The Best Universities in The UK For International Students

The United Kingdom, UK, needs no introduction as a great and suitable destination for people looking to study abroad as its academics statistics speaks for itself. The UK ranks second as the country with the highest number of international students, with over 680,000 international students studying in the country. Hence, I am curating a list of the best universities in the UK for international students.

One of the things to consider when applying to study in a university abroad is the right university for your study and choosing the right university for your study also involves choosing the best country for your study. If you have decided to apply to study in a university in the United Kingdom, then this post is for you. In this article I have put together a list of the top 10 universities in the UK for international students, taken into account of the university rankings by reputable organizations.

The Best Universities in The UK For Foreign Students

The universities below have been chosen with consideration of the following university rankings; THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Rankings, Webometrics, ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) Ranking, CUG (Complete University Guide) Ranking, and The Guardian Ranking.

1. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, founded in 1096, is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. It is the oldest university in England and has over the years gained a solid reputation for itself. The University of Oxford is one of the best universities in the world and appears in top 10 of most university rankings. Hence, it is the first in our list of the best universities in the UK for international students.

How University of Oxford is Ranked

THE Ranking: 1
QS Ranking: 3
Webometrics Ranking: 5
ARWU Ranking: 7
CUG Ranking: 2
The Guardian Ranking: 2

2. University of Cambridge

Coming in second place in our list of the best universities in the UK for international students is the University of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge which was founded in 1209 is the world’s third-oldest university in continuous operation. The University offers a lot of courses for both undergraduate and post-graduate studies.

How University of Cambridge is Ranked

THE Ranking: 3
QS Ranking: 2
Webometrics Ranking: 14
ARWU Ranki: 4
CUG Ranking: 1
The Guardian Ranking: 3

3. Imperial College London

Ranking third in our list of the best schools in the United Kingdom for international students is the Imperial College London. The Imperial College London has a reputation for being great in science, engineering, medicine and business programs.

The Imperial College offers a wide range of undergraduate programs as well as postgraduate programs that cut across various disciplines like engineering, natural sciences, medicine, business and humanities. Research and Innovation are highly valued at the University with key contributions in Healthcare, Energy, Global warming and technology.

How Imperial College London is Ranked

THE Ranking: 10
QS Ranking: 6
Webometrics Ranking: 16
ARWU Ranki: 23
CUG Ranking: 6
The Guardian Ranking: 5

4. University College London (UCL)

The next on this list of the best schools in the UK for international students is the University College London (UCL). UCL is one of the UK’s universities with an international reputation for research and teaching across a wide range of subjects.

The UCL offers a wide range of programs which extend from undergraduate to postgraduate level studies covering arts & humanities, social sciences, engineering, sciences, law, medicine among others. Located in the heart of London, if you want to access to the vibrant cultural and intellectual life of the city, this is definitely the school for you.

How University College London is Ranked

THE Ranking: 22
QS Ranking: 9
Webometrics Ranking: 8
ARWU Ranki: 18
CUG Ranking: 9
The Guardian Ranking: 9

5. University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh becomes the first university appearing on this list that is not located in England. The university is famous for its rich history and high standards of research and teaching across various disciplines.

The University of Edinburgh offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences and a range of other fields.

How University of Edinburgh is Ranked

THE Ranking: 29
QS Ranking: 22
Webometrics Ranking: 56
ARWU Ranki: 35
CUG Ranking: 12
The Guardian Ranking: 12

6. King’s College London

King’s College London comes in sixth place on our ranking of the best universities in the United Kingdom for international students. King’s College London, founded in 1829, is a reputable university located in London. The school has a wide range of both undergraduate and postgraduate programs and has attracted students and researchers from different parts of the word.

The university is well known for its research contributions, particularly in areas such as medical research, neuroscience, and policy studies

How King’s College London is Ranked

THE Ranking: 35
QS Ranking: 40
Webometrics Ranking: 49
ARWU Ranki: 48
CUG Ranking: 24
The Guardian Ranking: 29

7. London School of Economics and Political Science

This is another school in London that is making it to our list of the best schools in UK for international students. The London School of Economics and Political Science is known for its strength in social sciences, including economics, politics, sociology, law, and anthropology.

The university was founded in 1895 and has over the years made a name for itself with several social sciences disciplines. The London School of Economics and Political Science is location in central London, making it a go to place for international students as it provides students with access to a vibrant cultural and political environment, enhancing their academic experience.

How London School of Economics and Political Science is Ranked

THE Ranking: 37
QS Ranking: 45
Webometrics Ranking: 572
CUG Ranking: 3
The Guardian Ranking: 4

8. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester was established in 2004 by the merging of Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

The university offers a wide range of both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in science, engineering, humanities, social science, and business. Since its creation, the university has become one of the best schools for foreigners seeking to study in the UK.

How University of Manchester is Ranked

THE Ranking: 45
QS Ranking: 32
Webometrics Ranking: 71
ARWU Ranki: 38
CUG Ranking: 19
The Guardian Ranking: 30

9. University of Bristol

Coming 9th in our list of the best universities in the UK for international students is The University of Bristol. This is a research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. The institution was founded in 1876 and has been one of the top universities both in the UK and globally. The schools offers a wide range of disciplines, stretching from science and engineering to the social sciences, humanities, and health sciences.

How University of Bristol is Ranked

THE Ranking: 76
QS Ranking: 55
ARWU Ranki: 81
CUG Ranking: 16
The Guardian Ranking: 16

10. University of Glasgow

This is the second university in our list that is not located in England. The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451 and located in Glasgow, Scotland, is one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom. It is known for its research-intensive environment and high academic standards. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including humanities, sciences, engineering, social sciences, and business.

How University of Glasgow is Ranked

THE Ranking: 82
QS Ranking: 76
Webometrics Ranking: 135
CUG Ranking: 26
The Guardian Ranking: 11