A degree in Engineering will give you access to a field which offers outstanding job opportunities and academic careers.
UK universities have an excellent global reputation for their Engineering programmes. The Times Higher Education world university rankings (2023) currently place the University of Oxford 5th globally for Engineering and Technology, with the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London also featuring in the Top 20.
There are four broad streams of engineering: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and chemical engineering.
Engineering degrees encompass a wide variety of subjects but are united by their focus on developing the skills needed to design, maintain and improve various types of structure and system.
Engineering is such an essential profession in daily life that practically every industry has a need for engineers. While choosing degrees, some who want to study engineering may decide on a specialisation from the outset, while others may go with a broader area of study such as general engineering. There are of course countless opportunities for specialised study at master’s degree level too.
Top universities for the study of Engineering
In this article, we'll look at some of the top ranked engineering universities in the United Kingdom, and any particular areas of specialism that they have.
There are several different annual university league tables, most of which include rankings by subject area, including the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, the Guardian Good University Guide and the Complete University Guide. The universities selected and detailed below all feature regularly within top rankings for Engineering within them.
Of course, when it comes to selecting which British universities’ Engineering schools to apply to, there are many factors aside from rankings to consider, including:
- entry requirements
- tuition fees
- location and cost of living
- graduate prospects for employment
Should you enrol on a pre-university programme at Kings our expert UCAS advisors will help establish the best university for your undergraduate degree, putting you on the best possible path for success.
Table of Contents
1. University of Cambridge
Famous worldwide for its academic excellence, the University of Cambridge is a great choice for any prospective engineer. Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 it ranks number one for specialisations such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and also General Engineering, number two for both Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and number three for Civil Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
In their 4-year courses, students are taught the fundamentals in engineering in the first and second years, and then study subjects that train them for their chosen discipline in the third and fourth years. They offer Engineering courses in nine areas of specialisation and their Master’s programme is accredited by various professional institutions.
Specialisations include:
- Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical and Information Sciences
- Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Information and Computer Engineering
- Instrumentation and Control
- Mechanical Engineering
Location: Cambridge
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Cambridge - Engineering
2. University of Oxford
The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford is one of the most highly regarded research-oriented university engineering departments globally. Within the 2023 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, the University of Oxford is ranked 1st for Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, 2nd for Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Civil Engineering, and 5th in the UK for General Engineering.
The Engineering science department focuses on teaching its students to understand and familiarise themselves with the latest technology to generate new scientific achievements. This is reached through an 'excellent staff of professors, modern research facilities, strong interdisciplinary work between science faculties and a strong cooperation with real-life Industry'. The University’s offerings include a wide range of programmes, including emerging study fields the sorts of biomedical engineering, energy, and environment.
Undergraduates on the Engineering Science course at Oxford spend their first two years studying core topics, and following on from that - for their final two years - choose to specialise in a more distinct branch of Engineering Science.
Specialisations include:
- Biomedical
- Chemical and Process
- Civil and Offshore
- Control
- Electrical and Opto-electronic
- Information
- Solid Materials and Mechanics
- Thermofluids and Turbomachinery
Location: Oxford
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Oxford - Engineering
3. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is the only UK university to focus exclusively on science, medicine, engineering and business. Imperial is consistently ranked amongst the UK's top 5 universities, and degrees from the university are highly valued by employers around the world.
The Faculty of Engineering of the Imperial College London has numerous engineering departments, each with a particular focus. Depending on students' own interests, they can pursue a course in one of these Faculty’s sections or departments: Aeronautics, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computing, Design Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Materials and Mechanical Engineering.
The Faculty defines itself as a leading research institution, hence it puts a greater emphasis on research activities targeting some of the most current global engineering challenges, like biomedical, future manufacturing and security systems.
Within the 2023 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, it is ranked 1st in the UK for Civil Engineering and Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, 2nd for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, and 3rd for Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. It was also 4th for General Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Aeronautical Engineering MEng
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering MEng
- Biomedical Engineering MEng
- Chemical Engineering MEng
- Civil Engineering MEng
- Design Engineering MEng
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng/MEng
- Electronic and Information Engineering BEng
- Materials Science and Engineering BEng/MEng
- Materials with Nuclear Engineering MEng
- Mechanical Engineering MEng
- Molecular Bioengineering MEng
Location: London
Engineering Department Landing Page: Imperial College London - Engineering
4. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is made up of three colleges: Humanities and Social Science, Science and Engineering, and Medicine and Veterinary Medicine .The city of Edinburgh is said to be one of the best cities in the world to live and study.
The School of Engineering at this university enjoys a global reputation for excellence and offers a range of study programs which combine theory and practice.
The Edinburgh Research Partnership in Engineering, a joint submission with Heriot-Watt University, was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK, based on the quality and breadth of its combined research by Times Higher Education. Furthermore 96% of its research activity was ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent.
Within the 2023 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, it is ranked in the UK’s top 10 universities for Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Chemical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Civil Engineering BEng/MEng
- Electrical and Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Electronics and Computer Science BEng/MEng
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Engineering (BEng/MEng)
- Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Structural and Fire Safety Engineering BEng/MEng
- Structural Engineering with Architecture BEng/MEng
Location: Edinburgh
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Edinburgh - Engineering
5. University of Glasgow
Another Russell Group university, the University of Glasgow is renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research. Whilst it is the fourth oldest university in the UK and boasts over 100 listed buildings within its campus, it offers a very modern learning environment within one of the world’s most vibrant, and affordable, student cities.
The University of Glasgow was the first institution in the UK to confer degrees in Engineering and established the first Chair of Engineering in the UK in 1840. Today, the James Watt School of Engineering's research and teaching is at the forefront of discovery, creation and practice that is internationally leading in education, innovation and new capability.
