The Best Universities in England 2025

The best universities in England are also considered among the best in the world. Students are drawn to study in England because of the world-class education, beautiful and historic countryside, cities and towns and the fact that a degree from an English university carries weight all over the world, meaning graduates are career-ready wherever they wish to go next.

The publication of the annual UK University Rankings by The Times and Sunday Times is considered a huge event worldwide. Of the 131 universities featured in the 2025 edition, the London School of Economics and Political Science finished 1st for the first time in its history.

Learn more about LSE, the best university in England, below. If you are ready to apply, contact SI-UK London today for a free consultation where we can take you through all of your available study options, help you find your dream and course and fill in your UCAS application.

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The Top 10 Universities in England

1. London School of Economics and Political Science

London School of Economics and Political Science specialises in social sciences, particularly economics, politics, law, and sociology. Founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, LSE has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and is probably the best university to go to for those seeking work in London in financial services.

• View LSE courses
• International tuition fee range: £17,000 to £35,000
• Scholarships: Among many available scholarships at LSE (London School of Economics) are the Undergraduate Support Scheme, Wellcome Award MSc in Health and International Development, and Antoine Faure-Grimaud MSc Scholarships.
• Accommodation: At LSE, join the vibrant student community with over 4000 accommodations in our halls, University of London intercollegiate residences, private halls, privately rented places, and short-term rooms available during summer.

2. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford finished top of the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for England. The University of Oxford is part of Oxbridge and has won ten Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher Education, more than any other university. It is considered one of the best higher education institutes in the world.

• View Oxford courses
• International tuition fee range: £28,950 to £44,240
• Scholarships: Some of the most popular scholarships offered by the University of Oxford are the Rhodes Scholarship, Clarendon Scholarship, and Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme, each providing significant financial support to outstanding graduate students.
• Accommodation: Oxford offers diverse accommodation options for graduate students, including housing provided by the colleges and the University and opportunities to find private-sector housing.

3. University of Cambridge

Despite missing out on the top spot in the ranking, the University of Cambridge remains in the top five in all three main world university rankings. As a collegiate university, Cambridge is unusual for having no campus and is essentially a group of 31 self-governing colleges coming under one Cambridge banner. The University has produced 89 Nobel winners to date, while the city has some of the most ancient and iconic buildings found anywhere in the UK.

• View Cambridge courses
• International tuition fee range: £24,000 to £65,000
• Scholarships: Cambridge International Scholarships & Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, Cambridge UK Masters Scholarships, and Prince Philip Scholarships are some of the available scholarship opportunities for students at the University of Cambridge.
• Accommodation: At Cambridge, most students are guaranteed accommodation in College-owned property for three years, with many Colleges also providing accommodation for fourth-year students, allowing them to reside within the College for their entire course duration instead of opting for a hall of residence in the first year.

4. Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's leading universities, as shown by its permanent position in the World Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings, where it is currently ranked in the top 90. Durham is another member of the prestigious Russell Group, and the collegiate system makes Durham exceptional. There are 17 colleges to choose from, and each college offers the full range of facilities you’d expect to find at a university.

30% of international students represent 150 different countries at Durham. The city is friendly and welcoming, with the famous Cathedral and Castle at its heart - designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site - dominating the city skyline.

• View Durham courses
• International tuition fee range: £15,000 to £30,000
• Scholarships: Brian Cooper Scholarship, Choral and Organ Scholarships, Durham Inspired Computer Science - Coleman Scholarship, and Durham Inspired Black Heritage Scholarships are among the top scholarships.
• Accommodation: Durham University accommodation mainly consists of single, standard rooms with a single bed and shared bathroom and toilet; however, they also offer 42 ensuite rooms, 29 shared rooms with two single beds, and some rooms with double beds.

5. Imperial College London

After Cambridge and Oxford, Imperial College London has some of the toughest entry requirements in England to meet if you wish to study here. Still, its world-class reputation across various subjects, including science, engineering and medicine, makes it worth applying.

Based across nine different campuses in London, the student's union has one of the largest selections of clubs and societies in the whole of the UK, meaning plenty to do away from your studies. Imperial also scored Gold in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework and has a world class reputation for research.

• View Imperial courses
• International tuition fee range: £21,000 to £42,000
• Scholarships: The Alvin Li-Shen Chua Memorial Scholarship, Bseisu - Imperial College London Scholarships/Chevening-Bseisu Scholarship, and Civil Engineering Skempton Scholarship are some of the scholarships available at Imperial College London.
• Accommodation: Around 90% of undergraduates at Imperial College London opt to live in our halls of residence during their first year, which offers around 2,900 rooms, including single and twin accommodation.

6. University College London

University College London is a leading global university currently ranked 9th globally, 4th in Europe, and 4th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024). UCL is considered 'London's Global University', and 53% of its international student body creates a multicultural and friendly environment.

