Public Universities in UK: List of 25+ Best Public Universities in UK

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Public Universities in UK

Public universities in the UK offer a great opportunity for students to pursue higher education at an affordable cost. These universities are funded by the government and provide a wide range of courses across various fields, including arts, sciences, business, and engineering. With a strong academic reputation, excellent education system, and diverse student community, public universities in the UK attract students worldwide. If you’re considering studying in the UK, these institutions could be an excellent option to explore! Let’s take a look at the __ best public universities in UK for international students.

What are Public Universities?

There are two types of universities in the UK- Public and Private. While private universities are funded and regulated by private organizations, public universities in the UK are funded by the UK government. Public universities in the UK are funded by a direct financing council of the government but act as independent bodies.

They are regulated, checked, and ranked by the Office for Students in England. The Office for Students has designed a Teaching Excellence Framework, criteria, based on which they rank public universities in terms of their education and faculty expertise.

Best Public Universities in the UK for International Students

As of 2023, the UK remains a top destination for international students, with over 432,000 sponsored study visas granted in the year ending June 2024 (source: GOV.UK). However, recent policy changes, such as restrictions on dependents accompanying students, have impacted these numbers. Despite these challenges, UK public universities continue to offer diverse programs and cultural experiences, making them attractive to students worldwide. Here is a list of the best public universities in the UK for international students in 2025:

S.NoList of Public Universities in UKQS Ranking 2025
1University of Oxford3
2University of Cambridge5
3Imperial College London2
4London School of Economics50
5University College LondonNA
6University of Edinburgh27
7University of Manchester34
8University of Warwick69
9King’s College London40
10University of Bristol54
11University of London
12University of Birmingham80
13University of Staffordshire911-920
14Newcastle University129
15University of ExeterNA
16University of Bath150
17University of Leicester285
18University of Surrey285
19University of Leeds82
20University of Aberdeen236
21London Metropolitan University1001 – 1200
22Queen Mary University of London120
23University of St Andrews104
24University of Kent380
25Lancaster University141
26Loughborough University224
Best Public Universities in the UK

7+ Best Public Universities in UK

In this section, you will read detailed information regarding the best public universities in UK for international students.

Oxford University  

Oxford University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Oxford acceptance rate of 17.5% which means out of every 100 applicants almost 18 students get accepted. One of the oldest universities in the world, Oxford has 38 colleges and 70 research departments. Indira Gandhi, Bill Clinton, and Boris Johnson are just a few of the illustrious alumni of Oxford University.

Cambridge University

The one right behind Oxford is Cambridge University. Standing tall among the top 5 universities in the world, Cambridge is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 21.5%. 121 Nobel Laureates, 194 Olympic winners, and 14 British prime ministers have graced the corridors of this University and are today a part of the Cambridge alumni network. Cambridge offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees across its 31 colleges with over 150 departments.

Fun Fact: A group of scholars left Oxford University after a dispute with the locals and formed Cambridge University.

University College London

University College London or UCL is one of the best public universities in London. UCL claims that it is the first university in England to admit women to their university. 195 years old, Mahatma Gandhi and Alexander Graham Bell (founder of the telephone) are the personalities who once studied at UCL. 43% of the research happening at UCL is declared world-leading by the Research Excellence Framework.

Edinburgh University

Situated in the capital city of Edinburgh, Scotland, the University of Edinburgh is a public university with links with the royal family. Members of the royal family have acted as chancellors of this university which has an acceptance rate of 40-50% of the applicants. Bill Gates, Malala Yosufzai and APJ Abdul Kalam are some of the honorary alumni of Edinburgh University.

Manchester University 

Manchester University is one of the top 10 public universities in the UK. This University ranks 43rd on the QS World Universities Ranking 2025 league table. They have more than 16,000 international students and offer over 1000 degrees at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Manchester University ranks at the top amongst the universities in Manchester. Chaim Weizmann, a senior professor at Manchester University was the first prime minister of Israel.

King’s College London 

The next option in one of the best public universities in London is King’s College London. It is one of the leading public universities in the UK with strength in research. Their programs in law, humanities, and medical sciences are excellent with utmost importance given to skill development. King’s is home to 6 medical research council centres making it the largest European centre for biomedical research. Pioneers of DNA structure, IVF treatment, and Hepatitis C are proud alumni of KCL.

London School of Economics and Political Science

London School of Economics and Political Science is a public university and a lead constituent college of the University of London. They offer courses primarily in economics, business, management, humanities, commerce, policymaking, politics, and maths. Its student body represents 150 nationalists and about 100 languages are spoken on campus. LSE has produced 18 Nobel Laureates in the field of economics, peace, and literature.

Imperial College London 

Imperial College London is one of the most prestigious public universities in the UK. The university offers courses in the fields of medicine, science, technology, and business. More than 59% of the students come from 140 countries outside of the UK. 91% of the research conducted here is found to be world-leading with fiber optics, penicillin, and holography developed on the ICL campus. Biology degrees at Imperial College have a 1:1 gender ratio.

Warwick University 

A top public university in Coventry is the University of Warwick. Out of every 7 students that apply for Warwick, 1 gets accepted. Warwick is a primary research university offering degrees in medicine, engineering, science, arts, and social sciences. Warwick University provides a double degree option and allows students to exchange with Columbia University, McGill University, etc.

Fun Fact: Stephen Merchant, co-creator and writer of The Office (British) is an alumnus of Warwick University.

