Updated on: 18 Jan 2022
Students always prefer British universities as a preferred location for pursuing higher education. You must have heard the name of top universities in the UK as they always figure among the top universities in the world. Even in the pre-independence era the students usually went to the UK for higher studies. The UK has consistently maintained very high standards of education, and the post-studies employment options are also pretty good for Indian students. The UK and Indian government is all set to ease the student visa and working visa norms post completion of the studies. But when it comes to choosing an educational institution you can’t simply make a random choice. When it comes to choosing a top university in the UK, you should consider all the factors. Out of which the QS World University Rankings is the most trusted list for assessing the teaching standard, curriculum, job opportunities, and a plethora of other factors. Since most students from India go for post-graduation courses, we will focus on the top universities in the UK for masters. Here is the list of top universities in the UK in chronological order that you should consider before planning to study in the UK. We are following a chronological order with the best universities at the beginning. However, all the universities are equally good, and you can choose an institution based on your field of study, tuition fee, scholarship or any other reason you may deem fit. Fill the form to get free expert help The University Of Oxford is certainly the world’s best university, and the rich cultural heritage of the institution is second to none. Oxford is a brand name of excellence, and probably this is the reason why students across the globe apply for admission to the prestigious university. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 place Oxford as the second-best university on the face of the earth. If you want to take admission at Oxford you have to have an impeccable academic record. It doesn’t matter which course you wish to pursue, the university has one of the best schools across disciplines. If you are planning to pursue a masters degree, this might interest you to know that in 2017-18, Oxford University received £579.1 million for research funding. When it comes to assessing an institution, its resources play a pivotal role in establishing its credential as a world-class university. The Bodleian Libraries at the University Of Oxford is among the most resource-rich libraries than any other institution in the world. It has more than 13 million printed items, over 80,000 e-journals, and a gigantic reserve of rare books and manuscripts. If you have ever heard of the top ranked university in the UK, the University Of Cambridge is certainly one of the names that must have come up. Studying at Cambridge is a big deal for students across the globe. The university has been ranked at 7th rank in the QS World University Rankings. It is the second-best university in the UK. There are numerous departments, faculties, and colleges at Cambridge. There are 31 colleges affiliated with Cambridge University, and there are several other research bodies. There are many centres of excellence wherein post-graduate and doctoral students are given the opportunity to be a part of the world’s most advanced research works. Cambridge University also happens to be an institution that doesn’t believe in the age barrier and has an Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) which enables students of all ages to pursue part-time and short courses. If you don’t come from a well-heeled family then we have good news for you as the University of Cambridge provides scholarships amounting to a total of £100 million to meritorious students. Imperial College London is perhaps the world’s best institution for studying science, engineering, medicine, and business. The institution has built its credibility with a large pool of successful graduates sitting at top posts in Corporate, Governments, Research labs, etc. One of the best things that you will find about Imperial College London is its location, as it is located in Central London which makes the student life more charming than any other institution. The accommodation facilities at Imperial College are one of the best in the entire UK. The student accommodation halls are equipped with all the modern amenities which assure students of coming directly to the college without having the need to worry about accommodation. Also, the research ecosystem in Imperial College is one of the best in the world as they actively collaborate with industry experts and the world’s leading companies. It has provisions for bursaries and scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance while bursaries are the financial supports that are given for reasons other than academics. University College London or the UCL is ranked at 4th number in the UK, and 8th rank globally. It is a premier institution that is known for its world-class research facilities and employment opportunities post-completion of studies. It’s because of the research opportunities at the UCL that it has 30 Nobel laureates, 11 academic faculties, 48000 students, 440 undergraduate programs, and 675 postgraduate programs. The UCL has one of the most diverse campuses in the UK, and around 53% international students. It also has a vast pool of international faculty which constitutes 37% of the total teaching staff. The university also actively collaborates with international universities for research collaborations and other academic activities. There are many scholarships that you can apply for that are available for students wanting to pursue higher education at UCL. And for availing of these scholarships you need not have great academics. Several scholarships are awarded for excellence in areas other than academics. The University Of Edinburgh is placed at 16th rank globally and grabs the 5th spot in the UK. It is a university of global repute, and graduates of the University of Edinburgh have secured top positions in corporate and public offices across the globe. The research ecosystem is one of the most comprehensive when it comes to a broad spectrum