Prestigious English universities. The most famous universities in Great Britain

England's universities have centuries-old traditions and are among the most prestigious in the world. Check out the list and descriptions of the most popular universities in the UK and choose the one that suits you in all respects.

Getting one can seriously impact your ability to find a good job and advance faster in your career. Traditions are respected in this country and, not least, they relate to education. It is not for nothing that English higher education institutions are among the best, according to various experts. You can see a lot of foreigners here, their number exceeds 65 thousand people. Restrictions are related to age, which must be at least 18 years old. Of course, you need to finish school in your home country.

Requirements and features of training

Since in England, completion of secondary education requires completion of 13 years, a foreign applicant will not need a matriculation certificate, but will need to pass the A-levels exam. This can be done at one of the international colleges or private schools, completing a two-year pre-university training

You can also take preparatory courses in advance that will help you enter an English institute. There is an opportunity to transfer to study after the first or second year of a domestic university. You will have to demonstrate excellent knowledge of the English language and pass the exam.

The first three to four years will be needed to complete your bachelor's degree. This makes it possible to have a first academic degree and become a bachelor of law, humanities, technology, pedagogy, as well as medicine and music.

Many universities pay great attention not only to studies and a well-organized and comfortable life, but also to the opportunity for students to learn English more deeply.

An important advantage is that every foreign student will be able to choose a program that will meet their own capabilities and needs. Of course, this does not cancel the mandatory course. But if you can get general information at lectures, then at seminars you have the opportunity to study almost individually with a teacher, since classes are usually held in small groups.

Some orthodoxy did not prevent us from building it in such a way that everyone could more fully reveal their abilities and learn to independently solve various problems and find solutions.

After a bachelor's degree, you can move on to the second stage and obtain a master's degree. This will not only improve your professional level, but also actively engage in research work. Therefore, it is important to choose a university that has a good laboratory and library collections. True, it should be noted that many famous scientists work at universities and, in addition to their own research, help young graduate students write their dissertations.

Rules and fees

It is important to know a few rules that will help you enter an English university faster and more successfully.

You need to pay attention to the English language. The Foundation program will help fill gaps and raise the level of knowledge.

After choosing a specialty, you need to study the university rankings and choose two universities that are most suitable. Those in the top ten have more stringent, special requirements.

The collected documents and application must be sent in advance. Admission and consideration runs from September 1 to October 15. You will have to come to Oxford and Cambridge and submit documents directly to the admissions committee.

In England, UCAS is the College and Universities Admissions Service, so admissions are processed through this service.

It is imperative to send the exam results, since only then there is a real chance to begin your studies at the university.

For foreign students, tuition fees may vary, since EU citizens receive certain discounts and some benefits. In addition, after receiving a diploma in this country, you can even work for two years in your specialty.

To obtain a bachelor's degree in England you will have to spend three whole years, in Scotland - even four. However, no one bothers you to simultaneously undergo an internship and earn extra money. This combination of study and work is a very common phenomenon in England.

Those who have chosen some areas of medicine or architecture will have to study until the age of seven. But it only takes two years to become a master.

The cost of education is also influenced by the prestige of the university and the rating of the specialty. On average, the price ranges from 10 to 12 thousand pounds per year. True, medical specialties can cost 20-22 thousand pounds.

But no matter where the training takes place, all that can be said is that the money was well spent.

British universities have been leading international rankings for decades, which has become, to some extent, a tradition. Looking through the TOP of the best foreign educational institutions, no one is surprised that even in the top ten there are always 3–4 English universities. Accordingly, studying in the UK is one of the most desirable types of education.

As for its accessibility, apart from the rather high cost of both studying and living in the country, there are no special obstacles. Of course, a Ukrainian will have to make some efforts for English universities to consider him a worthy applicant, but for the sake of a prestigious education it is worth fighting.

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITIES IN THE UK

Let's start with the fact that both the principles of education and the universities themselves in England have a number of features. Private universities in the UK do not take part in the “race for leadership”, i.e. are not included in the ratings. Therefore, it will be quite difficult for a Ukrainian to determine how prestigious a particular educational institution is.

