Top Universities for Studying Abroad in the UK

With so many cities and universities, the UK is one of the best places in the world to study abroad. You will receive the best education as many universities in the UK are ranked amongst the best in the world. Nine have been ranked in the global top 50 by QS World University Rankings 2020, and a further nine in the global top 100. In this blog, Send My Bag have put together the top 10 UK universities, as ranked by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.

University of Oxford

As one of the oldest universities in the world, and also one of very high-status, the University of Oxford tops the ranking as the best university in the UK and one of the best in the world. The university is most famous for courses in the field of politics, economics and philosophy, ranking in first place for its political scene in a 2019 Which? student survey. As entry requirements are of a very high standard and competition is tough, securing a place to study abroad at the university of Oxford will not come easily. Although Oxford is thought to be a ‘posh’ city, it isn’t too posh for partying. Check out our blog on the top student nightlife spots in Oxford.

University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is another well-established institution in the UK and across the globe. Its global university rank by Times Higher Education was no.3 and it ranked no.2 in the UK. The university is most famous for its faculty of mathematics, with Isaac Newtown lecturing there in the 17^th century. The university’s international research institute for mathematics is named after the renowned mathematician. Like the university of Oxford, high entry standards and competition means that acceptance rates for the university of Cambridge are low.

Imperial College London

International students from over 140 different countries across the globe study at Imperial College London as another one of the best universities in the world. The university specialises in courses in the fields of science, technology, engineering, medicine and business. Imperial College is located in South Kensington, which is a must-see when studying abroad in the UK. There are stately Victorian buildings like Kensington Palace where William and Kate Middleton live, 19^th century gardens like Kensington Square and Edwardes Square, the world-famous Natural History Museum and Royal Albert Hall. Not to mention a 20-minute train ride from South Kensington will get you into central London.

UCL

UCL’s main campus is located in the heart of London, in the Bloomsbury district. You would be amongst the hustle and bustle of the city and be close to an endless choice of many shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, museums and theatres. UCL opened a new student centre in 2019 at its main campus, and its new facilities include 1,000 additional study spaces, a café, a mediation room, a Japanese garden, and much more. UCL is a very popular choice for international students, with over 18,000 students from outside the UK studying there.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was founded in 1895 and since then, there has been a wide range of ground-breaking work and research produced. It has been established as one of the world’s leading centres in social, political, and economic sciences. The first sociology course in the UK was taught at LSE in 1904.

In a 2019 Which? student survey, students said that LSE has one of the best political scenes due to its diversity and the encouragement to speak out, challenge and engage on topics and with other students.

University of Edinburgh 

First opening in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s oldest universities. In the QS World University Rankings (2020), it placed in 20^th position out of 1,000 universities, and has consistently ranked in the world’s top 50 universities in previous years. Not only would you be attending a world-class university but you would get to experience Edinburgh as one of the best cities in the world. In the QS Best Student Cities (2020), Edinburgh positioned 15^th in the world and second in the UK behind London. Make the most of the Edinburgh experience by checking out the best nightlife spots for students in the city.

King’s College London 

King’s College London is another one of the most established institutions in the world, with staff and alumni of the university including Florence Nightingale, Rosalind Franklin, John Keates and many other famous people who have made ground-breaking influences in the academic world. King’s College is known for its research excellence, with 84% of its research being deemed as ‘world-leading’ as reported by QS Top Universities.

University of Manchester 

The University of Manchester is one of the prestigious red-brick universities in the UK and it is also a Russell Group university. The university is most established for being the birthplace of nuclear physics, as it is where Ernest Rutherford first ‘split the atom’ in 1917. As well as its other major influences in the field of science and technology, like its contribution to the development of the world’s first computer. According to QS Top Universities, the university has the highest number of international students in the UK. Explore what Manchester has to offer for students by checking out the cheapest places to eat and the best student nightlife spots in the city.

If you've decided to study in the UK and need an easy, affordable way to transport your student belongings, Send My Bag provides an international student shipping service which is perfect for making sure you have everything that you need to enjoy your time in the UK.