Public Universities in UK with Low Tuition Fees

Studying in the UK can be an affordable option for international students, especially at public universities with lower tuition fees. Here are some public universities in UK with low tuition fees:

Public Universities in UK without IELTS

If you haven’t taken the IELTS exam or feel unsure about it, don’t worry! There are several public universities in the UK that don’t require IELTS for admission such as:

Public Universities in London

London is a top choice for international students, offering diverse programs and cultural experiences. In the year ending September 2023, the UK issued 486,107 study visas, with 133,237 granted to Indian nationals, 108,978 to Chinese nationals, and 51,071 to Nigerian nationals (source: GOV.UK). Here are the best public universities in London for you to explore:

Here are some of the most popular course options among international students to study in UK:

  • Economics
  • Law
  • Business Management and Studies
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Psychology
  • Architecture
  • Computer Science
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Public Policy
  • South Asian Studies

Why Study in a Public University in the UK?

Public universities have an edge over private universities in a lot of key areas.

  • Public universities are generally more spacious while private universities might not be strong on the infrastructure.
  • Private universities offer more pedagogical knowledge for the wholesome growth of a student whereas public universities lack a little bit.
  • A degree from a public university in the UK will get you more job opportunities than private ones because of the years of reputation they hold.
  • Since public universities in the UK are more or less funded by the government, the tuition fee for the best courses in the UK taught in public universities is lower than for private universities.
Everything You Need to Know About Studying in the UK | UK Study Guide | Leverage Edu

Eligibility Requirements to Study in UK

UK is a country where many Indians apply but only a certain percentage of them get accepted. One of the main reasons for such low acceptance from India can be the eligibility requirement. The Indian education system is different from that of the UK. We advise all study abroad aspirants to check the following terms to know whether they are eligible candidates or not:-

  • Grade: For undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK, you are required to have a minimum cutoff grade in your 12th or your bachelor’s degree.
  • Entrance exams: For postgraduate courses in the UK, universities require a minimum score in GMAT, GRE or university-specific entrance exams.
  • Proof of English proficiency: Since India is a non-English speaking country, an IELTS or TOEFL test is mandatory to affirm the spoken and written English ability of the students.
  • Financial Soundness: You are required to be financially sound to pay your tuition fee and that is why you need to submit your bank statements.
  • Statement of Purpose: Why do you want to study in the UK and why choose a particular public university? All of this comes under your SOP of 700-800 words.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Letters from past academic teachers or employers verifying your potential and talent are a must.
  • Resume: A resume listing all your academic, co-curricular and other achievements and qualifications is very important.

If you prepare these aspects of your college application properly, it automatically increases your chances of getting accepted by a UK University.

How to Apply to UK Universities

Applications for all UK Universities now happen through the UCAS portal. The Universities and College Admission Services is a platform that eases admissions by bringing all universities under one roof. To start your application for courses in public universities in UK, have a look at our step-by-step guide:-

  • Register with the UCAS portal and fill in the applications for your preferred course and public university.
  • Pay an application fee of £25 for multiple applications and attach all the documents required.
  • Submit your application and wait for 6 to 8 weeks to hear from your university.
  • If accepted, the public university will provide you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) letter which is very important for a UK Visa application.
  • Apply for the UK Tier 4 visa.

Some public universities in the UK might ask you to appear for a virtual interview as a part of their screening process.

UK Admission Process

Cost of Living in UK 

The cost of living in the UK depends upon the city your public university is located in. For example, study in London will be more expensive than studying in Bristol. Although the tuition fee at public universities is lower than private, it is a lot more than top universities in India. Here’s the average cost of living in the UK while studying at public universities:-

Types of CostAverage Cost (INR)
Tuition FeeGBP 8000- GBP 30000
AccommodationGBP 350-550 per month
IELTS/TOEFL14k/16k
UCAS Application fee2,500 for multiple courses
FoodGBP 150 – GBP 200 monthly
TravelGBP 40 per month
Utilities₹15k per month
UK Tier 4 visaGBP 1015 per month as proof of sufficient funds
Cost of Living in the UK | Monthly Expenses in UK as an International Student | Leverage Edu

UK Scholarships for International Students

The UK offers a variety of scholarships to help international students pursue their higher education. Here are some of the most popular UK scholarships for international students:

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public universities in uk

FAQs

Q.1. Are public universities in UK cheaper than private ones? Are public universities in the UK free?

Ans: No, but the tuition fees for home students and international students are different.

Q.2. How many public universities are there in UK?

Ans: The UK has around 130 public universities in UK.

Q.3. Who regulates the public universities in UK?

Ans: The Office for Students is a government body regulating public universities in the UK.

Q.4. Is Oxford a public university?

Ans: Yes, Oxford University is a public research university in the UK.

Q.5. Are public universities in the UK better than private universities?

Ans: 4 out of the top 10 universities in the world are public universities in the UK which means public universities in the UK are better than private universities.

Q.6. Which is the cheapest public university in UK?

Ans: Staffordshire University with an average tuition fee of 10,500 GBP is the cheapest public university in UK.

Q.7. Which is the best public school in UK?

Ans: Benenden School in Cranbrook is the best public school in UK.

Q.8. Are public universities in UK cheaper than private ones?

Ans: Yes, public universities are generally cheaper than private universities.

Q.9. What are the best public universities in London?

Ans: Some of the popular public universities in London are:
Brunel University, London
City, University of London
Goldsmith’s College, University of London
King’s College London
Kingston University, London
London School of Economics and Political Science
Middlesex University, London
Queen Mary University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London

This blog was all about the best public universities in UK. Are you ready to take the next step toward studying at a top public university in the UK? Leverage Edu can help you. From connecting you with study abroad experts to guiding you through the entire application process, we ensure a smooth and successful journey. Get personalized support, expert advice, and access to the best scholarship opportunities. Reach out today and let us make your study abroad experience a reality!

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