In the case of colleges, academies, institutes and higher schools, they award a degree or issue a diploma on behalf of the university that provided them with their programs. Often it is also where the bachelor's or master's thesis is completed. Without the patronage of any powerful British university, the college has the right only to prepare for admission or provide vocational education. The exceptions are University College London, Imperial College London and several other similar institutions that are already universities in England, but have retained their autochthonous names.

Since it doesn’t make sense to go to the United Kingdom to get a regular specialty, let’s consider the requirements that English universities impose on applicants:

• complete secondary education;
• documentary evidence of English language proficiency;
• diploma of completion of a special training program.

A regular school for admission to UK universities is not enough not only for Ukrainians or foreign students, but also for local applicants. Without providing a document confirming completion of the International Baccalaureate, Foundation, A-Level course, the state university will not consider the application. The duration of training in such programs ranges from 1-3 years.

ADMISSION PROCESS TO BRITISH UNIVERSITIES (HOW TO APPLY)

Accustomed to considering themselves the most prestigious and elite, universities in the UK put a lot of effort into maintaining their status. If we take Oxford or Cambridge, for example, they are no longer as interested in the rich as they are in talented students. In addition, their emissaries scour the world in search of talented youth, so Ukrainians should not miss various Olympiads or competitions. And the University of London opens branches or offers its programs to educational institutions in all parts of the world, organizes various events in order to identify talents.

Therefore, in order for a Ukrainian to enter or interest universities in England, there are small tricks:

• collect all your certificates, diplomas, etc., starting from kindergarten, translate into English and try to legalize, then send with a package of documents;
• Confirm your sporting successes in any way;
• take as many varied or specialized courses as possible and submit your diplomas or certificates;
• Learn classic English perfectly and don’t use “Americanisms.”

In any case, your zeal and diligence will add advantages to you compared to other foreign students.

The process of admission to British universities consists of the following steps:

• fill out an application;
• send a translation of the certificate with grades;
• send a copy of the IELTS certificate (from 6.5) or another exam;
• provide a diploma of completion of the training program;
• write a motivation letter;
• add letters of recommendation (2 are enough) from teachers or superiors at your place of work;
• Having received an invitation from the university, you begin to apply for a student visa.

Please note that to enroll in the International Baccalaureate, Foundation or A-Level, without completion of which admission to the university will not take place, you must pass exams in general subjects.

UNIVERSITIES IN ENGLAND: STUDY PROGRAMS

Unlike many countries, in UK universities the duration of study is clearly limited. Here they don’t give you the opportunity to study for a bachelor’s degree for a few extra years, but simply expel you.

The scheme of training programs is standard:

• Bachelor's degree - 3 years and no more, since the basics were obtained in preparatory courses;
• Master's degree – 1 year. Involves studying an additional direction in the main specialty (Taught) or switching to research work (Research);
• PhD – 4-5 years. Includes a three-year course of study and no more than 2 years to write a dissertation.

RANKING OF UK UNIVERSITIES

In the constant confrontation between Cambridge and Oxford, for the second year in a row, both in England and in the world, the University of Cambridge wins.

Having opened in 1209, it immediately became one of the strongest universities, equally achieving success in both the humanities and the natural sciences. This situation has persisted to this day, but given the absolutely revolutionary developments in the field of exact and natural sciences, the huge number of start-ups and achievements in the field of innovative technologies, he still gravitates more toward these areas.

The second was the oldest university in the English-speaking world - Oxford. Remembering the incredible number of its graduates - political figures, you understand that it is deservedly considered the best in the field of diplomacy, political science, sociology and the humanities, although the natural sciences are also strong.

Third is University College London (UCL), in fact the most international university in England, judging by the number of foreign students. In relation to all educational institutions in London, it has the highest rating.

The top five includes King's College London, which opened the first nursing school on the planet. Traditionally strong in the field of medical sciences.

In the same fifth place is the representative of Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, famous not only for its fundamental research in all fields of science, but also for its “venerable” age, since it was founded in 1582.