The School offers an exciting range of research-led, professionally accredited undergraduate and postgraduate taught degree programmes that include not only the core engineering disciplines (Aeronautics, Civil, Electronics & Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) but also unique specialist degree programmes, such as Biomedical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Electronics with Music, and Civil Engineering with Architecture.
Currently, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide ranks the University of Glasgow 5th in the UK for Civil Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics BEng/MEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Software Engineering BSc/MSci
- Biomedical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Civil Engineering BEng/MEng
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Product Design Engineering BEng/MEng
- Civil Engineering with Architcture BEng/MEng
- Aeronautical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Mechanical Design Engineering BEng/MEng
Location: Glasgow
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Glasgow - Engineering
6. University of Manchester
The September 2022 intake of students to Engineering courses at the University of Manchester were the first to benefit from the largest construction project undertaken by any UK university. Four engineering schools and two research institutes share the £400 million Manchester Engineering Campus Development, connecting facilities along Oxford Road as part of a £1 billion redevelopment to create a unified “world-class” campus.
Manchester was the first English university to offer an engineering degree. The University’s existing resources include laser laboratories and wind tunnels and it offers strong industry links with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Siemens.
The School of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester has the following Engineering Departments: Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Mechanical EngineeringBEng/ MEng
- Mechanical Engineering with Management BEng
- Civil Engineering BEng
- Civil and Structural Engineering MEng
- Aerospace Engineering BEng/ MEng
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng/ MEng
- Electronic Engineering BEng/ MEng
- Mechatronic Engineering BEng/ MEng
Location: Manchester
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Manchester - Engineering
7. University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is one of the founding members of the prestigious Russell Group, and with campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, is a truly global university. Its main UK campus is considered one of the largest and most attractive in the country.
Nottingham is in the top five of universities targeted by the largest number of the UK’s leading graduate employers, according to the most recent High Fliers survey. More than four in five students land high-skilled jobs or go into masters-level study within 15 months of leaving, which bodes well for engineering graduates.
Engineering departments at the university include: Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 rank the University of Nottingham in the UK top 10 for Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Aerospace Engineering BEng
- Architectural Environment Engineering BEng
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering BEng
- Environmental Engineering BEng
- Civil Engineering BEng
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng
- Electrical Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Computer Engineering BEng
- Electronic Engineering BEng
- Manufacturing Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
Location: Nottingham
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Nottingham - Engineering
8. University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol offers a world-class learning environment. The University campus is at the heart of Bristol, a beautiful and vibrant city in the south-west of England.
The University is at the cutting edge of global research. A member of the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities, Bristol is a top five UK institution for research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
The Faculty of Engineering consists of two schools; School of Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, and School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Maths.
Currently, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide ranks the University of Bristol 2nd in the UK for General Engineering, 3rd for Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, and 4th for Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Aerospace Engineering, BEng/MEng
- Civil Engineering,BEng/MEng
- Engineering Mathematics, BEng/MEng
- Mechanical Engineering,BEng/MEng
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng/MEng
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, BEng/MEng
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Innovation, MEng
- Robotics MSc
Location: Bristol
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Bristol - Engineering
9. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering Engineering and Physical Sciences has long been counted among one of the best engineering faculties in the UK. Within it, are the following schools; School of Chemical and Process Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, School of Computing, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and School of Mechanical Engineering.
The university’s research is extensive and covers all of the major engineering disciplines, including themes such as energy, materials, medical engineering and artificial intelligence, with theoretical, experimental and modelling work underpinning all areas.
The University has established a number of links with industry to provide its talented engineering students with extensive job opportunities.
Currently, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide ranks the University of Leeds in the UK top 10 for Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Courses offered include:
- Architectural Engineering BEng
- Automotive Engineering BEng
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Civil Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Medical Engineering MEng, BEng
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering BEng
- Chemical and Energy Engineering BEng
- Chemical and Materials Engineering BEng
- Chemical and Nuclear Engineering BEng
- Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng
- Civil and Structural Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Materials Science and Engineering BEng
Location: Leeds
Engineering Department Landing Page: University of Leeds - Engineering
10. University College London (UCL)
One of the UK's top ten universities, and a member of the renowned Russell Group of universities, University College London, or UCL as it's also known, occupies a main campus in upmarket Bloomsbury in central London, and there are plans to open a further campus on the site of the London 2012 Olympic Park in east London. The phased opening of the 50,000 sq m site, based at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, began in spring 2022.
The University offers programmes and courses across all of engineering, and beyond, including management and crime science. The majority undergraduate programmes are part of UCL‘s revered integrated engineering framework - a methodology in which innovative teaching methods are combined with an industry-oriented curriculum with discipline-specific, accredited degree programmes. Students are given the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary activities and develop their transferable professional skills in the context of real-world engineering projects.
Courses offered include:
- Biochemical Engineering BEng
- Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering) BSc
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Civil Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering iBSc
- Science & Engineering for Social Change BSc
Location: London
Engineering Department Landing Page: UCL - Engineering
Other great universities for Engineering
The ten UK universities featured above are all considered among the best in the UK for the study of Engineering, however it's worth noting that the following universities also enjoy a strong reputation in the field and also often feature in top rankings for the subject.
- University of Birmingham
- Lancaster University
- Loughborough University
- Newcastle University
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Surrey
- Swansea University
- University of Warwick
Next steps
We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the best engineering universities in the UK. You can find more detailed information about studying Engineering, and a career as an Engineer, in the Subjects/Career Guides section of the Kings website.
You can also find detailed profiles of the top UK universities.
If you would like receive more detailed information about the Kings and our programmes, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.
