2024 Guide to Top 12 UK Universities for International Students
The United Kingdom has long been a favoured destination for ambitious international students seeking a world-class education. Renowned for its top universities, the UK boasts an impressive array of diverse courses, an extensive alumni network, and expert faculty. But with so many options to choose from when it comes to study abroad, identifying the best university for your academic journey can be a daunting task.
Our comprehensive blog serves as your ultimate guide to the top 12 universities in the UK.
Table of Contents
2. University College London (UCL)
1.University of Manchester
The University of Manchester, a distinguished institution in the world of academia, is renowned in particular for its groundbreaking research in areas such as engineering, computer science, and social sciences.
Image source: University of Manchester
Manchester has made a significant impact on global knowledge and nurtured brilliant minds, including Nobel laureates like Ernest Rutherford. It has also educated a number today’s most famous names in popular culture and sport, from actor Benedict Cumberbatch to footballer Vincent Kompany.
Location
The university is located in the heart of Manchester, the UK’s third largest city and one which has left an indelible mark on British music and global football culture, as well as the realm of education. With over 100,000 students enrolled in universities across the city, Manchester is a lively student city with something for everyone.
Manchester is served by its own international airport.
Top courses
Manchester is ranked in the UK top three for the following subjects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: Drama, Dance and Cinematics, and Music, Land and Property Management, American Studies and Animal Science, Materials Technology. It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Accounting and Finance, Anthropology, Art and Design, Linguistics, Physics and Astronomy and Subjects Allied to Medicine.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for the University of Manchester for 2024-25 are:
- UK students: £9,250
- International: varies by degree course
Percentage of international students
32.4% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- A thriving and affordable student city: Manchester is more affordable than many in the UK and offers many options for student accommodation. It was judged to be the top UK city to live in for 2022 (the Economist’s Global Liveability Index).
- A large university: the third largest in the UK by enrolment, Manchester offers students plenty of services and facilities and a thriving campus life.
- An excellent reputation for quality: one of the renowned Russell Group of universities, it is famous for ground-breaking research and 25 Nobel laureates have studied or worked with the University. Other pioneering discoveries include the work of Tom Kilburn, Freddie Williams and Alan Turing on the modern computer – the first stored-program was run at Manchester.
2. University College London (UCL)
Since its establishment in 1826, UCL has pioneered inclusivity by admitting students regardless of their religion or background ─ a legacy that has shaped its sizeable global impact.
Image source: UCL
In 2024, UCL was named 'University of the Year 'by the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. The accolade acknowledged UCL’s world-leading performance in multidisciplinary research and education, the enhanced career prospects of UCL’s graduates, along with its ambitious work around sustainability.
Location
Situated in the heart of London, UCL offers an unrivaled location that captures the essence of a truly cosmopolitan world city, making it an ideal choice for international students.
Top courses
UCL is ranked in the UK top three for the following subjects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: American Studies, Building and Information Systems and Management, Biological Sciences and Linguistics.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Accounting and Finance, Anatomy and Physiology, Anthropology, Art and Design, Bioengineering, Business, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, General Engineering, History, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, and Subjects Allied to Medicine.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for UCL for 2024-25 are:
- UK: £9,250
- International: varies by degree course
Percentage of international students
52.6% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- A truly international student community: with over half of the student body coming from overseas, UCL is a very diverse and welcoming place to study.
- World-class research: part of the ‘golden triangle’ of research-intensive universities, along with Oxford and Cambridge, UCL is ranked 2nd in the UK for research power and known for its global influence and impact.
- Esteemed alumni: there have been 30 Nobel Prize laureates amongst UCL’s alumni and current and former staff to date, and it has attracted influential figures from all over the world, including Mahatma Gandhi. Currently, 90 UCL alumni have been named in Forbes 30 Under 30.
- Excellent graduate career prospects: those graduating with a bachelor’s degree from UCL attract a starting salary that is 20.7% higher (£32k) than the UK average and it is ranked among the top 20 universities worldwide for graduate employability (2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings)
3. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is widely considered one of the two top universities in the UK, and in fact, globally. It was ranked the best university in the world for a record eighth consecutive year by the THE World Rankings 2024. The rankings rate 1,904 universities from 108 countries around the world.