Traditional European higher education includes bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In English universities, there are five undergraduate degrees: BA - Bachelor of Arts, BSc - Natural Sciences, EEng - Bachelor of Engineering, LLB - Bachelor of Laws and BM - Bachelor of Medicine. A bachelor's degree, which usually takes 3-3.5 years to obtain (in medicine up to 7 years), is a completed higher education that gives you the opportunity to start working.

A master's degree implies a deeper mastery of a specialty, in addition to the higher education already received. There are about a hundred master's programs in UK universities, which are divided into two main types - research and teaching. A master's degree, which usually takes 1 to 2 years to complete, allows you to improve your professional level and begin a scientific career.

Admission conditions

British universities have high requirements for applicants.
To enroll in a bachelor's degree after 11th grade in a Russian school, you need to complete the Foundation preparatory program to make up for the missing year. A graduate of an English school provides exam results for university preparation programs - A-Level / IB (International Baccalaureate).

The level of language proficiency for admission to a university for a bachelor's program must be at least 6.0 points on IELTS.

You can enroll in a master's program with a diploma from a Russian university, which is usually recommended to be supplemented with preparation for the Pre-Masters academic program, also aimed at improving the level of English proficiency.

Universities and specialties

UK universities offer a wide range of programs for international students - from business majors to multimedia. IQ Consultancy specialists will help you find out all the intricacies of studying at a particular university in a specific program and make your choice.

Language of instruction

Where else to study English if not in its historical homeland? A perfect British accent will be a welcome addition to your academic knowledge and correct grammar.

Obtaining a visa

Obtaining a visa to England, as you know, is not so easy; a student visa also has certain requirements. IQ Consultancy specialists will help you cope with all formalities, prepare and translate documents, including a visa letter, and, if necessary, improve your English skills.

Accommodation

On the institute campus or in a rented apartment.

Cost of education

The cost of studying at UK universities depends on the chosen educational institution, as well as on the faculty and specialty. Accommodation may be included.

The cost ranges from £9,500 to £34,000 for 1 year of study.

University ranking

According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in 2014, 18 universities in England were included in the top 100 universities in the world, with 4 of them sharing places in the top ten.

The UK leads Europe in terms of prestigious business schools, 8 of which are in the top 50 in the world according to the Financial Times magazine rankings.

UK universities regularly rank among the world's best educational institutions. As of 2017, 4 universities in the United Kingdom were included in the top ten best universities in the world according to the authoritative consulting company Quacquarelli Symonds (hereinafter referred to as QS). When compiling the rating, the following parameters were taken into account:

• level of international communication of education;
• research activities of the university;
• quality of training of teaching staff.

Cambridge university

This higher education institution is one of the most famous universities in the UK. According to QS, it ranks first in the ranking of the best universities in the kingdom and 4th in the international ranking. It was founded in 1209. At the moment, the university employs more than 5 thousand teachers and approximately 17.5 thousand students study, a third of whom are foreigners.

The university consists of 31 colleges, which are divided into “old” and “new”. The first group includes colleges founded before 1596, and the second those that opened between 1800 and 1977. New Hall, Newnham and Lucy Cavendish are three all-girl colleges. Peterhouse is the first college of the University of Cambridge. It was opened in 1284. The youngest is Robinson College, founded in 1979. Tuition fees range from £11,829 to £28,632 per year.

The University of Cambridge is ranked 4th in the ranking of the most influential universities in the world. It is second only to Harvard and Stanford University. 92 are Cambridge graduates. The most famous of them: Charles Darwin, Oliver Cromwell, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking.

University of Oxford

This university is the oldest university in the UK. Education has been conducted there since 1096. In the British QS ranking it takes 2nd place, and in the international ranking it is in 6th place. Along with Cambridge, it is part of the Russell Group, which unites 24 of the best higher education institutions in the UK.

In 1249 the first college, the University College, was founded. The latest to open is Templeton, which was founded in 1995 and merged with Green College 13 years later. In total, the university has 36 colleges and 6 dormitories in which religious orders study.

In many respects, this higher educational institution is the best university in the UK. The cost of one year of study for foreigners ranges from 15 to 23 thousand pounds sterling. Students who have studied at any UK college for three years or spent their last three years at a UK school will have to pay approximately £9,000 for their studies. The most expensive program is clinical medicine, which costs over 21 thousand pounds. There is also an annual contribution to the college of £7,000.

