Explore the best universities in United Kingdom for international students — rankings, tuition fees, intakes, scholarships and entry requirements. Get free admission and visa guidance from GIEC Global.
York, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 169th in the world
University of York in York, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 169th in the world. Tuition: £19,000 – £26,000 per year.
Cardiff, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 181st in the world
Cardiff University in Cardiff, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 181st in the world. Tuition: £18,000 – £25,000 per year.
Reading, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 194th in the world
University of Reading in Reading, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 194th in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £24,000 per year.
Belfast, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 199th in the world
Queen's University Belfast in Belfast, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 199th in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £24,000 per year.
Loughborough, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 225th in the world
Loughborough University in Loughborough, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 225th in the world. Tuition: £18,000 – £25,000 per year.
Glasgow, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 251st in the world
University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 251st in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £24,000 per year.
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world
University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £23,000 per year.
Guildford, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world
University of Surrey in Guildford, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £24,000 per year.
Brighton, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 278th in the world
University of Sussex in Brighton, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 278th in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £23,000 per year.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 287th in the world
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 287th in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £23,000 per year.
Swansea, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 292nd in the world
Swansea University in Swansea, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 292nd in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
London, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 310th in the world
City St George's, University of London in London, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 310th in the world. Tuition: £17,000 – £24,000 per year.
Leicester, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 326th in the world
University of Leicester in Leicester, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 326th in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
Oxford, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 374th in the world
Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 374th in the world. Tuition: £15,000 – £20,000 per year.
Norwich, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 381st in the world
University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 381st in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
London, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 385th in the world
Brunel University of London in London, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 385th in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
London, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 388th in the world
Birkbeck, University of London in London, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 388th in the world. Tuition: £14,000 – £19,000 per year.
Birmingham, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 395th in the world
Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 395th in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
Canterbury, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 397th in the world
University of Kent in Canterbury, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 397th in the world. Tuition: £15,000 – £21,000 per year.
Dundee, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 428th in the world
University of Dundee in Dundee, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 428th in the world. Tuition: £15,000 – £21,000 per year.
Colchester, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 456th in the world
University of Essex in Colchester, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 456th in the world. Tuition: £15,000 – £20,000 per year.
London, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 461st in the world
Royal Holloway, University of London in London, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 461st in the world. Tuition: £16,000 – £22,000 per year.
London, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world
SOAS University of London in London, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world. Tuition: £15,000 – £21,000 per year.
Bradford, United Kingdom
QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world
University of Bradford in Bradford, United Kingdom. QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world. Tuition: £13,000 – £18,000 per year.
No university matches your search.
Talk to a GIEC Global counsellor for free shortlisting, application and visa support.
United Kingdom is a popular choice for international students who want a globally respected degree, modern teaching and a welcoming student community. Universities here offer undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes across business, engineering, computing, health, law, social sciences and the creative arts.
Studying in United Kingdom also means access to internships, part-time work and strong graduate employers, plus easy travel to other parts of the United Kingdom.
The table below compares the universities listed on this page by ranking, international tuition fee, intakes and English language requirement. Always confirm the latest figures on the official university website before you apply.