Image source: University of Oxford
Oxford's many prestigious alumni, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, and Albert Einstein, have left an enduring legacy that continues to shape the world we live in.
Location
Oxford, central England. The university is largely based in and around Oxford’s medieval city centre, and comprises 44 colleges and halls. It has over 100 libraries, making it the largest library system in the UK.
Top courses
The current Times Higher Education World subject rankings place Oxford 1st for many subjects, including Accounting and Finance, Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Business and Management, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry, Physics and Astronomy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology globally.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for the University of Oxford for 2024-25 are:
- UK: £9,250
- Overseas: Between £33,050 and £48,620 (clinical Medicine annual course fees are £57,690)
Percentage of international students
19.9% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Excellent international reputation: consistently ranked one of the world’s top universities, Oxford and its prestige are renowned the world over.
- Individual attention: the tutorial system employed at Oxford (and Cambridge) involves tutorials in very small groups and is - in part- what sets them apart from other universities.
- A vibrant student-centred city: Called the "city of dreaming spires" by Victorian poet, Matthew Arnold, nearly a quarter of Oxford’s residents are university students.
- One of the best alumni network’s globally: Oxford's alumni network includes 26 Nobel Prize winners, seven poets laureate, and over 30 modern world leaders (Aung San Suu Kyi, Indira Gandhi, Bill Clinton and 26 of the UK’s Prime Ministers among them). Other notable alumni include Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web, Stephen Hawking and writers Oscar Wilde and Graham Greene.
4. University of Cambridge
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research institution. The second-oldest university in the UK and the English-speaking world, it has long been a hotbed of brilliance with distinguished alumni including Sir Isaac Newton, Sylvia Plath, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.
Image source: University of Cambridge
From the discovery of the electron to the creation of the telescope, webcams and ARM processors, Cambridge is a renowned hub for innovation and invention. The newly developed Silicon Fen, or the Cambridge Cluster, has added further to this renown, with a 5,000-strong collection of firms that generates an annual turnover of more than £18bn.
The university is split into 31 autonomous colleges where students receive small group teaching sessions known as college supervisions.
Location
Cambridge. The campus is located in the centre of the city, with its numerous listed buildings and attractive architecture. The university has over 100 libraries, which, between them, hold more than 15 million books in total. The university also owns nine arts, scientific and cultural museums that are open to the public throughout the year, as well as a botanical garden.
Top courses
Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, Cambridge is 1st in the UK for almost half of the subjects that have rankings. These include Archaeology; Architecture; Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Computer Science; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; General Engineering; Law; Linguistics; Materials Technology; Mathematics; Natural Sciences; Physics and Astronomy; Sociology.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for the University of Cambridge for 2024-25 are:
- UK: £9,250
- International: varies by course (from £25,734 to £67,194 for Medical and Veterinary Science)
Percentage of international students
21.2% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- A hub for innovation and entrepreneurship: Since the founding of the Science Park in 1970, Cambridge has become a globally recognised centre for science, engineering and technology in particular. Today the city attracts the largest investment per capita in Europe (5 times that of London), and boasts the highest rate of patent applications in the UK.
- World-class research: Cambridge is top 3 for research quality (Complete University Guide 2024), and 121 affiliated students of the University have been awarded the Nobel Prize since 1904.
- Excellent graduate employment rates: Cambridge was placed top of the Global University Employability Ranking conducted by Times Higher Education. The university's graduates are highly sought after by employers worldwide, benefitting from a vast network of influential alumni in various industries.
5. University of Edinburgh
Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Britain and Ireland’s seven ancient universities. Consistently ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide it has made groundbreaking contributions to diverse fields, including medicine, literature, and the sciences, with notable alumni including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the pioneering Charles Darwin.
Image source: University of Edinburgh
The University’s three Colleges host 21 Schools and it is home to over 45,000 students spread across five campuses around the city. These campuses also house some of the world’s most important collections, including art, musical instruments, natural history, geology, anatomy, rare books and manuscripts.
