 (Approx INR 37,000)

Required Documents
  • Completed student visa application form
  • Proof of parent's or guardian's consent
  • Original mark sheets / provisional certificates
  • Proof of funds

Top Universities in UK

University QS World University Rankings 2025 THE World University Ranking 2025
University of Cambridge #5 #5
University of Oxford #3 #1
Imperial College London #2 #9
UCL #9 #22
The University of Edinburgh #27 #29
The University of Manchester #34 #53
King's College London #40 #36
London School of Economics and Political Science #50 #50
University of Bristol #54 #78
The University of Warwick #69 #106

Best Engineering Universities in UK

According to QS Engineering & Technology, some of the top-ranked universities for Engineering & Technology in the UK are:

University QS Subject Ranking for Engineering & Technology 2024
University of Cambridge #4
University of Oxford #3
Imperial College London #7
The University of Manchester #27
UCL #35
The University of Edinburgh #51
University of Southampton #97
University of Leeds #93
University of Nottingham #100
University of Sheffield #106

Best Business & Management Universities in UK

University QS Subject Ranking Business & Management Studies 2025
London Business School #4
LSE #20
The University of Warwick #22
Imperial College London #15
The University of Manchester #25
Aston University #101-110

Best Law & Legal Studies Universities in UK

University QS Law & Legal Studies Ranking 2024
University of Oxford #2
University of Cambridge #3
LSE #7
UCL #14
King's College London #15
The University of Edinburgh #20
Queen Mary University of London #38
Durham University #48
The University of Manchester #57
University of Bristol #61

Top Cities to Study in UK

The top cities that are ranked in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 are London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow. London tops the list.

Particulars QS Best Student Cities 2025
London #1
Edinburgh #13
Manchester #27
Glasgow #33
Newcastle Upon Tyne #39
Coventry #43
Bristol #45

Top Courses in UK

A large number of best universities in UK offer courses like BTech, MSc, BSc, MA, MBA / PGDM, BA, BJMC, LLM, etc. Check the number of UK universities offering these courses:

Courses No. of Universities
MBA / PGDM 155
MSc 150+
BBA 145+
BTech 126
BSc 121+
LLB 80+
LLM 80+

Admission Requirements in UK

To study in 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 are some of the entrance exams that are accepted by universities in the UK. The number of UK universities accepting these tests is:

Tests No. of Universities
GMAT 18
GRE 11
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:

Tests No. of Universities
IELTS 175+
PTE 155+
TOEFL 43+
Duolingo 45+
Documents Required
  • Academic transcripts
  • Test scores of standardized exams like GMAT / GRE
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • 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

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 60
Max 20 Lakh 160+
Max 30 Lakh 170+
Max 40 Lakh 170+
40 Lakh+ 40+

Cost of Living in UK

The average cost of living in UK is around £14,000 - £22,000 per year (Around INR 14 lakh - INR 23 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 for a single student is around INR 87,000 without rent.

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
Rhodes Scholarship – MBA University of Oxford
Felix Scholarships - MBA University of Oxford
Kent Graduate Scholarship University of Kent
Gates Cambridge Scholarship - MBA University of Cambridge
WBS Scholarship The University of Warwick

Part-Time Work Opportunities in the UK

International students pursuing a degree or higher in the UK are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week. Some of the most lucrative sectors for part-time employment include marketing, accounting, healthcare, retail, and customer service.

Best Part-Time Job Options for International Students:
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Babysitter
  • Tutor
  • Event Coordinator
  • Library Assistant

UK Post-Study Work Permit

Upon completing their studies in the UK, international students can apply for a UK Post-Study Work Visa. This permit allows graduates to remain in the UK for up to two years while seeking employment. Those who have completed a PhD or another doctoral degree are eligible for a Graduate Visa with a validity of three years.

Key Job Sectors & Economic Outlook in the UK

Some of the prominent industries in the UK include accounting, banking and finance, business consulting and management, energy and utilities, healthcare, and law. According to the OECD, the UK's GDP growth was projected at 0.3% for 2023, with a gradual rise expected to 1.0% in 2024.

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.

Jobs Median Salary (in £) Per Year
Chief Executives and Senior Officials 100k - 130k
Legal Professionals 70k - 80k
Marketing and Sales Directors 70k - 80k
IT and Telecommunications Directors 50k - 80k
Investment Bankers 50k - 70k
Medical Practitioners 40k - 90k
Financial Managers and Directors 45k - 65k
Brokers 40k - 60k
Advertising and Public Relations Directors 30k - 60k
Senior Professionals of Educational Establishments 25k - 50k
Train and Tram Drivers 20k - 40k

