Universities in the United Kingdom

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 165 Universities in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is divided into 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England is further subdivided into regions. The vast majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in England, particularly in its most populated regions, London and South East England. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables take into account all UK countries and the regions of England that include at least one higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

East Midlands (7)  
East of England (11)  
London (41)  
North East England (5)  
North West England (15)  
Northern Ireland (2)  
Scotland (18)  
South East England (18)  
South West England (14)  
Wales (10)  
West Midlands (11)  
Yorkshire and the Humber (13)  

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The Higher Education System in the United Kingdom

The UK higher education is a devolved matter with each of the countries of the United Kingdom. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, therefore, all have their higher education systems, governing bodies and different policies. Universities in the United Kingdom have been established and authorized by Royal Charter, Act of Parliament, Privy Council or an instrument of government under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 or the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

Institutions that offer degree-level courses in the UK are called either "recognized" or "listed" bodies. Recognized bodies are autonomous higher learning institutions that can award degrees. Listed bodies do not have degree awarding powers and their degrees will be awarded by a recognised body they are affiliated with instead.

Types of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom there are mainly three different types of higher education institutions:

1. Universities: UK Universities are autonomous higher education institutions that are responsible for their management structure, resource allocation and budgets, staff and student enrolment policies, accreditation of qualifications, quality assurance and University curricula. uniRank currently includes 131 UK Universities.
2. University Colleges: UK University Colleges are smaller and less autonomous higher education institutions usually with a number of enrolled students lower than 1,000 and specializing in a limited number of fields of study. uniRank currently includes 27 University Colleges.
3. Colleges: uniRank currently includes 1 College.

Access to higher education in the United Kingdom

UK students access higher education after a total of at least 13 years of primary and secondary school studies, from the age of 5 to the age of 18, and after obtaining the General Certificate of Secondary Education (CGSE) or Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) in Scotland.

Languages of Instruction in the United Kingdom

University programs and courses are taught in the UK national language English.

Stages of higher education in the United Kingdom

1. First stage: the first stage of University-level higher education in the United Kingdom can last up from 2 to 3 years, depending on the area of study, for Bachelor's degrees.
2. Second stage: once obtained a Bachelor's degree, the second stage of University-level higher education generally ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on the area of study, and leads to the award of Master's degrees.
3. Third stage: the third stage includes doctoral degrees which usually last 3 years. Admission to doctoral programs is based on a Master's or equivalent degree.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about UK universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in the United Kingdom
  Explore the most traditional and long-established UK post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in the United Kingdom
  Search for UK higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• UK Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular UK town or city.
• Top Public Universities in the United Kingdom
  Discover UK public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in the United Kingdom
  Find out about UK private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in the United Kingdom
  Explore UK not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in the United Kingdom
  Look for UK for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top UK Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top UK Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in the United Kingdom that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top UK Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in the United Kingdom are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top UK Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in the United Kingdom with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.