University College London

This educational institution ranks 3rd in the UK university rankings. The university is located in the capital of England and is very young when compared with Cambridge and Oxford. University College was founded in 1826. At first it was called the University of London, and received its modern name in 1836. The college ranks 7th in international rankings. According to statistics, 9 out of 10 graduates find a job within 6 months after graduation.

The college consists of 7 faculties. As of 2014, the Department of Economics was the best economics department in Britain. The cost of a year of undergraduate study is almost 16 thousand pounds. Applicants aged 18 can enroll in college. For admission, you must submit a bachelor's diploma with an average score of 4.5, two letters of recommendation and one motivation letter. The applicant must also pass IELTS with a score of 6.5 points or higher and a TOEFL score of at least 92 points.

The cost of a year's master's degree at University College London is about 17 thousand pounds sterling. In addition to the above information, upon admission, the applicant is required to submit his resume.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London is in 4th place in the British ranking and 9th in the international ranking. The educational institution was founded in 1907. The college is part of the Golden Triangle group along with the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and is one of the most elite universities in the UK.

The cost of a bachelor's degree is almost 28 thousand pounds. In addition to the TOEFL, the applicant must complete the International Baccaulaureate program. To enroll in a master's program, you need to pay from 13 thousand pounds.

Edinburgh University

This establishment was founded in 1583. In terms of seniority, the Scottish university is in 6th place among British universities; in the 20th century, its rector was the British Prime Minister Sir

International students wishing to obtain a bachelor's degree must pay $23,500 a year in tuition, while those planning to enroll in a master's degree will have to shell out approximately $18,000. For UK residents, tuition prices are slightly lower. The cost of a master's degree is 17.5 thousand dollars per year, and a bachelor's degree is 12.5 thousand dollars. You also need to pay an additional $664 to $1,265 per month for accommodation.

King's College London

This institution is one of the most famous universities in the world. The college was founded in 1829 by order of King George IV.

The cost of undergraduate education is almost 24 thousand dollars per year for foreigners and 12.5 thousand per year for citizens of the United Kingdom. For master's studies, foreigners and British citizens must pay $25,740 and $7,500 per year, respectively. The cost of training does not include accommodation fees, which range from 1 to 2 thousand dollars per month.

University of Manchester

In 7th place in the ranking of the best higher education institutions in the UK according to QS, it is located. It was founded in 1824 and is classified as a “red brick” university. The university in its current form began to exist in 2004 after the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and its Institute of Science and Technology.

Tuition costs range from 19 to 22 thousand pounds. Accommodation and transport costs are approximately £11,000 per year. There is also a preparatory program costing 11,940 pounds and 15,140 pounds for 3 and 4 semesters, respectively.

University of Bristol

Like Manchester, the University of Bristol is a red brick university. It was founded in 1909. Part of the Russell group. At the moment, the university has 2.5 thousand teachers and almost 19 thousand students, a quarter of whom are citizens of other states.

The cost of a year of study for international students is almost 20 thousand US dollars. For UK passport holders, prices are lower - 9 thousand US dollars. Living and transportation expenses are approximately one and a half thousand dollars monthly. In order to enroll in the 1st year of a bachelor's degree, a Russian student must have a diploma equivalent to A-Level and complete the 1st year of a higher educational institution in Russia. You also need to confirm your English level and pass the LNAT exam.

University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is located in Coventry. It was founded in 1965 and is also part of the Russell group. The university consists of 4 faculties: medical, social sciences, humanities and scientific and technical. In total, more than 20 thousand students study at the University of Warwick.

To be admitted, the applicant must confirm his level of English language proficiency by passing the IELTS and TOEFL tests. You must also submit your UCAS form between 1 September and 15 October. Tuition costs range from 15 to 30 thousand pounds per year. Annual living expenses - from 10 thousand pounds.

UK Open University

This higher education institution of open education was founded in 1969 by decree of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The Open University (hereinafter referred to as OU) was created with the aim of providing people who seek higher education with the opportunity to study in any place convenient for them. OU is one of the largest universities in the Kingdom. More than 200 thousand people are trained there.