of disciplines that are available for masters and doctoral students. From African studies to Astrophysics and Clinical Brain Sciences to Energy Systems are a wide spectrum of areas where you can pursue research. More than 80% of research work at the university is categorized as world-class. There is a blend of online and offline courses that are available for a master’s degree at the university. Located in the city of Edinburgh, you get the opportunity of exploring the picturesque beauty on holidays. The career prospects are quite bright for students because of an active career service that will assist you in online jobs board advertising work during the semester, vacations, and after graduation. It also allows students to have one on one interactions with industry leaders for a better understanding of the job market. The University Of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK established in 1824. It has a considerably large pool of international students from more than 160 countries across the globe. The university is part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities that have one of the most advanced research and job opportunities. It is ranked 27th in the QS World University Rankings and 6th best university in the UK. The university has a great track record when it comes to employability, as more than 94% of students either go for jobs or further studies. The research opportunities for postgraduate and doctoral candidates range from poverty to cancer and from Sustainable development to architecture. The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre at the university provides funding and other resources to budding entrepreneurs for startup ideas. The University excels in all the spheres which makes it one of the most sought institutions in the UK. King’s College London was established in 1836 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. Earlier it was part of the University College London, and now it awards its own degree. When it comes to higher education it has a great range of programs with a unique joint Ph.D. and master’s program. The careers and employability team at King’s College is very active and collaborates with industry experts for training, internships, and jobs. The career guidance team helps students in adapting to industry standards so that they can be industry-ready post-completion of the studies. You will also get a lot of internship opportunities because of the wide network of private and government bodies actively taking students from the college. Companies like AstraZeneca and Ericsson(the company with one of the highest number of patents in the world) partner with King’s College because of its state-of-the-art research labs, and a brilliant pool of researchers. London School of Economics and Political Science is certainly one of the top universities for an MBA in the UK or for that matter anywhere else in the world. You must have a great academic track record to secure admission at LSE. It is one of the most sought universities for students because of its close proximity to Europe's financial, legal and cultural centers. While studying at the LSE you will be part of some of the biggest projects of governments, public and private sector companies, research centers, think tanks, law firms, etc. You will also get the opportunity to interact with the world’s top political, scientific, and corporate leaders that will help in broadening your horizon. It has a great mix of students from across the globe which makes the learning process very interactive, and you can get a cultural insight into the whole world by studying at the LSE. It has a pretty efficient research ecosystem due to which around 97% of academics are actively involved in research projects. It ranks 49th globally, and 8th in the UK. The University of Bristol is the fourth most preferred university by employers in the UK. The research opportunity at the University of Bristol is at par with one of the best institutions in the world with around 83% of research projects categorized as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. One of the best things you would like about the university is that the University of Bristol is just a two-hour drive from London. Close proximity to the capital helps students in living at a relatively affordable cost without losing out on top job opportunities. It is ranked 58th in the world and 9th in the UK. The University Of Warwick is ranked 61st globally and 10th in the UK. It has one of the best research facilities in the world which makes it a preferred location for students wanting to pursue higher education. You will never get bored in an institution with a wide network of societies and student groups active on the campus. So, along with studies, you will get an environment that is conducive to your overall growth. The job opportunities are also excellent for students, and you will get ample opportunity to get a job in a top organization or the opportunity to study further. The town of Warwick is one of the most beautiful places to live, and you will be astonished by its picturesque beauty with beautiful landscapes. You can also visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. 
Table of Content
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University Of Oxford
University Of Cambridge
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Imperial College London
University College London
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University Of Edinburgh
The University Of Manchester
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King’s College London
London School Of Economics and Political Science
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University Of Bristol
The University Of Warwick
First published date: 17 Apr 2019
About author
Yogender Panchal
Yogender is a tech enthusiast with specialization in digital marketing. He is currently working at Gyandhan a leading company which provides Education Loan who are studying Abroad. Playing Volleyball, driving a car, traveling, researching new online marketing trends are some of his interest areas that keeps his rejuvenated.
GyanDhan is India's first education financing marketplace.