Top 10 Public Universities in the UK for International Students [2024]



Public Universities in the UK play a significant role in keeping the country as one of the top destinations for global education. If you look at the QS world university rankings for 2024, the top ten universities in the United Kingdom are all public universities. These institutions also feature in the top 100 list, worldwide. If there is a reason why 679,970 international students choose the UK, it is primarily because of the quality of their education system and the employment opportunities these top public universities provide.

Funded by the government, public universities in London and the UK as a whole function as independent bodies regulated, checked, and ranked by the Office for Students. They typically have better infrastructure and more global recognition and renown when compared to a private educational institution in the UK



Are Public Universities Free in the UK?


Short answer: No.

There are countries in the European Union like Germany and the Scandinavian nations where public universities do not charge a tuition fee. However, this is not the case in the United Kingdom. In fact, since public universities in the UK are funded by the government, they charge a premium tuition fee for international students.

That said, as an overseas student applying to a public university in London or anywhere in the UK, you have a number of scholarship options that are instituted by the government, the universities themselves or by private organisations. Here are some of the scholarships available across universities:

  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
  • GREAT Scholarship
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)
  • Scotland Saltire Scholarships
  • Inlaks Scholarships
  • Felix Scholarships
  • Erasmus Mundus

These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and merit. They require a separate application and have a separate set of eligibility criteria to meet. Reach out to the experts at TC Global for information on these scholarships.

General Eligibility Criteria to get into Public Universities in UK


While each course and university might have a specific set of requirements, these are some of the common eligibility criteria to get into UK public universities.

  • The minimum academic qualification required for a bachelor’s degree programme is an excellent score in Grade XII with the required subjects.
  • For a master’s programme, around 75% in a relevant undergraduate degree is required.
  • Some universities/ courses require you to submit standardised test scores such as AP/ IIT-JEE/ GRE/ GMAT.
  • Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL
  • An updated resume with your academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
  • Bank statements/ Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and cost of living expenses
  • A valid passport

What are the career opportunities after graduating from public colleges in the UK?


With the current state of the global and European economy, one thing is for certain. The job market in the British Isles is extremely competitive. Some of the in-demand professional roles in the UK are

  • Healthcare professionals under the NHS (salaries ranging from £33,000 – £100,000 per annum, depending on qualification and experience)
  • Data science specialists (median salary of £55,000 p.a.)
  • Engineers across specialisations (ranging from £30,000 – £55,000 p.a)
  • IT professionals such as UX designers, project managers, SEO specialists
  • Business Managers (Salaries ranging from £30,000 – £70,000)
  • Digital Marketing professionals (Salaries ranging from £30,000 – £60,000)
  • Cyber Security specialists (Salaries ranging from £45,000 – £70,000)

The advantage of graduating from a public university is that, since they are government funded, they have state-of-the-art facilities, quality education, world renowned faculty and research facilities and therefore  are held in higher regard, when compared to private institutions in the UK Graduating from a public university in the UK adds weightage to your resume and makes you more sought after by recruiters.

Coming to the immigration side of things, you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in any of the UK universities. If you have studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or any other eligible course, before your student visa expires, you can apply for the graduate visa.

It gives you a two year period to stay in the UK while looking for jobs. You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.


Disclaimer: This video reflects details and rankings from 2023

What are the best public universities in the UK?


The best public universities in the UK according to QS Rankings 2024 are

  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Oxford
  • Imperial College London
  • UCL
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Manchester
  • King’s College London
  • London School of Economics
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Warwick

These colleges offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programmes. A bachelor’s degree is typically 3-4 years long. A postgraduate degree can be offered in one of two ways: Taught masters or Research masters. The former involves teaching and learning while the latter involves a significant research component. A taught master’s degree is typically a year long while a research-based degree can go up to 2 years.


