Leading universities in the UK. The best universities in the UK

Great Britain is a country with centuries-old traditions of higher education. The first English university - Oxford University - was founded in the 11th century. Since then, many educational institutions have grown on the shores of foggy Albion. Today, some of them, like Oxford, need no introduction.

The most prestigious universities in the UK according to The Times Higher Education

One of the most authoritative publications specializing in the creation of international rankings of educational institutions, The Times Higher Education (THE) has surpassed its colleagues in determining such rather vague indicators as the influence and prestige of an educational institution.

In addition to the overall world ranking of universities, the World Reputation Rankings 2016 has been published on THE website. This classification was formed based on a survey of experts from the academic environment and represents the Top 100 most influential universities in the world.

According to THE, the top ten most famous and prestigious universities on the planet include 2 English educational institutions: the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

University of Oxford is the oldest university in the UK. The official opening date of the university has not been set: according to some sources, the first students, mostly clergymen, appeared in Oxford as early as the 11th century.

Today, the University of Oxford includes 38 colleges with over 22,000 students. The teaching staff of the university is formed by members of the most prestigious scientific organizations, such as the Royal Society of London and the British Academy. Oxford alumni include Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde and Margaret Thatcher.

University of Cambridge- the second oldest university in Britain and Oxford's main rival in the battle for places in international rankings (applicants are prohibited from applying to both universities in the same year).

Cambridge was founded in 1209 by a group of scholars who had left Oxford. Today the university is a confederation of 31 colleges with about 19,000 students from all over the world. There are 130 Nobel laureates among students and employees of the university - more than in any other university in the world.

Famous UK universities in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017

Other analytical giants do not undertake to form classifications solely on the basis of such a subjective indicator as the university's reputation in the academic environment. However, they often include reputation in the general list of criteria, along with a number of objective parameters: the volume of research work of the university, the Hirsch index (scientific citation index), etc.

The top ten universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings this year included 4 British educational institutions: Cambridge and Oxford mentioned above, as well as UCL (University College London) and Imperial College London.

University College London (UCL) was founded in London in 1826. At the time of opening, UCL became the first university located in the British capital, as well as the first educational institution in the country, where students were admitted regardless of their religion. In addition, in 1876, the university began to admit women to study before other universities in Great Britain.

Today UCL is the oldest college in the University of London. More than 38,000 students study here, the university has 2 overseas campuses - in Qatar and in Australia. Among the graduates of the university are such outstanding personalities as Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Bell, Peter Higgs (after whom the Higgs boson was named).

Imperial College London is a prestigious technical university in South Kensington. The educational institution was founded in 1907 by the merger of three previously existing universities. Exactly one hundred years of Imperial College London, like University College London , was part of the University of London, but since 2007, the college has been operating as an independent educational institution.

More than 16 thousand students study at Imperial College London. Among the graduates and staff of the college are 15 Nobel laureates, as well as many members of reputable scientific communities.

The most famous universities in the UK in other international rankings

To complete the picture, let's consider 2 more classifications of higher education institutions from reputable rating agencies.

The top 20 universities in the world according to CWUR in 2016 include all the same Oxford and Cambridge. U.S. Top 20 News & World Report, in addition to Oxbridge, also includes Imperial College London.

After analyzing the information from the above sources, it is not difficult to see that the list of the most famous universities in England is not so extensive and not very open. From year to year, "prizing places" in the rankings of the best universities in the world go to the same British universities (Oxbridge + - 1, 2 universities). Young educational institutions are simply not able to compete with the ancient giants, whose reputation and authority have evolved over the centuries.

Universities in England have centuries-old traditions, and are also among the most prestigious in the world. Check out the list and descriptions of the most popular universities in the UK and choose the one that suits you in all respects.

Getting a job can seriously affect your ability to find a good job and get promoted faster. Traditions in this country are honored and, last but not least, they relate to education. No wonder English higher education institutions are among the best, according to various experts. Here you can see a lot of foreigners, their number exceeds 65 thousand people. Restrictions are related to age, which must be at least 18 years old. Of course, you need to finish school in your home country.

Requirements and features of training

Since in England it takes 13 years to complete a secondary education, a foreign applicant will not need a matriculation certificate, but an A-levels exam. This can be done at one of the international colleges or private schools, having completed a two-year pre-university study.

Also, you can unlearn in advance at preparatory courses that will help you enter an English institute. There is an opportunity to go to study after the first or second year of a domestic university. You will have to demonstrate excellent knowledge of the English language and pass the exam.

The first three to four years will be needed to complete a bachelor's degree. This makes it possible to have a first degree and become a bachelor of law, humanitarian, technical, pedagogical sciences, as well as medicine and music.

Much attention in many universities is paid not only to study and a well-established and comfortable life, but also to the opportunity for students to study English more deeply.

