Universities in The United Kingdom

Universities in the United Kingdom award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and set their own courses, entry requirements and fees. Teaching is in English, and the higher education sector is the main reason international students come to the UK: Home Office statistics show 383,455 sponsored study visas granted in the year ending June 2026, and around 9 in 10 sponsored study visa applications are for higher education, such as universities.

The sector ranges from very old institutions to specialist and newer ones. The University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495, describes itself as the UK's fifth university. Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university in technology and management, and Arden University offers online and blended learning across UK study centres. London has by far the most universities in this directory, from the University of Westminster and SOAS University of London to London South Bank University and private institutions such as Regent's University London and Richmond American University London; Manchester and Leeds follow.

Degrees and how they are organised

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, university qualifications are grouped by level:

• Levels 4 and 5: certificates and diplomas of higher education, foundation degrees and the higher national diploma (HND)
• Level 6: bachelor's degrees with honours, such as the BA or BSc
• Level 7: master's degrees such as the MA or MSc, integrated master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas
• Level 8: doctorates, such as the PhD or DPhil

Scotland has its own framework, and its degrees are longer: according to the University of Aberdeen, most undergraduate degree programmes in Scotland consist of four years of study, and highly qualified applicants can sometimes join in the second year through Advanced Entry. Some universities also offer a foundation year, added to the start of an undergraduate course, for students who need extra preparation.

Admission for international students

Applications for full-time undergraduate courses go through UCAS, the central admissions service, with up to five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date is 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, and 13 January 2027 for most other undergraduate courses; the final date for 2027 entry applications is 23 September 2027. Many universities keep accepting international applicants until later in the year.

Entry requirements are often written as UK qualifications such as A levels, but you can use equivalent qualifications from your own country. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, can issue a statement on how a foreign qualification compares with UK equivalents. For the Student visa, degree-level study requires English at the equivalent of CEFR level B2, and the university can assess your level itself.

Student visa

Since 2021, EU students follow the same rules as other international students, and a degree course requires a Student visa. You need an offer from a licensed student sponsor and enough money for your course fees and living costs: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months. The visa costs £558 from outside the UK, plus the immigration health surcharge of £776 a year. During term, students at degree level can usually work up to 20 hours a week. After graduating, the Graduate route allows eligible students to stay and work: for 18 months if they apply on or after 1 January 2027 (two years for applications made by 31 December 2026), or three years after a PhD.

Tuition fees and funding

Each university sets its own tuition fee, and international students pay the international rate shown on the course page. Fees for home students in England are capped: the Tuition Fee Loan for a full-time student is up to £9,790 in 2026-27. In Scotland, the University of Aberdeen charges students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland £9,790 a year for 2026/2027 entry. International applicants to Aberdeen who need a CAS must pay a tuition fee deposit when they receive an offer.

How to choose a university in the UK

• Nation and degree length: a four-year degree in Scotland or a shorter programme elsewhere in the UK
• Type of institution: a large research university, a specialist or postgraduate institution, or a private university
• Study mode: full-time on campus, or blended and online study
• Course content: modules, placements, a year abroad and professional accreditation for regulated careers
• Location and cost: London living costs are higher, as the visa funds requirement shows

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply to a UK university from abroad?

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS, with up to five choices. For 2027 entry, the main equal consideration date is 13 January 2027, or 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses.

How long is a bachelor's degree in the UK?

It depends on the nation. In Scotland, most undergraduate degree programmes take four years. Check the length on each course page, as it also depends on placements and integrated master's programmes.

Do I need IELTS to study at a UK university?

For a Student visa at degree level you need English at CEFR level B2. Universities can assess your English themselves, so check which tests or qualifications your university accepts.

Can I work after graduating from a UK university?

Yes. The Graduate route lets eligible graduates stay and work, or look for work, for 18 months if they apply on or after 1 January 2027, or three years after a PhD.