The university uses a large number of methods that allow students to study remotely. One of the British agencies that assesses the quality of education gave the OU an excellent rating. In the mid-2000s, the educational institution ranked first in the ranking of the best universities in the UK.

Among travelers planning to study abroad, English universities are very popular. The standards are generally recognized to be at a high level, and the document obtained after it is highly valued by employers from all over the world.

English universities are traditionally considered the best and are represented in the first positions in all of them, which explains the huge number of applicants who want to enroll in them. However, for successful study it is important not only to decide on the institution where you plan to enroll, but also to prepare accordingly.

Requirements for applicants

An important feature of receiving education in the Foggy Albion is the applicant’s compliance with certain requirements.

First of all, they relate to successfully passing the special A-levels exam. Anyone wishing to enter the university will not be allowed to take such a test immediately - they will need to take a preparation course.

This can be done in international colleges or special private schools, the program of which assumes this feature. The duration of training is 2 years. As part of your preparation, you should take advantage of the opportunity to attend preparatory courses, which can increase the likelihood of successful admission.

The programs of some domestic universities imply the possibility of transferring to a foreign educational institution, located, among other things. If you want to start studying at any of the universities in England, Scotland or Wales, it is very important to choose the right educational institution.

As an example, the path from a Russian school to a UK university

When choosing, it is advisable to pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Level of preparation required for admission.
2. Prestige of the university.
3. Payment amount.
4. Time frame for obtaining education in the chosen specialty.

Whatever the final choice of educational institution, an applicant from the Russian Federation or CIS countries must speak English at the required level, which will minimize discomfort during the educational process and communication. To be admitted, the applicant must be over 18 years of age and have a school certificate.

Cost and duration of training

For the vast majority of those who want to receive, the greatest interest is the cost of training. It varies significantly depending on the degree of fame and prestige of a particular institution, as well as on the chosen specialty.

Universities in large cities tend to provide more expensive services than their little-known provincial counterparts. Tuition fees, on average, are noticeably lower than in American universities. The most expensive specialties are related to the field of medicine, while other areas are much cheaper. Tuition prices start from 10 thousand pounds and reach 30 thousand when it comes to medical fields.

Watch the video: Cost of studying in the UK.

In order to optimize training costs, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors:

1. Procedure for paying for tuition (annually, monthly).
2. Opportunity to receive scholarships, grants and other benefits.
3. Duration of education.

Often, students work part-time during their studies, which makes paying for tuition much easier.

Classification of UK higher education institutions

Universities existing in this country are usually divided into 6 groups depending on the date of their foundation. Not only the degree of prestige of an educational institution, teaching traditions, but also the internal rules of universities directly depend on this indicator. The following groups are distinguished:

• Ancient Universities, which includes institutions founded from the 12th to the 16th centuries. It is the oldest and most prestigious in the country's educational system.

  Ancient Universities include Oxford University, the oldest university in Great Britain.

• Red Brick. This includes colleges of engineering and applied sciences that received university status before the outbreak of World War II. They are located, as a rule, in large industrial centers and teach natural sciences.

  The University of Birmingham was founded in 1825 and received a Royal University Charter in 1900.

• Russell Group. They belong to the previous group, since in terms of the principles of education, the disciplines taught and the internal routine, they are absolutely identical.

  The University of Bristol is one of twenty-four prestigious UK universities that are part of the Russell Group

• Plate Glass. Educational institutions whose founding date dates back to the sixties of the last century. They are distinguished by less traditional internal orders and a more fresh look at the learning process.

  The Plate Glass group also includes Aston University, which received its status in 1966

• New Universities. This group was formed only in 1992, since it was then that a number of new colleges earned the right to be called universities, and received state subsidies on an equal basis with other, more ancient universities.

  The University of Brighton was originally an art school, gaining university status in 1992

• Recently Created Universities. The youngest category, formed in 2005. Similar to previous groups, it includes universities, formerly called colleges.