1. University of Cambridge


Source: University of Cambridge 

A public collegiate research university founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge needs no introduction. It is one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. The university is composed of a variety of institutions including 31 semi-autonomous colleges and over 150 academic departments. A global pioneer of higher education and research, over 40% of the Cambridge student population is made up of international students.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • In addition to its history and past glory, the university continues to be at the forefront of cutting edge research. It ranks first in the United Kingdom and 2nd in the entire world, according to QS World University Rankings.
  • Access to advanced research in STEM, social sciences and the humanities.
  • Guaranteed global recognition
  • Personalised attention through Cambridge supervisions. It is essentially where undergraduate degree students are taught by doctoral or post-doc fellows in small groups (a typical group is from one to three students) on a weekly basis.
  • Access to 116 libraries, including the central university library which has a repository of over 8 million books.
  • You will be following the footsteps of iconic alumni that include Sir Issac Newton, Alan Turing, Francis Bacon, Sylvia Plath, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, and many more. 121 Nobel laureates are alumni of Cambridge.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee ranges from £24,507 to around £65,000 for an undergraduate programme, with medicine and veterinary sciences being the most expensive of the courses. At the postgraduate level, the fee ranges from £17,837 to £39,708, depending on the course. The fee also varies, depending on whether your course is full-time or part-time.

The scholarship options include

  • Cambridge Trust Scholarship
  • Oxford and Cambridge Society of India
  • SGPC Cambridge Scholarships
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
  • Rhodes Scholarships

Eligibility

For bachelor’s courses:

  • IB (A level): 40-42 points out of 45, with 776 in Higher Level subjects or 90% in CISCE and NIOS Grade XII or A1 in CBSE or 95% in State Board Exams.
  • AP Tests given by College Board or IIT-JEE will also be considered for relevant courses.
  • Some courses (Chemical engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Engineering, law, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine) also require you to pre-register for a written assessment. These tests are conducted by CAAT – Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing.
  • Statement of purpose / essay
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Financial statements proving your ability to fund the course
  • Immigration documents

For Postgraduate courses:

  • A minimum average of 75% or a CGPA of 8.0 or higher in a 4-year bachelor’s degree course in a relevant field.
  • GRE/ GMAT
  • Proof of English language proficiency. Cambridge accepts IELTS, TOEFL, ESOL – CAE, and CPE.
  • Some courses might also have an admissions test.
  • SOP, LOR, financial statements and relevant immigration documents.

Courses offered & admission process

The university offers hundreds of courses under 6 schools: School of Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Physical Sciences and Technology.

The application process is two-fold: UCAS and COPA. UCAS stands for University and Colleges Admissions Services and COPA is Cambridge Online Preliminary Application. You have to fill out and submit both the forms simultaneously. You should ensure that there is no discrepancy between the two forms. This is so that the university has access to your details before UCAS shares data. The application deadline is typically October 15, but it can change for certain courses. If you are applying for any of the courses that require an entrance test, then you must ensure you meet the registration deadline, which is typically in September of the previous academic year.


2. University of Oxford


Source: University of Oxford

The alma mater of over 70 Nobel Laureates from Erwin Shrödinger to Roger Penrose, from T.S. Eliot to V.S. Naipaul, from John Hicks to Amartya Sen, Oxford is another name in global education that needs no introduction. With a history of over 900 years, Oxford has pioneered in global education and research since 1096.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked number 2 in the UK and 3 in the world according to QS Rankings.
  • Global visibility because of the university’s reputation
  • You will be taught to build a strong work ethic and academic excellence
  • Immense networking opportunities
  • Individual attention through the Oxford Tutorial system
  • Access to world class resources and job opportunities

Fees & Scholarship options

As an overseas student, you will be paying anywhere between £27,840 and £42,000 annually, for typical undergraduate courses. If you are pursuing clinical medicine or any of the medical courses, your fees will be higher since the program in itself extends for about 6 years. The annual fees of graduate programs are significantly higher as well.

Some of the scholarship options include

  • Oxford and Cambridge Society of India scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s or a PhD programme.
  • Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Felix Scholarships
  • Oxford Weidenfeld & Hoffmann Scholarships

Eligibility

For undergraduate admissions:

  • Minimum qualification of 10 + 2 with an average of 90 – 95%
  • Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS/ TOEFL/ CAE/ CPE
  • Some courses also have subject-specific admission test administered by Tata Consultancy Services
  • Students applying for the law courses must take the LNAT
  • SAT/ ACT or other standardised test scores will also be considered.
  • SOP, LOR, statement of finance and passport.

For postgraduate admissions:

  • First class undergraduate degree in a relevant field with honours
  • Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS/ TOEFL/ CAE/ CPE
  • Your GRE/ GMAT or other standardised test scores which are subject-specific
  • University entrance exam, if applicable
  • SOP, LOR, statement of finance and passport.

