Top 10 British Universities

• Study In Europe
• February 24, 2016

Top British: In terms of numbers of international students, the UK overall lags only behind the considerably larger US – and this popularity is unsurprising given the strong global reputation enjoyed by UK universities. An impressive 71 UK universities feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16, with four currently ranked among the world’s top 10.

The University of Cambridge is currently ranked joint third in the world, while theUniversity of Oxford is sixth, followed by UCL (University College London) at seventh andImperial College Londonat eighth place.King's College London (KCL) and the University of Edinburgh are also in the global top 25, while theUniversity of ManchesterandLondon School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)are within the top 40. A total of 18 UK universities appear in the top 100, and another 12 make the top 200. 

 

Exeter’s first appearance in the Complete University Guide’s top 10 was just 2 years ago and it’s managed to maintain its spot for the 3rd year in a row. Exeter’s rise to prominence has been spearheaded by its rapidly increasing graduate prospects and entry standards.

Located in the South West, attending university here almost guarantees you’ll get the lion’s share of England’s good weather – perhaps it was time spent day-dreaming in the sun that inspired J.K Rowling’s wizarding world.

9. Lancaster University

After a brief 2 year hiatus Lancaster University is back in the UK's top 10. The university has been working and spending towards a better all-round experience for its students with its return to the top 10 attributable to increased Facilities Spend and Academic Services Spend - the uni spends £1,565 per student on academic services such as the library and computing, and £778 per student on supporting services such as sports facilities. 

For a top quality campus-based university experience, and quick access to the great outdoors (the Lake District is on Lancaster's doorstep) Lancaster University might be the one.

Search through undergraduate courses at Lancaster University.

8. University of Surrey

The University of Surrey has well and truly gone from strength to strength when it comes to its position in the Complete University Guide. In our first publication in 2008 Surrey were ranked 35th, and now at long last the university qualifies for our coveted top 10.

Surrey scores highly for Student Satisfaction – 4.24 – and for Graduate Prospects – 81.2%.

Located in Surrey's county town, Guildford, this university is 1 for those seeking a high quality education in a bustling area with the luxury of having the nation's capital not far down the road.

Search through undergraduate courses at the University of Surrey.

7. University of Warwick

When it comes to universities in the Midlands, Warwick always comes out on top. Scoring highly for Entry standards, Research and Graduate Prospects, you’ve got to seriously consider this institution for your university career. Warwick also features heavily in our subject tables, appearing in the top 10 for 19 different subjects - truly an all-rounder. 

6. University of St Andrews

Beautifully set against the backdrop of the east coast of Scotland, the country's oldest university continues to perform well under the intense scrutiny of the Complete University Guide. 

Despite its rural location St Andrews has quite a pull for our young minds, with over 30% of the town’s population being either a student or lecturer during term-time. Interestingly the university has produced more directors of FTSE 100 companies in proportion to its size than any other educational institution in Britain – now that’s food for thought.

5. Durham University

Not just a stomping ground for Oxbridge rejects, Durham is a high-performing university in its own right, as is evidenced by its consistent appearance in the top 5 of our university league tables – forget top 10.

Trust us, the city of Durham is not to be missed and if you are accepted for a place at Castle College you’ll literally be living in a castle. Add to this Durham’s outstanding reputation for research and teaching, you’re on to a winner.

4. Imperial College London

Imperial always places within the UK's top 10 unis and will be pleased to have regained its 4th place position in the 2016 league table. The university has made small improvements in scores across the board but most notably in Student Satisfaction, Entry Standards, and Graduate Prospects. 

A specialist in science, engineering, medicine and business, and located in the get-up-and-go city of London, places at Imperial are highly sought after.

3. London School of Economics and Political Science

No surprises here. The top 3 placings have been the same for 4 years running now. LSE certainly doesn’t have a bad reputation when it comes to the Complete University Guide, having occupied a top 5 position since the league table’s inception all the way back in 2007 –  but now it’s safe to say the uni is brushing shoulders with Oxford and Cambridge.

LSE specialises in the social sciences and has a global focus, in fact the student cohort includes representatives from around 145 countries.

2. University of Oxford

Poor old Oxford, placing behind its adversary in the Complete University Guide league table seems to be becoming something of a habit. Let’s be fair though, 2nd place isn’t to be sniffed at and Oxford won this year’s boat race, in both the women's and the men's races – have that Cambridge! Oxford’s reputation is largely based on its academic prowess with it having developed some of the greatest minds of our time such as Stephen Hawking – and of course, the infallible Boris Johnson.

1. University of Cambridge

Cambridge pip Oxford to the post for the 5th year running. That’s 5 years in a row at the top of the Complete University Guide’s university league tables, an impressive feat to say the least.

World renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, and with rigorous entry standards, Cambridge looks set to rule the UK university scene for some time. This is the place to be if you hope to 1 day stand on the shoulders of giants such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.