  The University of Bedfordshire is one of England's newest universities, founded in 2006

The cost of training and the complexity of entrance examinations largely depend on the institution’s membership in a particular group. This should definitely be taken into account in the process of selecting an institution for education.

What documents should be prepared

The specifics of admission to English universities are such that the applicant will have to prepare not only the standard package of documents required for admission to the university, but also a number of additional documents.

An approximate list of them includes:

Watch the video: How to correctly write a motivation letter for admission to UK universities.

In addition, you will need to visit the educational institution in person, as this seems to be an integral requirement for applicants. International students can use Skype for interviews.

Features of universities in Scotland and Wales

In addition to England itself, travelers planning to study abroad have the opportunity to enroll in universities in Scotland or Wales.

After all, in these areas there are many large educational institutions, the prestige of a diploma from which is no less than that of English universities.

Admission to universities in Wales and Scotland implies a number of advantages:

• more favorable conditions for admission;
• reduced tuition fees in comparison with universities in England;
• global recognition of diplomas, as well as an incredibly high percentage of employment among graduates;
• low cost of living compared to other regions of Europe.

The average tuition fee starts from 7 thousand pounds, which is 3 thousand pounds less than the same value typical for the UK.

Cost of Bachelor of Management programs in England and Scotland

A feature of studying in Scotland and Wales is the need to obtain a 13th grade education before entering a higher education institution. To do this, a foreign applicant can either study for 1 to 2 years at a domestic university, or receive the necessary training in one of the following ways:

1. Enter a Scottish/Welsh school and graduate.
2. Study at a Scottish/Welsh college.
3. Prepare for Foundation courses or any other program that allows you to enter British universities.

It is advisable to contact representatives of the educational institution where you plan to study 1–2 years before admission, which will allow you to clarify the list of documents and requirements for passing the exam.

Watch the video: Education in Scotland.

Top Universities in England

All categories of UK higher education institutions are in high demand from applicants. However, there are a number of unique ranking leaders, and among them there are representatives of all categories of universities.

1. University of Oxford (from 6 thousand pounds per year).
2. University of East Anglia (from 14 thousand pounds per year).
3. University of York (from 16 thousand pounds per year).
4. Bournemouth University (from 14 thousand pounds per year).
5. University of Bristol (from 19 thousand pounds per year).
6. Cambridge University (from 13 thousand pounds per year).
7. University of Manchester (from £15,500 per year).
8. University of Sussex (from 12 thousand pounds per year).
9. Durham University (from 23 thousand pounds per year).
10. University of Leeds (from 16 thousand pounds per year).
11. Coventry University (from 13 thousand pounds per year).
12. University of Leicester (from 13 thousand pounds per year).
13. University of Reading (from 9 thousand pounds per year).
14. University of Kent (from 20 thousand pounds per year).
15. Newcastle University (from 9 thousand pounds per year).

You can familiarize yourself with the position of English universities in the world rankings.

The most famous building in Cambridge is King's College Cathedral. It took almost a hundred years to build - from 1446, and became the greatest architectural structure.

In addition to educational activities, this educational institution boasts numerous research centers, as well as the largest library in the United Kingdom. Applicants to Cambridge most often give preference to medical and social sciences.

Oxford competes with Cambridge for the right to be called the best university in the UK, which is explained not only by the high standards of education, but also by the prestige of the diploma. It is due to the fact that over 50 students studied at the university, who later became Nobel laureates. In addition, among his listeners were representatives of the political elite, such as Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and others.

Today, Oxford allows 21 thousand students to receive education at the same time. A quarter of them are foreign students.

Among other things, the university is actively engaged in scientific activities, and its scientists have made a list of high-profile discoveries. The quality of education at Oxford is beyond doubt, as the university has earned the Queen's Award 9 times, which is more than any other educational institution in England.

The University of York and Eton are also among the largest universities in the UK and boast a huge number of international students. They often received various awards and prizes for the highest quality of education, which made them extremely popular among applicants. Among the areas of study there are natural, humanities and social sciences.

Just like other leading educational institutions, the University of York is a major research center. According to this indicator, it took 14th place out of 155 educational institutions in England, which is confirmed by its numerous awards.