Courses offered & admission process

The university offers hundreds of courses at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral level. You can access the A-Z list of courses here. The application to Oxford takes place through the UCAS portal. However, your application submitted through UCAS does not automatically guarantee you a place for the admissions test. While the UCAS deadline is typically 16 October, the registration deadline for the Oxford admissions test is September 29. If shortlisted, based on your test scores and your essay, then you will be called for an interview.


3. Imperial College London


Source: Imperial College

A public university in London, Imperial College London was set up in 1907 by a royal charter that brought to life the vision of Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria. Focussing exclusively on science, technology, medicine and business, Imperial College is one of the UK’s most renowned centres of research and entrepreneurship. It is a global education powerhouse that is recognised by recruiters all over the world. Its campuses are located in South Kensington, White City and Silwood Park.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 3rd in the UK and 8th in the world by QS.
  • Research intensive curriculum and expert faculty
  • Offers over 250 courses across the disciplines of science, technology, medicine and business.
  • Global renown and recognition
  • Over 55% of its student population is made up of international students
  • At the postgraduate level, you can choose between taught and research-based master’s courses, according to the needs of your study.

Fees & Scholarship options

The annual tuition fee ranges from £33,000 to about £50,000, depending on the course. The college also has over 50 different scholarship options to choose from, if you are seeking financial aid. These scholarships are awarded based on merit and/ or financial need and must be applied for separately. There are different scholarships at the undergraduate, postgraduate and the doctoral level for both home and overseas students. The scholarship amount ranges from £1,000 to the entire cost of tuition plus housing expenses. You can access the entire list here.

Eligibility

Some of the common eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • A levels or ISC or CBSE Class XII with a score of 90 – 95% in all subjects to apply at the UG level
  • A relevant degree from a recognised university at the postgraduate level
  • IELTS score of 6.5 or 7.0 or its TOEFL equivalent
  • GRE/ GMAT for select engineering and business programmes
  • You must also ensure that you meet the course competency requirements (taken the relevant subjects or have sufficient research or work experience as the course demands)
  • On getting the offer, you can begin applying for your student visa / study permit.

Courses offered & admission process

As mentioned earlier, courses at Imperial College are limited to the fields of science, technology, medicine and business. However, within the scope of these areas, the college offers over 250 courses that take anywhere between 3 – 5 years. Some of the more popular courses include Aeronautical Engineering, Biotechnology, Physics and Computing (Visual Computing and Robotics). You can access the entire list here.

The admission process is as follows:

  • Having chosen a course, you apply online through UCAS.
  • Ensure that you meet all the general and specific eligibility requirements.
  • Then, you submit all necessary supplementary documents (including references, personal statements, financial statements, etc).
  • The admission team will verify whether your application meets the requirements.
  • Some departments can also have an admission test to filter applications.
  • If shortlisted, attend interviews.

4. UCL


Source: UCL

Another of the top universities in the UK is UCL. University College London, more popularly referred to as UCL has had a long and complex role in the global education scene of London since 1836. It is England’s first secular institution that began admitting students regardless of their gender and the second college in England to admit women alongside men in 1878. Despite its complex history as one of the foundations of the University of London and then as a standalone university, UCL has remained at the forefront of higher education in the UK. Among all the UK universities, UCL was ranked 2nd for research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 4th in the UK and 9th in the world
  • Renowned for world-class research, global influence and impact – ranked 2nd in the UK for research power.
  • Is part of the golden triangle of research-intensive universities – Oxford, Cambridge and UCL.
  • It is the alma mater of 30 Nobel Laureates
  • Offers over 400 degree programmes to choose from
  • Located in the heart of London

Fees & Scholarship options

The typical undergraduate tuition fees for overseas students range from £26,000 – £35,000. At the postgraduate level, the taught programmes can cost anywhere between £19,000 and £35,000. The research courses have considerably higher fees.

Here are some scholarships to consider. You can also delve deeper and look into scholarships that are specifically awarded in your department or area of study.

  • Baxendale Scholarship
  • Chevening scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Awards
  • Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
  • Global Masters Scholarship
  • Great Scholarship
  • India Chevening/ UCL scholarship
  • IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarship

Eligibility

The general entry requirements for Indian students are

  • The Year 12/Standard 12 Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE or CBSE with five subjects at 90, 85, 85, 85, 85 or Successful completion of one year of a Bachelor Degree at an Indian university recognised by UCL, with an average grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class.
  • For admissions to a master’s course, you must have completed a 3- 5 year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a UCL recognised university. The minimum grade requirement ranges from 6.75 – 9.0 on a scale of 10 or equivalent.
  • English-language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test)

Courses offered & admission process

You can access the entire list of courses, ranging from Ancient History to Viking and Old Norse Studies  here.  