An important advantage is that each foreign student will be able to choose a program that will meet their own abilities and needs. Of course, this does not cancel the mandatory course. But if you can get general information at lectures, then at seminars there is an opportunity to study almost individually with a teacher, since classes are usually held in small groups.

Some orthodoxy did not prevent us from building it in such a way that everyone could reveal their abilities more fully, learn to independently solve various problems and find a solution.

After a bachelor's degree, you can go to the second stage and get a master's degree. This will allow not only to improve their professional level, but also to actively engage in research work. Therefore, it is important to choose a university with a good laboratory and library collections. True, it should be noted that many well-known scientists work in universities and, in addition to their own research, help young graduate students write their dissertations.

Rules and fees

It is important to know a few rules that will help you enter an English university faster and more successfully.

You need to pay attention to English. The Foundation program will help fill in the gaps and raise the level of knowledge.

After choosing a specialty, you need to study the ranking of universities and choose the two universities that are most suitable. Those in the top ten have more stringent, special requirements.

The collected documents and the application must be sent in advance. Reception and consideration is from September 1 to October 15. You will have to come to Oxford and Cambridge and submit documents directly to the selection committee.

In England, the UCAS College and University Admissions Service operates, so admission is through it.

It is imperative to send the results of the exams, because only then there is a real chance to start your studies at the university.

For foreign students, the cost of education may vary, as EU citizens receive certain discounts and some benefits. In addition, after receiving a diploma in this country, you can even work in your specialty for two years.

It will take three years to get a bachelor's degree in England, and even four in Scotland. However, no one bothers to simultaneously undergo an industrial practice and earn extra money at the same time. This combination of study and work is very common in England.

Until the age of seven, those who have chosen some areas of medicine or architecture will have to study. But it takes only two years to become a master.

The cost of education is also affected by the prestige of the university and the rating of the specialty. On average, the price ranges from 10 to 12 thousand pounds per year. True, medical specialties can cost 20-22 thousand pounds.

But no matter where the training takes place, one can only say that the money was not spent in vain.

UK universities are the most popular institutes, universities and colleges in the UK. Detailed descriptions of study programs, reviews, photos and videos about universities in the UK.

The very best

Cambridge university

One of the oldest and largest English universities, the University of Cambridge was founded in 1209. Already in the 13th century. in Cambridge formed humanities, law, theology and medical faculties. From that time to this day, Cambridge has consistently ranked highest in the world university rankings, competing with Oxford for the title of the best university.

The very best

Oxford University

The university city of Oxford, located northwest of London, has become famous for being one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the world. Of the city's 150,000 population, one in five is a student. However, the atmosphere of relaxed fun, thirst for knowledge and sincere belief in science attracts not only those who want to study to this place.

The UK education system is considered one of the best in the world - and this is not surprising: it was here that the first higher education institutions appeared, many of which still function to this day. Back in the distant 12th century, two of the most famous universities in Great Britain were founded at once - Oxford and Cambridge. And already in the 15-16 centuries, universities began to open in Scotland and other regions of the country. Many of the higher educational institutions that arose in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and are still functioning are unofficially referred to as "old universities".

In general, the British are used to dividing everything into groups and naming different categories. It's the same with universities. So, the old universities are Oxford and Cambridge in England, as well as four universities in Scotland (in Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Aberdeen and Glasgow) and one more in Ireland - Dublin. They were replaced at the very beginning of the 20th century by new universities, reorganized from colleges of applied disciplines.

Five universities in the country: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield are informally referred to as "red brick universities".

The buildings of educational buildings and academic campuses of many new universities were built of red brick - hence the name for such a distinctive feature. Initially, the name was disparaging: how can universities that have grown out of regular colleges compete with old universities that have built their reputation for centuries? New universities developed rapidly, but were perceived as "upstarts" compared to the old universities.

However, with the opening of even more new universities - in the 60s. 20th century - the term "red brick" has become a symbol of high respectability. The "old new" universities were no longer equated with upstarts, as they proved their right to exist by the high level of education of graduates. A new term appeared - “leaf glass universities” - these were the new universities, which included the University of Sussex and the University of East Anglia, as well as some others.

Thus, from three different temporary groupings of universities, a complete picture of higher education institutions in the UK has been formed. Today, many universities have the status of state universities, but the British do not have such a thing as free education - both local residents and foreign students have to pay. But the cost of education is fully justified - as we said above, British education is considered one of the best in the world, as it incomprehensibly combines centuries-old traditions and the most modern teaching technologies, as well as the latest equipment and high professionalism of teachers.

Anyone can enter the country's universities, but the most important requirement is an excellent knowledge of English. If you are going to enter here, you can improve the level of English in special courses - Foundation - this is something like preparatory courses. During their passage, foreign applicants, in addition to specialized training, can take an intensive language course, as well as learn more about what education in the UK is and on what conditions it is provided.

In addition to being the best universities in the world in terms of quality of education, many of them are also the most beautiful.

