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University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second oldest surviving university.
Located in and around Oxford’s medieval city centre, the university comprises 44 colleges and halls, and over 100 libraries, making it the largest library system in the UK.
Students number around 22,000 in total, just over half of whom are undergraduates while over 40 per cent are international. Called the "city of dreaming spires", Oxford has the youngest population of any city in England and Wales: nearly a quarter of its residents are university students, which gives Oxford a noticeable buzz.
As a modern, research-driven university, Oxford has numerous strengths but cites particular prowess in the sciences, having recently ranked number one in the world for medicine (if its medical sciences division was a university in its own right, it would be the fourth largest in the UK) and among the top ten universities globally for life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities.
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University of Cambridge
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research institution. Its 800-year history makes it the fourth-oldest surviving university in the world and the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Cambridge serves more than 18,000 students from all cultures and corners of the world. Nearly 4,000 of its students are international and hail from over 120 different countries. In addition, the university’s International Summer Schools offer 150 courses to students from more than 50 countries.
The university is split into 31 autonomous colleges where students receive small group teaching sessions known as college supervisions. Six schools are spread across the university’s colleges, housing roughly 150 faculties and other institutions. The six schools are: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology.
The campus is located in the centre of the city of Cambridge, with its numerous listed buildings and many of the older colleges situated on or near the river Cam.
The university is home to over 100 libraries, which, between them, hold more than 15 million books in total. The university also owns nine arts, scientific and cultural museums that are open to the public throughout the year, as well as a botanical garden.
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Imperial College London
Imperial College London, a science-based institution based in the centre of the capital, is regarded as one of the UK’s leading institutions.
The college has around 15,000 students and 8,000 staff, with a focus on four main areas: science, engineering, medicine and business.
The institution has its roots in the vision of Prince Albert to make London’s South Kensington a centre for education, with colleges going alongside the nearby Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum.
The college’s motto is Scientia imperii decus et tutamen, which translates as “Scientific knowledge, the crowning glory and the safeguard of the empire”.
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10
University College London
UCL was founded in 1826 to bring higher education to those who were typically excluded from it. In 1878, it became the first university in England to admit women on equal terms as men.
Located in the heart of London, UCL is a constituent college of the University of London and a member of the Russell Group, with approximately 850 professors and over 6,000 academic and research staff.
UCL comprises 11 faculties: Arts and Humanities, Built Environment, Brain Sciences, Engineering, the Institute of Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences, and Social and Historical Sciences.
Throughout its history, UCL has been the birthplace of numerous significant scientific discoveries, with 29 Nobel Prizes awarded to UCL students or staff. The student body is nearly 36,000-strong and UCL has one of the largest systems of postgraduate study in the country. Nearly 52 per cent of students are engaged in graduate studies. Students hail from approximately 150 countries worldwide making up more than one-third of the university’s entire student population.
The university’s Latin motto translates as ‘Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward.’
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4
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22
King's College London
King’s College London (KCL) is one of the two founding colleges of the University of London, the sister college of University College London. Established in 1829, it is the fourth oldest university in England.
KCL is now the largest healthcare learning centre in Europe, incorporating three teaching hospitals and providing a home to more than 27,000 students (including nearly 10,500 postgraduates) from 150 countries who also benefit from its strengths in law, the humanities and social sciences.
The university’s main site is on the Strand, in the heart of London, on the north bank of the River Thames, with another four campuses located at Guy’s Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital, and in Waterloo and Denmark Hill. KCL’s central London location also means students can benefit from the university’s connections with a broad range of partners across business and industry, government and charities, arts, sports and culture.
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35
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the foremost social science universities in the world, specialising in a wide range of social science disciplines, including economics, politics, sociology, law and anthropology.
It was founded in the late 1800s for the purpose of bettering society, ‘by studying poverty issues and analysing inequalities.’
The philosopher Bertrand Russell taught there in 1895-96 and 1937-38, helping to define the LSE’s ethos. In 1900, it joined the federal University of London and has remained a member ever since, rapidly expanding to its current position near Aldwych in central London, where King George V laid the first stone of its 'Old Building' in 1920.
Today, the LSE is world-renowned. Home to 9,600 full time students from some 140 countries, it maintains international partnerships with Columbia University in New York, Sciences Po in Paris, Peking University in Beijing, the National University of Singapore and the University of Cape Town.
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Queen Mary University London
Queen Mary University of London is a public research university in Mile End, East London, England. It is a member institution of the federal University of London. Teaching in Mile End began as a philanthropic endeavor under the auspices of the East London College in the 1880s
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University of Edinburgh
Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Britain and Ireland’s seven ancient universities.
It is made up of three colleges: arts, humanities and social sciences; science and engineering and medicine and veterinary medicine. Within these three colleges, there are 20 academic schools.
In total, the university attracts around 35,000 students, the majority of which study within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the largest of its colleges.
Its College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is reputed to be a world-leader in its field.