The admission process involves

  • Choosing a course
  • Checking academic requirements
  • Getting academic transcripts ready
  • Submitting application
  • Gaining access to Portico, the UCL applicant portal
  • Submitting additional documents based on requirements
  • Receiving an offer of admission
  • Accepting offer

5. University of Edinburgh


Source: University of Edinburgh

Established in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities. This university was one of the cultural and philosophical centres around which the Scottish Enlightenment thrived during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Some of its notable alumni include Alexander Graham Bell, James Clerk Maxwell, Charles Darwin, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. Today, the university continues to be a member of the Russell Group, Coimbra Group and the League of European Research Universities.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 5th in the UK and 22nd in the world by QS Rankings
  • Stands 4th in the UK according to the results of Research Excellence Framework 2021
  • It is Scotland’s first fair trade university.
  • Edinburgh’s graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers (Source: QS Rankings)
  • Innovative teaching methodologies and a wide array of courses to choose from.
  • Many partner institutions across the globe, increasing your networking opportunities

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee ranges from £25,000 to £46,500, with medicine being one of the most expensive courses.

Some scholarships options include

  • The Charles Wallace India Trust
  • Great Scholarships
  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
  • UKIERI Doctoral Scholarship

Eligibility

  • GCE A levels / IB / CISCE / CBSE / Higher Secondary Grade XII
  • UCAT is necessary if applying for Medicine
  • A relevant undergraduate degree with 60% or more fir master’s application
  • Proof of English language proficiency

Courses offered & admission process

Here is the list of all the courses offered by the university. The admission process is as follows:

  • Exploring courses
  • Click on the “Apply” button once you select a course
  • Checking application status
  • Receiving decision
  • Submitting supporting documents

6. University of Manchester


Source: UoM

Although officially established in 2004, the University of Manchester has a history going back to the civic university movement of the nineteenth century. One of the top places to study in Manchester, this red brick university was formed on the merger of University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and Victoria University of Manchester. Its origins however can be traced back to the Mechanics’ Institute that was set up in 1824.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 6th in the UK and 32nd in the world.
  • It is the third largest university in the UK by total enrolment
  • It is a member of the Russell Group, N8 group and Universities Research Association
  • Renowned for its massive libraries, archaic and modern buildings
  • Global recognition and diversity on campus

Fees & Scholarship options

The annual tuition fee typically ranges from £20,000 to £48,000, depending on the course.

The University of Manchester has allocated over £2.9 million as scholarship funds for international students. Some of the scholarships to consider are

  • Global Futures Scholarship
  • The Manchester Science and Engineering International Excellence scholarships
  • British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

Eligibility

  • To gain admission at the undergraduate level, you must have completed your A levels / CBSE / ISC Standard XII with a score of 80 – 95%. Students scoring lower than that will be considered for the foundation programme.
  • For the postgraduate taught courses, you must have completed a minimum of a three-year degree in first class from a recognised university.
  • The accepted English language tests are IELTS / Pearson (PTE) / Cambridge Advanced / TOEFL iBT / Trinity College London Integrated Skills ISE. The minimum scores required changes depending on the course.

Courses offered & admission process

The university has a long list of courses ranging from Accounting to Zoology. You can access the entire list here. The admission process is standard. You select your course, apply through UCAS, if it is an undergraduate programme or the university website. You complete the application and submit it along with the necessary documents. You can track your application online and see if you have been shortlisted for an interview.


7. King’s College


Source: King’s College

A public university located in London, King’s College was established in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV. With 5 campuses across the city of London, King’s college has built a reputation for itself in humanities, law, healthcare and international affairs.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 7th in the UK and 40th in the world
  • 84% of its research is deemed internationally viable and excellent by REF
  • A global network of over 194,000 alumni
  • Access to over 150 partner institutions

Fees & Scholarship options

The average undergraduate tuition fee at King’s College London is between £30,000 – £35,000 a year. The average graduate tuition fee at King’s College London is between £18,000 – £35,000 a year. King’s College offers up to $25,000 merit-based scholarships for international undergraduate degree-seeking students. The scholarships are renewable for all four years of study based on satisfactory academic performance and full-time enrollment. Students will be automatically considered for the scholarship. No additional application is required.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for admission at King’s College London include

  • A-level grades for undergraduate courses or equivalent for bachelor’s degree applications
  • A valid bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required for a master’s application. The minimum GPA varies with each course.
  • English-language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
  • Take the exact test specified for each program
  • Some programs require applicants to have studied a specific set of subjects including mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc

Courses offered & admission process

You can access the entire A-Z list of courses here.