• View UCL courses
• International tuition fee range: £22,200 to £41,000
• Scholarships: The scholarships available at UCL include the Access Opportunity Scholarship, UCL Global Masters Scholarship, Anna Plowden Trust Scholarship, and CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship.
• Accommodation: UCL offers an extensive selection of student accommodation in London, with approximately 7000 beds available across 26 halls, ensuring you can find the perfect accommodation that suits your needs.

7. University of Bath

The University of Bath is a high-ranking UK university overlooking a UNESCO World Heritage City in the South West of England. Named ‘University of the Year’ by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, and recently named a top 100 university in the world for graduate employability by QS.

Ranked the 7th best university in the UK and 5th for career prospects after 15 months by the Guardian University Guide, Bath has 86% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, meaning the University is ranked 1st in England and 3rd in the UK.

• View Bath courses
• International tuition fee range: £17,200 to £44,000
• Scholarships: At the University of Bath, students can apply for the Deans Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship, Global Leaders Scholarship, and Sir Jack Cater Scholarship.
• Accommodation: The University offers accommodation options for undergraduate, postgraduate, pre-sessional, and exchange students, providing choices both on campus and in the city centre.

8. University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a member of the Russell Group. At Warwick, researchers deliver impact across multiple areas – from global pandemic planning to mental health to improving equality in the arts, cancer diagnosis and job quality. Warwick has an exceptional success rate in the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, highlighting the high calibre of staff that teach Warwick degrees.

Warwick also runs several generous scholarship schemes and partners with external funding agencies and sponsors to reduce the barriers to an overseas education for academically gifted students from around the world at all levels of study. 

• View Warwick courses
• International tuition fee range: £21,220 to £29,000
• Scholarships: Warwick offers several scholarships, including the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship (WUGES), Excellence in STEM Scholarships, and AHRC Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership.
• Accommodation: You can select from various accommodation options, all conveniently close to our fantastic campus facilities, offering independent living with the reassurance of our support when needed.

9. Loughborough University

Loughborough University has been one of the biggest movers of all UK universities over the last decade. Loughborough is now a regular top ten UK university with some of the best student experience results in the UK, and over 90% of Loughborough’s research is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework.

Loughborough's top 10 UK Business School offers a truly global perspective for your future career, while the University is in the top 100 in the world for Mechanical Engineering and the best university in the world for sports-related subjects for the 6th year running QS World University Rankings by Subject.

• View Loughborough courses
• International tuition fee range: £16,100 to £30,600
• Scholarships: Loughborough University provides the Care Leaver's Scholarship, Chevening Scholarships - Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and Communication and Media Scholarships to assist students in achieving their educational goals.
• Accommodation: Loughborough’s residence halls foster an unparalleled community spirit, surpassing that of any other UK university, providing exceptional accommodation options for postgraduate students to explore.

10. University of Bristol

Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, the University of Bristol is renowned for its academic excellence and strong focus on student experience and employability. It provides students with access to leading academics who are experts in their fields.

Bristol offers a wide range of highly ranked subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including engineering, law, computer science, data science, medicine, economics, politics, psychology, and veterinary science, to name just a few. The University’s Business School is a respected institution, known for its forward-thinking research and innovative teaching methods.

• View Bristol courses
• International tuition fee range: £21,200 to £40,000
• Scholarships: The University of Bristol offers a variety of scholarships, including the Think Big Scholarship, Global Citizenship Scholarship, and Sanctuary Scholarship to support students from diverse backgrounds.
• Accommodation: The University provides a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets, ranging from traditional halls of residence to modern apartment-style living, all within close proximity to campus and the city's amenities.

Study in England

If you want to apply to any of the above universities, arrange your free consultation with SI-UK today. Our full range of university application services can help you secure a UK university offer, including the Oxbridge Service, which specialises in Cambridge and Oxford applications.

FAQs

What are the admission requirements to study in England?

Admission requirements in English universities typically involve several steps. Firstly, international students must research and choose their desired university and program. Next, they must meet the academic qualifications and English language proficiency criteria. This might involve submitting standardised test scores like Pearson PTE or TOEFL. Afterwards, applicants must prepare and submit all necessary documents, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

Is England a good place to study as an international student?

England is a popular destination for international students due to its prestigious universities, high-quality education, diverse cultural experiences, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The country offers various degrees across various disciplines, attracting students worldwide.

How can an international student get a full scholarship?

Securing a full scholarship in England can be competitive, but international students can increase their chances by excelling academically and showcasing outstanding achievements in extracurricular activities. It is crucial to research scholarship opportunities specific to their field of study and country of origin. Applying to multiple scholarships and carefully following application instructions is essential.

Which university gives the most scholarships to international students?

All English universities have a pool of scholarships available to international students at the start of each academic year. Prospective students should research the latest scholarship offerings on the official websites of these institutions.