For example, the University of Glasgow in Scotland, established by a papal bull back in 1451, is a real Gothic castle with an abundance of towers and sharp spiers. And the most striking example of "red-brick" universities today is Royal Holloway University in London. The building of bright red brick, which has not faded from time to time, is stylized as the Chateau de Chambord castle in France - an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance. Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world and the oldest university in the UK. Founded presumably in 1096, the university occupies a magnificent old complex of buildings in the town of Oxford, among which the Bodleian Library, the round rotunda of Radcliffe and Magdalen College stand out.

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The best universities in the world

• UK universities: Eton, Cambridge, London and others
• Universities in Germany: Berlin im. Humboldt, Düsseldorf Academy of Arts and others
• Universities of Ireland: Dublin, National University Galway, University of Limerick
• Universities of Italy: Bo, Bologna, Pisa, University for Foreigners in Perugia
• Universities of China: Beijing, Beida, Zhejiang University and others
• Lithuania: Vilnius University
• US universities: Harvard, Yale, Princeton and others

Here is a list of the top 10 universities in the UK, compiled annually based on the quality of education, student feedback, the likelihood of a successful career after graduation and, finally, the cost per student of the university.

10. Loughborough University

Loughborough University ranked seventh in the top 10 universities in 2017. A year later, he slipped to 10th place, but still remains the leader among British universities. In addition, it is one of the leaders in terms of spending on maintaining a comfortable educational environment for students: £1056 is spent per person.

The university is known for its sporting achievements. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, students of this educational institution won 12 medals, including 5 gold medals.

9. Lancaster University

Lancaster University has been in 3rd place for the past three years, while constantly raising its overall ranking. The university is very popular with students, in particular because it spends at least £2860 per student: £1917 for the teaching and methodological department (library and computers) and £943 for sports.

In general, the university offers a very high quality education and a pleasant pastime, which is largely facilitated by the location of the university near the Lake District (Lake District).

8. University of Warwick

In the top ten universities in the UK, the place of the University of Warwick does not change and it is consistently ranked 8th, but in the Midlands it is definitely in first place due to 23 different subjects available for students to study. Employers are happy to hire graduates of this university. In addition, the University of Warwick boasts the largest student union in the UK with over 300 student organizations and sports clubs.

7. University College London (University College London)

This year, University College London showed the highest rise. Polls show that students themselves are not always satisfied with the university, but it will be easy for a graduate of this university to find a job. University College London has an excellent research base. Most of the staff of the university takes part in the research. In addition, 29 Nobel Prize winners have studied here.

An interesting fact: if not for University College London, 4 Coldplay performers would never have met.

6. Durham University

Durham University is a university made up of several self-contained colleges. It includes one of the oldest university buildings in the world - Durham Castle. In addition to the opportunity to live in a famous UNESCO World Heritage site, the university offers its students excellent opportunities for career development, including sports.

5. Imperial College London (Imperial College London)

Imperial College London focuses on science, engineering, medicine and mathematics. It is with this educational institution that the creation of penicillin and the birth of fiber optic technologies are associated. Therefore, it is not surprising that the university is leading in terms of indicators in the field of research work.

The university houses the world's largest "brain bank" with samples collected for the study of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. There is also a large center dedicated to global warming and ecology.

4. London School of Economics and Political Science (London School of Economics and Political Science)

Over the past 10 years, this university has consistently been in the top five universities in the UK. He ranked 3rd for four years in a row, but in 2018 he fell to 4th in the rankings. The university is a leader in terms of indicators in the field of research work. It is in this university that the second largest library in the UK is located. Students from 160 countries of the world study at the university and the probability of getting a well-paid job after studying at this educational institution is very high. At the same time, the rating of reviews of the students themselves about the university is the lowest.

3. St. Andrews University (University of St Andrews)

The University of St Andrews moved up two positions in 2018 compared to last year. And all thanks to the reviews about this educational institution of the students themselves.

The university is famous for its traditions. For example, it is customary to wear academic gowns for important events. In addition, freshmen are required to receive "academic parents", whom they thank with a pound of raisins. Although nowadays a bottle of wine will do.

2. Oxford University (University of Oxford)

Thanks to its consistently high ranking, the university has been holding the second position for the past five years. The University of Oxford is known for its reputation in the field of education and the 38 subjects taught by students consistently score top marks for the quality of education. At this university, many well-known politicians, such as Theresa May, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, have gnawed the granite of science.

1. University of Cambridge

For the seventh year in a row, this university has been ranked first in the ranking of the best universities in the UK, but it is not so easy to get into it due to high entrance requirements.

The University of Cambridge has a very strong research base, meaning almost all members of the staff are involved in research, and students can hope to follow in the footsteps of the naturalist David Attenborough or the writers Sandi Toksvig and A. S. Byatt, not not to mention the 96 Nobel Prize winners who studied at this university.

Top 10 universities in the UK. Rating 2018 updated: April 18, 2019 by: Elena Abdulaeva