The admission process is as follows:

  • Search for the available courses
  • Applications for graduate courses can be made through the institution’s website while undergraduate applicants can apply through UCAS.
  • Track applications
  • Check if you’ve been invited to interview
  • Apply for accommodation

8. London School of Economics


Source: LSE

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a renowned public research university located in London, England. Dedicated solely to the study and research of the social sciences, LSE offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs for students from all over the world.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 3rd in Social Sciences and Management, 6th in Economics and Econometrics, and 45th worldwide. (Source: QS Rankings).
  • Built on the founding principle of betterment of society
  • Community / Society-oriented research
  • About 70% of the students are from outside the UK, giving you a diverse, competitive peer network

Fees & Scholarship options

Undergraduate degree (B.A./ B.Sc/ LLB): £26,184 – £28,176
Taught Master’s Programs (one-year master’s degrees): £25,920 – £44,928

Scholarship options include

  • LSE Undergraduate Support Scheme
  • Uggla Family Scholars Programme
  • JN Tata Endowment Scholarship:
  • Lady Meherbai Tata Education Trust
  • Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

Eligibility

  • IB/ ISC/ CBSE with an average score of 90 – 95%
  • LNAT is compulsory for those applying to the law programme
  • You might be asked ​to sit for the Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA) as part of your application
  • IELTS score of 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component in one exam sitting only or a TOEFL score of 100 overall, with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 25 in Reading, 24 in Listening, and 24 in Speaking
  • Recognised undergraduate degree with a CGPA of 8.5/10 for postgraduate applications
  • GRE/ GMAT scores if required

Courses offered & admission process

There are over 40 undergraduate courses and over 130 taught master’s courses at LSE. Some of the more popular courses include

  • Executive Global MSc Management
  • MSc in Global Media and Communications (with USC, Fudan or UCT)
  • MSc in Marketing
  • MSc in Applied Social Data Science
  • BSc Mathematics with Economics
  • BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics

The admission process involves several steps including,

  • The undergraduate application must be submitted through UCAS.
  • Then you submit all necessary documents.
  • Your applications are considered by Academic Selectors.
  • You can track applications online
  • Then you accept the offer, if made
  • Then, make the payment

9. University of Bristol


Source: University of Bristol

A member of the Russell Group of research intensive institutions, the University of Bristol is one of the top universities in the UK. Even though it received its royal charter in 1909, the history of the university can be traced all the way back to the Merchant Venturers’ school founded in 1595. Composed of 6 academic faculties, the University of Bristol is one of the high ranking universities among students and recruiters.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 9th in the UK and 55th in the world, according to QS World University rankings
  • You have the choice of over 600 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to choose from.
  • About 25% of the students at this university are international.
  • The courses are designed around innovative research
  • It is ranked 7th in the UK for graduate employability rankings, making its graduates extremely sought after.

Fees & Scholarship options

The full-time undergraduate and postgraduate fees range approximately from £12,700 to £40,000. The part time course fees range between £10,550 and £13,000.

Here are some of the scholarship options:

  • Think Big undergraduate awards
  • Global Economics undergraduate scholarships
  • Global Accounting and Finance undergraduate scholarships
  • School of Policy Studies international undergraduate scholarships
  • Think Big bursaries for sciences
  • Bristol-MABECS Think Big Scholarship
  • GREAT India scholarships
  • Phyllis Mary Morris bursaries

Eligibility

  • Equivalent to AAB at A level exams is the minimum requirement. That translates to about 80-90% in the CBSE/ ISC Grade XII exams.
  • CBSE or CISCE English at 70-80% or above can be accepted in lieu of another English test such as IELTS.
  • Or you can still take the IELTS Academic test.
  • For postgraduate applicants the minimum requirement for entry is an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree that is equivalent to a UK upper second-class degree (also known as a 2:1).
  • Proof of research experience is required if you are applying for a research course at the master’s level.