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK

CUG Ranking 2025: #1

Courses Offered

Course 1st Year Tuition Fees Duration Eligibility
MBA/PGDM (2 courses) INR 61 L - 78 L 12 months-1 year GMAT: 680 & Above
GRE
IELTS: 7.5 & Above
M.Phil (143 courses) INR 29 L - 46 L 9-22 months IELTS: 7 - 7.5
B.E. / B.Tech (9 courses) INR 36 L - 41 L 3-4 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
LL.M. (3 courses) INR 32 L - 44 L 9 months-2 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
B.A. (18 courses) INR 23 L - 39 L 3-4 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
M.Sc. (8 courses) INR 26 L - 61 L 9 months-1 year IELTS: 7 - 7.5
GMAT
GRE
LL.B. (1 course) INR 26 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
BBA (2 courses) INR 23 L - 27 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
MBBS (1 course) INR 68 L 6 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
B.Sc. (4 courses) INR 30 L - 71 L 3-6 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
M.A. (2 courses) INR 27 L - 39 L 12 months-2 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
B.Arch (1 course) INR 36 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PG Diploma (6 courses) INR 28 L - 29 L 9 months-4 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PG Certificate (1 course) INR 27 L 9 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above

Rankings

CUG Ranking
#1
Guardian Ranking
#3
QS Ranking
#4
ARWU Ranking
#4
THE Ranking
#5
US News Ranking
#6

Admissions

International students can apply for Cambridge University admission via UCAS. The deadline for postgraduate programs varies by course. The undergraduate application deadline for the current cycle is closed.

Acceptance Rate

Cambridge has an acceptance rate of approximately 21%, making it one of the most competitive universities globally. The university offers over 30 undergraduate programs across more than 65 subject areas.

Admission Statistics (2022-2023)
Category Headcount
Applications Received 22,470
Admitted Students 4,238
Total Enrolled 3,544
Yield Rate 83.6%
Acceptance Rate 18.86%
International Student Distribution (Fall 2022)
Country Undergraduate Postgraduate
China 609 1,101
Singapore 264 87
France 123 222
Italy 94 302
India 86 303
USA 93 843
Germany 127 584
Academic Requirements
Test Scores
  • SAT Score: 1460 - 1500
  • ACT Score: 32 - 33
  • Minimum GPA: 3.7
English Proficiency
  • IELTS: 7.0 - 7.5
  • TOEFL: 100 - 110

Oxford University

Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK

THE World Ranking 2025: #1

Courses Offered

Course 1st Year Tuition Fees Duration Eligibility
MBA/PGDM (7 courses) INR 29 L - 88 L 9 months-1 year IELTS: 7.5 & Above
GRE
GMAT: 650 & Above
M.Sc. (61 courses) INR 18 L - 57 L 8 months-3 years IELTS: 7 - 7.5
GRE
GMAT
M.Phil (64 courses) INR 26 L - 45 L 9 months-2 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
M.A. (64 courses) INR 26 L - 45 L 9 months-2 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
GRE
B.A. (29 courses) INR 29 L - 55 L 21 months-5 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
B.Sc. (22 courses) INR 29 L - 63 L 3-4 years IELTS: 7 - 7.5
PTE: 76 & Above
LL.B. (2 courses) INR 30 L - 37 L 3-4 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
LL.M. (3 courses) INR 48 L - 49 L 10 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech (5 courses) INR 47 L - 63 L 3-4 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
Others PG (18 courses) INR 26 L - 44 L 9-12 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above
BBA (1 course) INR 43 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
MBBS (1 course) INR 42 L 6 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
BFA (1 course) INR 43 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE: 76 & Above
MFA (1 course) INR 44 L 9 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PG Diploma (4 courses) INR 11 L - 37 L 9 months-1 year IELTS: 7 - 7.5
GRE
PG Certificate (2 courses) INR 41 L - 42 L 12 months-1 year IELTS

Rankings

THE Ranking
#1
Guardian Ranking
#1
CUG Ranking
#2
QS Ranking
#3
US News Ranking
#4
ARWU Ranking
#6

Admissions

International students can apply for Oxford University admission 2026 online through the UCAS application to study UG programs. Key deadlines:

  • Oxford University MBA deadline for round 5 admission: March 3, 2025
  • Oxford application deadline 2026 for undergraduate admission: January 14, 2026
  • Oxford masters application deadline varies by program

Acceptance Rate

Oxford received over 23,000 undergraduate and 38,000 graduate applications for 2023/24, with an overall acceptance rate of around 16%.

Admission Statistics
Level Total Applicants Admitted Students Acceptance Rate
Undergraduate 23,000 3,300 ~16%
Graduate 37,593 6,057 ~16%
Most Competitive Programs
Program Number of Applicants
MBA 1,364
MSc Financial Economics 1,134
MSc Advanced Computer Science 855
International Student Requirements
Undergraduate (Indian Students)

CBSE/CISCE 12th-grade qualification with:

  • Minimum of 90% overall
  • Four subjects at 95%
  • One subject at 85%
Graduate (Indian Students)
  • 4-year professional bachelor's degree with minimum 65%
  • OR 3-year bachelor's degree with minimum 70%

