Studying in the UK is a dream for many aspiring students as it houses world-renowned institutions which offer globally accredited degrees and favourable post-study work options. However, it is necessarily important to decode the best universities in the UK and this post offers you information about the best universities and things which are on offer for international students in the UK.
University of Oxford: One of the most well-known universities in the UK and across the world is the University of Oxford and it is seen that both the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 grade the institution as number one in the UK. The Complete University Guide University League Tables 2021 awards a runner-up spot to the institution.
The University is housed by the historic city of Oxford which is well known for its architecture and international student community. 45 per cent of the students are from overseas and the competition for places at the university is also extremely high. For 3,300 places, 23,000 students applied in 2019.
The university houses more postgraduate students than undergraduates with just above 12000 students studying for an advanced degree. Oxford Brookes University is another university which offers international students the opportunity to study in the UK.
University of Cambridge: The University of Cambridge is a home for many world-renowned researchers and was founded in the 13th century, being one of the oldest universities in the world and a home for around 24,000 students and 298,000 strong alumni community.
The top position is frequently battled by the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. The institution is ranked by the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 among the top ten universities worldwide.
University of St Andrews: The University of St Andrews was founded in 1410, gaining the title of Scotland’s first university and one of the oldest in the world. The University is home to over 10,000 students with 7,985 undergraduates and 2,133 postgraduates pursuing degrees.
The University holds the reputation for attracting more international students with students coming from more than 130 countries. The University of St Andrews is ranked in third place by the Complete University Guide University League Tables 2021. It is also ranked in the top 100 positions in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the top 250 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
Loughborough University: This University enjoys a five-star QS rating and a position in the top 250 universities globally ranked by the QS World University Rankings 2021. The Teaching Excellence Framework has also awarded gold to Loughborough University. The University was a winner of the University of the Year 2020 in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards which is voted for by the students and the university has over a century’s worth of experience.
The Complete University Guide University League Tables 2021 has ranked the university at number six which is a two-place rise from the university’s 2020 ranking. The University is also placed in the top 400 positions by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
University of Bath: The university holds the distinction of being one of the most targeted by employers in recent years for its favourable graduate outcomes. 30 per cent of the student community comes from overseas and the institution has an 18,000-strong student community representing 130 countries. The Research Excellence Framework shows that 87 per cent of the research produced by the institution was rated as world-class and above.
The University is ranked number nine by the Complete University Guide University League Tables 2021. The University is ranked as a top 250 global institution by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 and the QS World University Rankings 2021 has placed the University at number 173 out of 200.
Lancaster University: The University is known for its high-quality research and excellent teaching and it was named the International University of the year in 2020 by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Many key partnerships are shared by the university with various universities across the world which enhances research and opportunities for the students.
Around 83 per cent of the research that is conducted at the university is considered internationally excellent or world-leading. The QS World University Rankings 2021 has placed the university in the world’s top 150.
There are other universities which have been ranked in the top position in the UK. The QS World University Rankings 2021 has ranked the University of Edinburgh and the University of Warwick in the 5th and 10th positions respectively. The Complete University Guide University League Tables 2021 has ranked the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow in the 14th and 19th positions respectively.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 has ranked the University of Leeds in the 20th position. With this knowledge, you will have a better understanding of what’s on offer and what to expect from a university in the UK.