Courses offered & admission process

The university offers over 600 courses at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. They are offered under the six academic schools which in turn house the relevant departments. They are

  • School of Arts
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Life Sciences
  • School of Science
  • School of Social Sciences and Law.

The application procedure is standard wherein the bachelor’s degree applications go through UCAS while postgraduate applications go directly through the university website.


10. University of Warwick


Source: University of Warwick

Located on the outskirts of Coventry, between West Midlands and Warwickshire, the University of Warwick was founded in 1965 as a UK government initiative to expand higher education beyond London. The university is primarily divided into three schools – Arts; Science, Engineering and Medicine; and Social Sciences – under which there are 32 departments. Around 30,000 students study there every year., out of which around one-third are international students.

Why is it  good to study here?

  • Ranked 10th in the UK and 67th in the world.
  • Renowned for its teaching, research and business collaborations
  • Its academic affiliations include AACSB,ACU, AMBA, EQUIS, European University Association, Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, Midlands Innovation, Russell Group, Sutton 13 and Universities UK

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee ranges from £23,390 – £47,580 with medicine being one of the most expensive programmes. Here are some of the scholarship options to consider.

  • Global Excellence Scholarships
  • Excellence in STEM scholarships
  • AHRC Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership
  • Albukhary Undergraduate Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships

Eligibility

  • For bachelor’s admission, you must have completed the GCSE A levels or its equivalent which is Class XII from CBSE or ICSE.
  • For master’s you  must have completed a bachelor’s or a minimum three-year degree with first class from a reputable university (first class or upper Second only, with a minimum 60-80% depending on the institution)
  • Specific programme requirements
  • English proficiency tests

Courses offered & admission process

You can access the entire list of courses here. The admission process is as follows:

  • Browse A-Z list of taught courses
  • Check requirements
  • Prepare application
  • Submit the application from the course page/ UCAS
  • Submit references and documents
  • Track applications through the application portal
  • Wait for decision

Other Universities to consider

If you are looking past the top 10, here are some other universities to consider

  • University of Leeds
  • Leeds Beckett University
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Plymouth
  • Brunel University (Uxbridge and London)
  • Coventry University
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Leicester
  • University of Liverpool
  • Newcastle University
  • University of Southampton
  • University of Cumbria
  • University of Westminster
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of Bolton
  • Teesside University

How to increase the odds of getting into UK public universities?


Here are some tips to increase your chances of getting into a public university in the UK.

1. Plan well in advance

Becoming an international student cannot be a last minute decision. There are many admissions criteria that cannot be met at the last moment. If you are aiming at the top public universities, then you should be boosting your academics a couple of years beforehand. You should also give yourself enough time to build sufficient work or research experience, should your course demand for it.

2. Research extensively

Be it courses or scholarships, research extensively. The level of options these universities offer is immense. So, take your time to pick the right kind of courses, electives, campuses, colleges, anything that will make your life abroad more meaningful.

When looking for scholarship options, remember to deep dive into four key sources:

  • Scholarships from destination country
  • Scholarships from home country
  • University scholarships
  • External funding organisations

Maintain an organised directory of the courses and scholarships that you are eligible for, the additional criteria that you need to satisfy and the commitments required out of you on receiving the funding. Ensure you have looked into each sliver of opportunity that will benefit your life as an international student.

3. Boost your extracurriculars

We live in a world where academics alone has become insufficient. Universities look for well-rounded individuals who show initiative and leadership skills. Give yourself enough time to first learn these skills and then to demonstrate them. Any volunteering, commitment to community, your school or your previous work place can play a key role in your application. These are the things that help you stand out as an individual, more than your scores.

4. Invest time in preparation

Be it the entrance tests or your statement of purpose, give yourself enough time to prepare. Attempt the practice tests, go through at least a couple of drafts of your SOP and get it proofread by another set of eyes so that you are confident when you actually submit your application. The last thing you want is a mad rush as the clock is ticking towards the deadline.

5. Talk to an expert

Lastly, but most importantly, talk to an expert. The entire process of finding the right course, the university, preparing your documents, filling up the application and submitting it in time can get overwhelming. The easiest way to reduce your stress is to sign up with TC Global. Having served a student community of over 2.5 million, our Relationship Members have the knowledge and the experience to help you find the ideal course.

Simply set up a visit Calendly.com/tcglobal to pick a Relationships Team closest to you and choose a slot to meet with a Relationship Member.

Let’s shape your future together.

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Date added
30.01.2024

Filed under:

Global Ed

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