Location
Edinburgh, one of the world's top 10 student cities (QS Student Cities 2023). The university is situated in the heart of Scotland's historical capital, home to the Scottish Parliament, and many historical sites of interest. It is served by its own international airport.
Top courses
Edinburgh is ranked in the UK top three for the following subjects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: Social Work, Anatomy and physiology, East and South Asian studies, Nursing, Town and country planning and landscape, Veterinary Medicine.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Archaeology and Forensic Science, Architecture, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Geography and Environmental Science, Law, Mathematics, Medicine and Theology and Religious Studies.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for University of Edinburgh for 2024-25 are:
- Scotland: £1,820
- Rest of UK: £9,250
- International: from £26,500 (varies by course)
Percentage of international students
33% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Excellent research: Edinburgh is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of its research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- A wide range of outstanding facilities: the university's facilities include 10 libraries, including the third largest academic library in Europe, and one of the UK’s 15 Wellcome Trust clinical research facilities; the unique FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility, the world’s most sophisticated ocean simulator.
- An impressive global community: Edinburgh is ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities (THE, World’s Most International Universities 2022). Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study there.
6. University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol has an international reputation for high-quality education and research. It combines academic excellence with an independent, forward-thinking spirit. The University is consistently ranked in the UK's top ten and 55th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Image source: University of Bristol
Location
The university sits in the heart of Bristol, a vibrant and creative city, which is consistently recognised as one of the UK's best places to live. With a strong commitment to environmental preservation as a former European Green Capital, Bristol offers an exceptional living experience.
It also benefits from a well-connected public transport network, with frequent trains to major hubs such as London and Birmingham, and its own international airport.
Top courses
Bristol is ranked in the UK top 10 for the following subjects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, General Engineering, Animal Science, German, Civil Engineering, Dentistry, Mechanical Engineering and Education (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for University of Bristol for 2024-25 are:
- UK: £9,250
- International: varies by degree course
Percentage of international students
19.7% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Excellent research: a member of the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities, Bristol is ranked as a top five UK institution for research in THE analysis of REF 2021, which found 94% of its research to be ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
- Favourable graduate outcomes: Bristol ranks joint seventh in the UK for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).
- An integrated city campus: the University's campus is integrated into the city of Bristol, a historic, green and very vibrant city in South West England.
Kings partnership with the University of Bristol offers a unique and guaranteed pathway to this world-class university. Find out more.
7. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a science-based university and member of the prestigious Russell Group that is consistently ranked in the UK Top 10. The university focuses on the four main disciplines of science, engineering, medicine and business, and is well-known for its application of these skills to industry and enterprise.
Image source: Imperial College London
With its inception dating back to 1907, Imperial College has consistently pushed the boundaries of knowledge, yielding groundbreaking discoveries and momentous advancements. The list of distinguished alumni reads like a who's who of intellectual trailblazers, and includes Alexander Fleming, the Nobel Laureate who revolutionised medicine with the discovery of Penicillin.
Location
London. Imperial College's main campus is located in South Kensington in central London.
Top courses
The following subjects are ranked in the UK top three by the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide: Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geology and Materials Technology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Maths and Mechanical Engineering.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Medicine, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and General Engineering.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for Imperial College London are:
- UK: £9,250
- Overseas: varies by course (from £36,200)
Percentage of international students
47.2% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Highly regarded science and medicine programmes: Imperial is traditionally known for world-class science, engineering and medicine programmes, although recently, the Imperial College Business School and Humanities department have also gained high regard.
- Groundbreaking research: cutting-edge research is consistently performed at the university, with 14 Nobel Prizes and 81 Fellowships from the Medical Sciences being awarded in the past.
- Excellent location: situated right in the heart of London, one of the world’s great capital cities and the world's best city for students (QS), Imperial's central location gives student access to a host of cultural offerings as well as a career head start.
8. University of Birmingham
Founded in 1900, the University of Birmingham is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and the original civic or ‘redbrick’ university, with students accepted regardless of their background or religion. It offers a wide range of degree courses, and exceptional campus and research facilities.
Image source: University of Birmingham
The 10 Nobel Laureates counted among its staff and alumni have contributed to some of science’s greatest discoveries, from the invention of the microwave, to recent breakthroughs in Higgs Boson and Gravitational Waves.
