Explore: Top Universities & Colleges in United Kingdom
Overview
For centuries, the United Kingdom has been a leader in academics. The country is home to some of the most renowned and well-ranked universities. The excellent academic standards, highly qualified academic staff, and research output are widely recognised and are certain to change students' careers for the better. To maintain excellent educational standards, the UK's educational system is regularly audited by the Quality Assurance Agency. UK colleges blend traditional lectures with a range of cutting-edge teaching methodologies. More than one-third of undergraduate students graduate with a first-class degree thanks to the country's strong traditions of critical thinking and academic rigour. Let’s take a closer look at some of the high-ranking UK universities that have gained a worldwide reputation and have set the benchmark for the rest of the institutions.
Global Ranking of UK Universities
University rankings and league tables in the United Kingdom are extremely competitive. In the UK, there are over 150 higher education institutions to select from, and university rankings are a key deciding aspect. Prestigious ranking platforms such as the QS Rankings and THE have ranked universities in the UK for international students. The table below gives a glimpse into the latest 2023 global rankings in the UK universities list-
University Name |
QS Ranking 2023 |
THE Ranking 2023 |
University of Cambridge |
2 |
3 |
University of Oxford |
4 |
1 |
Imperial College London |
6 |
10 |
University College London |
8 |
22 |
University of Edinburgh |
15 |
29 |
University of Manchester |
28 |
54 |
King’s College London |
37 |
35 |
London School of Economics & Political Science |
56 |
37 |
University of Bristol |
61 |
76 |
University of Warwick |
64 |
104 |
Admission Requirements of UK Universities
UK colleges and universities determine their respective admission criteria for higher education programmes, which vary greatly based on the subject, the individual course, and the course provider. Some of the major criteria that students must consider while applying to UK universities are given below -
Entry Requirements
- Official Academic Transcripts from previously attended institutions
- Letter (s) of Recommendation
- At least one Statement of Purpose
- English Language Proficiency Scores - IELTS, TOEFL, PTE
- Proof of sufficient funds - Bank balance
- SAT/ACT scores ranging from 400 to 1,600 for certain courses
- An Updated CV/Resume
- A Portfolio - if applicable
- GRE/GMAT - if applicable
Available Scholarships for UK Colleges
Higher education in the UK may be costly, which is why the UK government and UK universities provide a variety of scholarships for overseas students. These financial aid schemes are available to all qualified students who want to pursue a study programme in any field of interest. While some scholarships only hold valid for applying to the top universities in the UK for a master’s, there are many more which assist undergraduate and PhD applicants. The following are some of the best UK scholarships for international students -
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship
- GREAT Scholarship
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
- Gates Millenium Scholarship
- Erasmus Scholarship
Jobs & Salaries after studying in UK Universities
The UK, home to several worldwide commercial centres and the world's sixth-largest economy, is an excellent place for ambitious graduates to begin their careers. Because the country has an employment rate of more than 75%, many overseas students intend to return to the UK after completing their education. According to HESA figures, nearly 538,000 ambitious overseas students were enrolled in the UK education system in 2019-20. Some of the best universities in the UK for a master’s, have connections with the industry and arrange career fairs & workshops for students. Top recruiters offering employment opportunities to international graduates from UK universities include -
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- Apple
- SAP
- KPMG
- Accenture
- Deloitte
- Bella Italia
- GTB
Graduates from UK universities have the opportunity to land high-paying jobs with the skills acquired. The table below lists the in-demand courses in the UK along with the job possibilities & their respective average salaries -
Degree |
Job Positions |
Average Salary |
Engineering |
Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Engineering Project Manager, Product Development Engineer |
£59,900 |
Healthcare |
Physician, Clinical Psychologist, Neurologist, Pediatrician, Nurses |
£167,000 |
Human Resources |
HR Manager, HR Officer, Personnel Manager, Recruitment Manager |
£67,100 |
Accountancy & Finance |
Account Manager, CA, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker |
£73,100 |
Marketing & Sales |
Marketing Director, Sales Director, Sales Manager |
£79,600 |