Studying in UK is like a dream come true. The country is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities and institutions in the world, has a rich historical background, a diverse cultural environment, known for its high standard of living, top tourist destinations and more. But these are not the only reasons why more than 600,000 international students visited the UK in 2021-22. For starters, studying in UK offers access to quality education from top institutes and their dedicated faculty, access to top research facilities, better career and employment opportunities and more. Today, we will discuss the top 5 universities and student accommodation UK.
Top 5 Universities in the UK
The top 5 universities in the UK are; the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College of London, University College London (UCL), and the University of Edinburgh. These are prestigious universities, ranked by organizations like QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education and Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. Let’s learn all about these premium institutions.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public collegiate research university. This premium institute was established in 1209 and is the world’s third oldest university. According to the QS World University QS Rankings, the University of Cambridge is ranked #2 and #1 in British Ranking. Its notable alumni are Nobel Prize winners, Olympic medalists, and leaders of global institutions. At Cambridge, the acceptance rate is only 21%, making the admission process challenging for students.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford has secured the second spot on the list of top 5 universities in the UK. Its acceptance rate is only 17.5%, making the admission process more difficult than Cambridge. This British university known for its world-class research and educational facilities in fields like Biomedical, Engineering, Fine Arts, Modern Language, and more. It is ranked #3 under the QS World University Ranking 2025 list and #2 in the British Ranking.
Imperial College of London
Imperial College of London is the third British institute listed in the top 10 QS-ranked universities. What makes Imperial College so special is that it entirely focuses on science, engineering, business and medicine. It offers a wide range of scholarships based on merit and need, some of which cover 100% of academic expenses. Some of the most popular courses at Imperial College of London are Aerospace Engineering, Earth & Marine Sciences, Life Sciences and more. Its notable alumni are Henry Edward Armstrong, Henry Tizard, Rajiv Gandhi, and more.
University College London (UCL)
University College London (UCL) a top university in the UK and has been honoured with the University of Year 2024 award by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. This reputable college offers more than 400 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate courses to students from over 150 countries. Its notable alumni are Christopher Nolan, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Alexander Graham Bell, and more. At UCl, the acceptance rate is 32.72% only.
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is globally known because of its quality education, research facilities, notable processors and trained staff, supportive student community and vibrant environment. In the 2022-23 academic year, the University of Edinburgh enrolled more than 49,000 students in 500+ undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Its notable alumni are Charles Darwin, Gordan Brown, Alan Jope, Andy MacMillan, etc.
Top 20 Student Living in UK
There are thousands of student accommodations in the UK which have a total market cap of over $8 billion. These student accommodations are built to offer basic living services to students coming from distant countries or cities. As of 2023, there are 347,680 university-maintained properties and 200,895 private student accommodations in London alone. The table below highlights the top 20 student accommodation in the UK.
| Scape Mile End Canalside London | Vita Student Lewisham Exchange London |
| King’s Cross Residence London | iQ Shoreditch |
| The Cam Foundry, Cambridge | Student Castle Cambridge |
| iQ Alice House Oxford | Student Castle Oxford |
| Mary Sturge Residence Birmingham | Chamberlain Place Birmingham |
| Vita Student Pebble Mill Birmingham | 17 Parsonage Roade Manchester |
| Moss Court Manchester | Opal Court Leicester |
| Vita Student Copper Towers Coventry | LIV Student Sheffield |
| Hazelwood Student Village Dublin | Windsor House Cardiff |
| Boyce House Residence Glasgow | Trinity Square Nottingham |
Conclusion
What makes a university great is its high-quality faculty, innovative curriculum and research facilities, student support services, medical and physical well-being and strong alumni network. The top 5 universities in the UK listed above possess all these qualities and are welcoming students from across the globe.