Imperial College London

London, London, UK

QS World Ranking 2025: #2

Courses Offered

Course 1st Year Tuition Fees Duration Eligibility
MBA/PGDM (17 courses) 12 months-1 year IELTS: 6.5 - 7
Duolingo: 125 & Above
PTE: 69 & Above
M.Sc. (183 courses) 3 months-2 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
Duolingo: 69 - 125
PTE: 62 - 69
B.Sc. (38 courses) INR 35 L - 48 L 3-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
PTE: 62 - 69
Duolingo: 115 - 125
B.E. / B.Tech (27 courses) INR 35 L - 48 L 3-5 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
PTE: 62 - 69
Duolingo: 105 - 125
M.A. (1 course) INR 34 L 21 months IELTS: 7 & Above
MBBS (1 course) INR 61 L 6 years IELTS: 7 & Above
PTE: 62 & Above
Duolingo: 125 & Above
MPH (1 course) INR 50 L 1 year IELTS: 7 & Above
PTE: 69 & Above
Duolingo: 125 & Above
Others PG (1 course) INR 25 L 1 year IELTS: 7 & Above
Executive MBA/PGDM (1 course) INR 89 L 1 year IELTS

Rankings

QS Ranking
#2
CUG Ranking
#5
Guardian Ranking
#5
THE Ranking
#9
US News Ranking
#12
ARWU Ranking
#25

Admissions

International students can submit an online application through UCAS for Imperial College London admission 2025 in undergraduate courses. Applicants must submit an online application by the below deadlines:

  • Imperial College London deadline for undergraduate admission in 2025: June 30, 2025
  • Imperial College London application deadline for undergraduate admission in 2026: January 14, 2026

University College London (UCL)

London, London, UK

QS World Ranking 2025: #5

Courses Offered

Course 1st Year Tuition Fees Duration Eligibility
MBA/PGDM (44 courses) INR 24 L - 48 L 12 months-2 years IELTS: 6.5 - 8
PTE: 62 - 76
Duolingo: 115 - 125
M.Sc. (304 courses) INR 17 L - 65 L 12 months-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 8
PTE: 62 - 76
Duolingo: 115 - 125
M.A. (139 courses) INR 24 L - 40 L 12-25 months IELTS: 6.5 - 8
PTE: 69 - 80
Duolingo: 115 - 125
M.Arch (33 courses) INR 26 L - 40 L 12 months-2 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
PTE: 62 - 76
Duolingo: 115 - 125
B.E. / B.Tech (23 courses) INR 29 L - 43 L 3-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
PTE: 62 - 75
Duolingo: 115 & Above
B.A. (111 courses) INR 26 L - 40 L 3-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
PTE: 75 - 80
Duolingo: 115 - 135
B.Sc. (35 courses) INR 28 L - 53 L 3-6 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
PTE: 62 - 80
Duolingo: 125 & Above
B.Arch (8 courses) INR 28 L - 36 L 3-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
PTE: 62 - 75
Duolingo: 115 & Above
BBA (16 courses) INR 25 L - 40 L 3-4 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
PTE: 69 - 76
Duolingo: 125 & Above
LL.M. (1 course) INR 36 L 10 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above
PTE
LL.B. (1 course) INR 31 L 3 years IELTS: 7.5 & Above
MPA (8 courses) INR 26 L - 34 L 12 months IELTS: 7.5 - 8
Others PG (4 courses) INR 28 L - 34 L 12 months-2 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7
MFA (2 courses) INR 34 L - 36 L 21 months-2 years IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
PTE: 75 & Above
Duolingo: 115 & Above
MIM (2 courses) INR 34 L 12 months IELTS: 7.5 & Above
UG certificate (1 course) INR 29 L 1 year IELTS: 6 & Above
PTE: 59 & Above
BFA (1 course) INR 40 L 3 years IELTS: 6.5 & Above
PTE: 75 & Above
Duolingo: 115 & Above
MPHARM (1 course) INR 33 L 4 years IELTS: 7 & Above
PTE: 69 & Above
MS (1 course) INR 34 L 12 months IELTS: 7 & Above
MASc (1 course) INR 31 L 12 months IELTS: 7 & Above
Others UG (1 course) INR 31 L 3 years IELTS: 7 & Above
B.J.M.C. (1 course) INR 37 L 3 years IELTS: 7 & Above

Rankings

QS Ranking
#5
US News Ranking
#7
CUG Ranking
#9
Guardian Ranking
#9
ARWU Ranking
#16
THE Ranking
#22

Admissions

The University College London other undergraduate courses application deadline will be towards the End of Jan 2024. The minimum entry requirement is a cumulative GPA of 3.3 / 4.0 (or equivalent), but some subject areas require at least a 3.7 and may have additional requirements.

UCL has a rich history of collaboration with India. Currently, around 1,000 Indian students study in degree programs at the university. Students can choose from over 900 specialist bachelor's, master's, and a huge variety of Ph.D. and doctoral degrees. Admission to UCL is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Students can check the study guide to the UK before applying at UCL.