| University | Ranking | Tuition fee (international) | Intakes | English requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 2nd in the world | £32,000 – £45,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5 |
| University of Oxford | QS World University Rankings 2026: 4th in the world | £30,000 – £44,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5 |
| University of Cambridge | QS World University Rankings 2026: 6th in the world | £30,000 – £44,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5 |
| University College London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 9th in the world | £28,000 – £40,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5 |
| King’s College London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 31st in the world | £27,000 – £38,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Edinburgh | QS World University Rankings 2026: 34th in the world | £24,000 – £36,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Manchester | QS World University Rankings 2026: 35th in the world | £24,000 – £34,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Bristol | QS World University Rankings 2026: 51st in the world | £23,000 – £32,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | QS World University Rankings 2026: 56th in the world | £23,000 – £33,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Warwick | QS World University Rankings 2026: 74th in the world | £23,000 – £32,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Birmingham | QS World University Rankings 2026: 76th in the world | £22,000 – £30,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Glasgow | QS World University Rankings 2026: 79th in the world | £21,000 – £30,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Leeds | QS World University Rankings 2026: 86th in the world | £21,000 – £29,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Southampton | QS World University Rankings 2026: 87th in the world | £21,000 – £29,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Sheffield | QS World University Rankings 2026: 92nd in the world | £20,000 – £28,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Durham University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 94th in the world | £21,000 – £29,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Nottingham | QS World University Rankings 2026: 97th in the world | £20,000 – £28,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Queen Mary University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 110th in the world | £20,000 – £30,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of St Andrews | QS World University Rankings 2026: 113th in the world | £22,000 – £30,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Bath | QS World University Rankings 2026: 132nd in the world | £20,000 – £28,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Newcastle University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 137th in the world | £19,000 – £27,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Liverpool | QS World University Rankings 2026: 147th in the world | £18,000 – £26,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Exeter | QS World University Rankings 2026: 155th in the world | £19,000 – £27,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Lancaster University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 157th in the world | £19,000 – £26,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of York | QS World University Rankings 2026: 169th in the world | £19,000 – £26,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Cardiff University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 181st in the world | £18,000 – £25,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Reading | QS World University Rankings 2026: 194th in the world | £17,000 – £24,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Queen’s University Belfast | QS World University Rankings 2026: 199th in the world | £17,000 – £24,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| Loughborough University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 225th in the world | £18,000 – £25,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 |
| University of Strathclyde | QS World University Rankings 2026: 251st in the world | £17,000 – £24,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Aberdeen | QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world | £16,000 – £23,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Surrey | QS World University Rankings 2026: 262nd in the world | £17,000 – £24,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Sussex | QS World University Rankings 2026: 278th in the world | £17,000 – £23,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Heriot-Watt University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 287th in the world | £16,000 – £23,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Swansea University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 292nd in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| City St George’s, University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 310th in the world | £17,000 – £24,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Leicester | QS World University Rankings 2026: 326th in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Oxford Brookes University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 374th in the world | £15,000 – £20,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of East Anglia | QS World University Rankings 2026: 381st in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Brunel University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 385th in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Birkbeck, University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 388th in the world | £14,000 – £19,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Aston University | QS World University Rankings 2026: 395th in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Kent | QS World University Rankings 2026: 397th in the world | £15,000 – £21,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Dundee | QS World University Rankings 2026: 428th in the world | £15,000 – £21,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Essex | QS World University Rankings 2026: 456th in the world | £15,000 – £20,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| Royal Holloway, University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 461st in the world | £16,000 – £22,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| SOAS University of London | QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world | £15,000 – £21,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Bradford | QS World University Rankings 2026: 511th in the world | £13,000 – £18,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Stirling | QS World University Rankings 2026: 517th in the world | £14,000 – £19,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
| University of Huddersfield | QS World University Rankings 2026: 524th in the world | £13,000 – £18,000 per year | September, January | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 |
Most universities ask for good grades in your previous qualification, a statement of purpose (personal statement), academic references and proof of English — usually IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or an accepted equivalent. Requirements vary by university and course, so check each course page carefully.
International tuition fees depend on the university and the course — laboratory, engineering and medical programmes cost more than business or humanities courses. Alongside tuition you should budget for accommodation, food, transport, study materials and personal costs. For the UK Student visa you must show maintenance funds for up to nine months: currently £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month elsewhere in the UK, unless you are exempt.
September/October is the main intake at universities in United Kingdom. Many universities also offer a January intake for selected postgraduate courses. Undergraduate applications are made through UCAS; postgraduate applications are usually made directly to the university. Apply early — popular courses and scholarships fill up quickly.
Student visa holders studying at degree level can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official vacations. After graduating, eligible students can apply for the Graduate Route visa to stay and work in the UK — currently two years for bachelor's and master's graduates (18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.
GIEC Global counsellors help you shortlist the right universities in United Kingdom, check your eligibility, write a strong SOP, apply for scholarships, prepare for the CAS interview and complete your Student visa application — free of cost.
The universities listed on this page are among the best choices in United Kingdom. Compare their rankings, fees, intakes and English requirements in the table above.
Tuition depends on the university and course. For the UK Student visa you must also show living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months.
September/October is the main intake. Many universities also offer January intakes for selected postgraduate courses.
Most universities accept IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or other approved tests; some accept an English waiver based on your previous education. Typical scores are IELTS 6.0–7.0.
Yes. Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays.
GIEC Global offers free counselling, university shortlisting, SOP help, application support and Student visa guidance for universities in United Kingdom.
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