Location<
Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK. The University occupies a green and spacious campus in the Edgbaston area of the city, which itself is now known as one of the greenest in the UK, despite its industrial roots.
Birmingham has excellent transport links to other UK cities, and has its own international airport too.
Top courses
The following subjects are ranked in the UK top ten by the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide: Creative Writing, Liberal arts, Chemical Engineering, History of Art, Architecture and Design, and Physics and Astronomy.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for the University of Birmingham are:
- UK: £9,250
- Overseas: varies by course
Percentage of international students
18.6% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- A large campus with excellent facilities: the campus is close to the city centre, and houses the world’s tallest free-standing clock, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which exhibits original work by Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet.
- A large and renowned medical school: the campus is also the location of one of the largest medical schools in Europe and the place where, among other things, pacemakers and plastic heart valves were developed.
- A diverse student body: with 31% of its academic staff also from overseas, Birmingham is the most diverse campuses in the UK and encourages a global outlook.
9. University of St Andrews
Located in an attractive small town on the east coast of Scotland, the University of St. Andrews boasts a rich history dating back to 1413. This longstanding legacy has propelled the university to the forefront of global academia, earning its position as the top-ranked UK university according to the Times and Sunday Times 2024 Good University Guide.
Image source: St Andrews University
Testament to its academic prowess and cultural significance are its range of notable alumni, including Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Wales, and Edward Jenner - Physician and pioneer of the smallpox vaccine.
Location
St Andrews, Fife - 1 and a half hours from Edinburgh. St Andrews is small – just 17,000 permanent residents live there, meaning university staff along with 7,500 students makes up about half its population. The town and surroundings are known for their beauty, in particular the nearby beaches.
St Andrews is not a campus university – instead, its faculty buildings and student accommodation are spread out in four main areas of town, all of which are within walking distance.
Top courses
Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, St Andrews is ranked in the UK top three for the following subjects: Anthropology, Business, Management and Marketing, Chemistry, English, French, Geology, German, History, History of Art, Architecture and Design, Iberian languages, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Politics, and Psychology.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Biological Sciences, Classics and Ancient History, Computer Science, Economics, Geography and environmental science, Mathematics and Theology and Religious Studies.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for University of St Andrews for 2024-25 are:
- Scotland: £1,820.
- Rest of UK: £9,250.
- International: varies by course (from £30,160)
Percentage of international students
40.4% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Student satisfaction: St Andrews has outstanding rates of student satisfaction, which are testament to the quality of tuition, support and graduate opportunity that completing a degree there brings. According to the Complete University Guide 2023, students at the University of St Andrews are the most satisfied in the UK.
- Flexible degree structure: University of St Andrews courses are ranked as some of the best in the UK and the flexible degree structure (modular degree system) allows students to try multiple subjects before they decide what their final degree will be.
- Small group teaching: St Andrews has one of the lowest student-to-staff ratios of all UK universities (11.9 to one), meaning students have plenty of personalised input.
10. Durham University
Durham University, a renowned institution and one of the top universities in the UK, has an unwavering dedication to academic excellence. Established in 1832, it proudly stands as one of the oldest universities in the UK, nestled in the picturesque city of Durham. Its impressive roster of alumni includes acclaimed writers like Bill Bryson and revered poets like Carol Ann Duffy.
Image source: Durham University
Location
Durham. North East England. Durham is a World Heritage city, and the University’s Castle and Cathedral have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is close to the city of Newcastle, which has excellent rail links and its own international airport.
Top courses
Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Durham is ranked in the UK top three for the following subjects: Archaeology, Classics, Criminology, Natural Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Russian and Sociology.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Anthropology, Chemistry, Classics and Ancient History, Computer Science, Economics, Education, English, General Engineering, Geography and Environmental Science, Geology, History, Law, Music, Sports Science, Theology and Religious Studies.
Tuition and fees
Annual tuition and fees for Durham University are:
- UK: £9,250
- Overseas: varies by course
Percentage of international students
22.8% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- An excellent global reputation: Durham is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of British research universities and is amongst the top 100 universities in the world, currently ranked 78th in the QS World Rankings 2024. In terms of teaching quality, 19 of its 25 academic departments rank in the global top 100.