UoE is an internationally-focussed university and welcomes students from all corners of the globe, with the majority coming from China and the United States. Situated in the heart of the historic capital of Scotland, the city of Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliament, an ancient volcanic rock and an iconic castle.
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5
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29
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a place where research has international impact, where students experience outstanding teaching and learning, transforming into employable graduates, and where all activity is enriched by a commitment to social responsibility and the benefits we bring to society and the environment.
Manchester was the first and most eminent ofEngland’s civic universities. Their rich heritage of discovery, social change and pioneering spirit remains at the heart of all we do. Manchester has a rich history of ground-breaking research and 25 Nobel laureates have studied or worked with them.
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8
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54
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a redbrick research university located in the vibrant city of Bristol, southwest England. Founded in 1876,Bristol was the first higher education institution in England to admit men and women on an equal basis.
Today, the university offers over 600 degree courses covering a wide range of subjects. It is home to 26 academic schools, divided into six faculties: Arts, Life Sciences, Science, Engineering, Social Sciences and Law, and Health Sciences.
The university boasts strong connections with hundreds of employers, ranging from small businesses to worldwide organisations.
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9
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76
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow was named TimesHigher Education University of the Year. In 2020, they have been home to world-changing research and teaching for more than 560 years.
Their research excellence responds to some of the world’s greatest challenges in areas such as precision medicine and chronic diseases, one health, future life, addressing inequalities, cultural and creative economies, and the nano and quantum world. Their annual research turnover is more than £180 million. They support our researchers in a positive and collaborative research culture. They deliver an award-winning researcher development programme for postgraduate students. Their 14centres for doctoral training provide funding and collaboration opportunities.
They offer an excellent student experience in one of the world’s friendliest and most affordable cities. Their FutureWorld Changers programme showcases postgraduate students who are working to change the world.
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10
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University of Warwick
The University of Warwick, based on the outskirts of the city of Coventry, England, first opened its doors in 1965.
Academically, the university is known also for its commitment to research. Warwick maintains around 30 academic departments, organised into four faculties: Arts, Medicine, Science and Social Science. In support of this, the university has an extensive library boasting more than 13 kilometers worth of manuscripts. Smaller campuses are also maintained at satellite sites.
In terms of recreation, Warwick has a number of different student societies providing for a wide range of interests. In addition, the university’s student union is one of the largest in the UK. Many different events are held on campus, such as music concerts as well as visits from guest speakers.
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11
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104
University of Birmingham
Founded in 1900, the University of Birmingham prides itself on a longstanding tradition of innovation and progressive initiatives.
The modern university is home to 26,000 students, 5,000 of them international. With 31% of its academic staff also from overseas,Birmingham lays claim to one of the most diverse campuses in the UK and encourages a global outlook.
Despite Birmingham’s industrial roots, the city is one of the greenest in the UK, with more miles of canals than Venice. Popular with foodies, it is second only to London in terms of the number of Michelin star restaurants it boasts and, with almost 40% of its population below the age of25, the city has one of the youngest populations in Europe.
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University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a research-intensive university on the south coast of England. A founding member of the prestigiousRussell Group of research-intensive universities, Southampton is a comprehensive university offering a choice of more than 300 degree programmes across a wide range of subject areas.
The university is at the forefront of pioneering cancer immunotherapy research, and its engineering research is pushing the boundaries of performance sport with the help of large-scale facilities such as wind tunnels and towing tanks.
The University of Southampton actively helps student and staff start-up companies through its business incubators and Science Park. Over the years, the institution has also developed strong links with industry partners such as Microsoft, IBM and Philips. The university is also a significant contributor to the regional and national economy.
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University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a public research university in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Its history traces back to the foundation of Sheffield Medical School in 1828, Firth College in 1879 and Sheffield Technical School in 1884
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14
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114
Lancaster University
Lancaster University is a public research university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established in 1964 by royal charter, as one of several new universities created in the 1960s.
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15
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122
University OF Leeds
he University of Leeds is a public research university in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was established in 1874 as the Yorkshire College of Science. In 1884 it merged with the Leeds School of Medicine and was renamed Yorkshire College.
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17
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128
University OF NottinghAM
The University of Nottingham is a public research university in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It was founded as University College Nottingham in 1881, and was granted a royal charter in 1948. The University of Nottingham belongs to the elite research intensive Russell Group association
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University OF EXETER
The University of Exeter is a public research university based in Exeter, South West England. Its motto is Lucem sequimur (we follow the light). The University of Exeter is organised into six academic colleges. Their many research institutes and centres include theCentre for Leadership Studies, the Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture, and the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies. Its research themes are often interdisciplinary, and include climate change, translational
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19
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137
Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a UK public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England. It has overseas campuses in Singapore and Malaysia. The university is a red brick university and a member of the Russell Group, an association of research-intensive UK universities.
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University of York
The University of York is a collegiate research university, located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects
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