Top Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

Updated on: 19 Apr 2021

“Over 4 lakh students are benefitting from the Transnational Education provided by the Universities in the UK.”

We humans are slaves to our immediate emotions, needs, and wants. Our aspirations understand no limit. You may have a strong urge to change the world, the lives of people around you or you want to alter your career trajectory. So, how do you plan to work on that? College degrees can help. They make your dreams come true by helping you achieve the privileged position of influence. And a degree from a UK university boosts your career in Toto.
Imagine Hogwarts in your mind, and now take a careful look at the architecture of Oxford University. You will find a lot of similarities. So, the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom not only have the most beautiful & magnificent infrastructure but makes the UK the second most popular destination in the world in higher education for international students. In recent years, the Indian students’ interest in the UK declined mainly because of the limited duration of the post-study work visa. However, 2018-19 saw an upswing in the numbers from 458,520 in 2017-18 to 485,645.

The reason for this upswing in the number of international students in the UK can be partially attributed to the new post-study work visa rules.

What are the new post-study work visa rules for the UK?

On 19th September 2019, a new route, Graduate Immigration Route (GIR) was announced. Under this route, students graduating in or after Summer 2021 will be eligible to stay in the country for up to 2 years. This is a one-time extension that will enable the students to look for work and earn in Pounds. The details of the route are still under wraps as the route is a work-in-progress.

This route is one of the many reasons that make the United Kingdom the top destination for higher education. Let’s look at some of the other reasons -

STEM (Science, Technology, and Engineering & Mathematics) courses offered by UK universities are very popular among students.

• In many UK Universities, the duration of a master’s course is of one year which makes the curriculum very challenging and intensive.
• The top universities in the United Kingdom are the epitome of international diversity which makes them a preferred choice for international students.
• The public funding share in UK universities is high. Hence, international students have to bear meager tuition fees. Various scholarships and financial aid reduce the student’s financial burden
• The Universities in the UK put across in 6.4% of global journals, 11.6% citations and 15.9% of the world’s highly-cited articles and the country constitutes only 0.9% of the total world population. The research and institutional Infrastructure of the top Universities of the United Kingdom are exceptional.
• The National Health Service (NHS) provides Indian students free medical treatment if they are enrolled in a full-time course with a nominal immigration health surcharge from £470 per year. The charges depend upon the duration the visa is granted.
• International students can work up to 20 hours a week during the school term and full time when school is out of term.
• The UK wants to increase its international student population from the current level of 460,000 to 600,000 each year by 2030. A positive step in this direction is the introduction of the GIR.

The UK expects to generate 35 billion pounds with the proposed annual 30% hike of international students.

What does this say? The United Kingdom wants you there, badly.

The world-class education offered in the Universities of the UK is not limited to Russell group Institutions (the UK equivalent of Ivy League institutes), universities other than this prestigious group are doing exceptionally well.

Here is the list of the ranks of top universities in the United Kingdom in relation to the enrollment of international students in 2019-20 -

Here are the details of the fee structure, average compensation, and main employers for different courses of the top five UK universities (according to the number of international students):-
The criteria for securing an admit to a UK varsity depend on the respective university. However, there are some common norms applicable to all.

• English eligibility tests (TOEFL, IELTS, or UCLES) are mandatory.
• First (70% and above) or an upper second class (60 to 70%) undergraduate degree in addition to a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 for a Master’s degree.
• For postgraduate degrees in management, a first-class undergraduate degree with 2-3 years’ work experience is mandatory.

1. The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world with evidence that teaching took place as far back as 1096. This may not be the reason for international students to aim for this university. The university is ranked #1 in the world for medicine and figures in the top 10 for life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities. It is a research-driven university that offers nearly 250 courses. Being a prestigious university, its graduates as well are sought-after from organizations all over the world.

• The avg. remuneration: £42,000
• Master of Science: £29,160 (1-year)
• Master of Engg: £27,460 (annual)
• Living Costs: £1,175 to £1,710 per month
• Top Employers: The NHS, Oxford University Press, Hudl

2. University College London

It is currently ranked #10 in the QS World University Rankings 2021. It is also the top-rated university for research strength. It forms one part of the Golden triangle of universities, which also includes the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. It is known for its research and teaching. Some of the courses that University College London is known for are Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, Geography, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Medicine, and Psychology.

• Avg. Salary: £ 36,000
• Master of Science: £28,410 (annual)
• Master of Engg: £26,660 (annual)
• Living Costs: £1544 per month
• Top Employers: Aecom Corporation, Accenture, EY ( Ernst & Young)

3. Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine

Imperial College London consistently ranks in the top 10 QS World University Rankings. It is well-known for science, engineering, and medicine programs. Recently, the Imperial College Business School and Humanities department also earned a name for itself, with programs like Accounting, Finance, and Development studies ranking in the top 100. Though there are a few colleges ranking above Imperial College, it holds a strong position in terms of graduate employability.

• The avg. salary: £41,000
• Master’s in Science: £34,750
• Master of Engg: £ 32,500
• Top Employers: Cobham PLC, AmTrust Financial, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc
• Living Costs: £1000 to £1500 per month

4. The University of Edinburgh

A research-intensive university, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s prestigious institutions. It is made up of three colleges - Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. It’s Medicine and Veterinary Medicine program has established itself as the forerunner in the field. Moreover, the university has consistently improved over the years with most of its courses and programs ranking in the top 20.

• Average salary: £35,000
• Master in Science: £34,200
• Master of Engg: £29,600
• Living costs: £700 to £1400 per month
• Top Employers: University of Edinburgh, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Royal Bank of Scotland

5. Kings College London

King’s College London not only features in the list of top 50 colleges in the UK but is also ranked in the UK’s top 5 for graduate employability. The university provides quality education to its students and lucrative internship opportunities. The university has partnered with Southbank Centre, Globe’s Theatre, National Gallery, and many more to open its students up to experience a stimulating study and work environment. The university has only moved up the ladder in terms of teaching, research, and international outlook.

• Average Salary: £35, 000
• Master of Science: £27,900 (annual)
• Master of Computer Science: £55,000
• Top Employers: The National Health Service (NHS), Capgemini, GE (Healthcare)
• Living Cost: minimum of £ 1,250 per month

How Can GyanDhan Help You With Admissions To UK’s Top Universities?

The UK is home to some of the world’s top universities making the admissions equally competitive. Seems intimidating? Well, GyanDhan can help you prepare your profile to get into your dream university. We have partnered with hand-picked experts who will guide you through the application and admissions process. Admission Counseling does burn a hole in the pocket but with GyanDhan, you do not have to worry about your pocket as you get highly discounted rates. Contact us for admission counseling or visit GyanDhan’s page for more information about admission counseling and education loans, and complete your dream to study in the universities in the UK.

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First published date: 17 Apr 2019