- A collegiate system: Through Durham's collegiate system (it consists of 17 colleges), every student is a proud member of a college, and every college has its own character and traditions.
- World-leading environmental research: Durham University aims to lead society in becoming more environmentally sustainable, through its world-leading research.
11. University of Leeds
Established in 1904, the University of Leeds has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research and is part of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Leeds is one of the largest universities in the country, with almost 40,000 students currently enrolled from over 170 countries.
Image source: University of Leeds
Location
Its single campus location is spread out over 98 acres just one mile from the busy city centre of Leeds. Leeds is a lively and student-centred city, which is recognised in particular for its affordability compared to many other UK cities. It has excellent rail links to cities including London, Edinburgh and Manchester, and there is an international airport just outside the city.
Top courses
Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Leeds is ranked in the UK top ten for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Radiography, Civil Engineering, Accounting and Finance, Art and Design, Chemical Engineering, Creative Writing, Food Science, and Pharmacology and Pharmacy.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for the University of Leeds for 2024-25 are:
- UK: £9,250
- International: varies by course
Percentage of international students
19.3% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- Excellent facilities: a recent £520m has been invested into transforming its campus, which includes state-of-the-art sport and well-being facilities, a 25m eight lane swimming pool and the largest fitness suite of any UK university.
- A wide range of courses: the University of Leeds offers one of the widest selections of courses available across all UK universities, with hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate degree options.
- Excellent career prospects: degrees from the University of Leeds are respected by employers and universities all over the world, and alumni can be found in positions of influence across the globe.
12. Loughborough University
Loughborough University has a campus spread over a vast 523-acre green site among beautiful gardens and open spaces.
The University is recognised as a high ranking university with excellence in a range of subject areas, although is particularly well known for the study of sport-related subjects, and by proxy its outstanding on-campus sports facilities. It was ranked the best university in the world for sports-related subjects from 2017-by QS World University Rankings.
All undergraduate courses offer the option to include a year in industry as part of the degree, giving students the chance to maximise employability skills.
Image source: Loughborough University
Location
Loughborough. A small market town with the university at its heart, Loughborough is student-focused and friendly, and affordable in comparison to many of the other top ranked UK university locations, It is very close to the much larger cities of Nottingham and Leicester, both of which can provide any big city amenities that can’t be found in Loughborough itself.
Top courses
Within the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Loughborough is ranked in the UK top three for Architecture, Communication and Media studies, Art and Design, Building and Sports Science.
It has further top ten rankings for subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Business, Management and Marketing, Criminology, General Engineering, Geography and Environmental Science, Materials Technology, Natural Sciences, and Sociology.
Tuition and fees
Tuition fees for Loughborough University for 2024 are:
- UK: £9,250
- International: £23,000
Percentage of international students
12.4% (Complete University Guide)
Best features
- A consistently highly rated education: Loughborough has been consistently ranked in the UK top ten for the last 6 years.
- An award-winning careers service: Loughborough was ranked 1st in the UK for employer-student connections (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
- Excellent teaching: Loughborough was awarded 5* for teaching in the International QS Stars Scheme 2020.
Other top UK universities for international students
The twelve universities featured above are just a selection of the many outstanding UK universities that are popular among international students. Others include the following:
- University of Glasgow
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics
- University of Warwick
- University of Southampton
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
- University of Bath
Start Preparing for a UK University
If you are interested in attending a UK university, you may wish to consider completing your pre-university education at a UK school, such as Kings.
At Kings, we offer both A-level courses and a range of specialist degree pathway programmes for international students at our four colleges in the UK — Kings Brighton, Kings Bournemouth, Kings London, and Kings Oxford.
By selecting to study at our UK schools, you will maximise your potential, and be sure of a place at the best possible UK university.
With specialist support, you will be guided through the UCAS application process, given help to attend university open days and fairs, help to establish IELTS and other entry requirements, and assistance in establishing any scholarship opportunities.
Next steps
We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the best universities for international students in the UK.
If you would like receive more detailed information about the Kings and our programmes, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.
