This is a list of universities in the United Kingdom (alphabetical by substantive name). Below that are lists of university colleges and other recognised bodies (institutions with degree awarding powers), followed by a list of defunct institutions.
This list follows the list of recognised bodies on the UK government website. [1] All the institutions on this list are recognised bodies with university status, indicated either by their use of university title in their name on the recognised bodies list or by reference to the Office for Students database [2] for the few universities that do not use the title in their name. Member institutions of the University of London are listed here if they hold university status.
Arms | University | Established | University status | Total students (2023/24) [3] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | University of Aberdeen | 1495 | 1495 | 15,455 | King's College and Marischal College merged in 1860. |
![]() | Abertay University | 1888 | 1994 | 4,950 | Dundee |
![]() | Aberystwyth University | 1872 | 2007 | 8,320 | |
![]() | Anglia Ruskin University | 1858 | 1992 | 35,895 | Campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and London. |
None | Arden University | 1990 | 2015 | 28,710 | Private, distance learning & blended learning, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Berlin |
University of the Arts London | 1986 | 2003 | 22,800 | The university is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, the London College of Communication, the London College of Fashion and the Wimbledon College of Arts. | |
![]() | Aston University | 1895 | 1966 | 18,605 | Birmingham |
![]() | Bangor University | 1884 | 2007 | 10,835 | |
![]() | University of Bath | 1886 | 1966 | 19,695 | |
None | Bath Spa University | 1852 | 2005 | 24,585 | |
![]() | Birkbeck, University of London | 1823 | 2023 | 8,440 | Member institution of the University of London. University in its own right since 2023. |
None | University of Bedfordshire | 1882 | 2006 | 13,790 | Campuses in Luton and Bedford. |
None | BIMM University | 2001 | 2022 | 7,115 | Private university with campuses at Brighton, London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex, Dublin, Berlin |
![]() | University of Birmingham | 1825 | 1900 | 36,835 | |
![]() | Birmingham City University | 1843 | 1992 | 31,415 | |
![]() | Birmingham Newman University | 1973 | 2012 | 4,080 | |
![]() | University College Birmingham | 1957 | 2012 | 6,890 | Despite its name, University College Birmingham holds full university status. [4] |
![]() | Bishop Grosseteste University | 1862 | 2012 | 2,375 | Lincoln |
None | Arts University Bournemouth | 1880 | 2012 | 3,960 | |
![]() | Bournemouth University | 1900s | 1992 | 18,620 | |
None | BPP University | 1992 | 2013 | 33,750 | Private, 6 London centres, 12 across rest of England, and 2 in Channel Islands. |
![]() | University of Bradford | 1832 | 1966 | 12,265 | |
None | University of Brighton | 1858 | 1992 | 16,665 | |
![]() | University of Bristol | 1595 | 1909 | 32,145 | |
![]() | Brunel University of London | 1798 | 1966 | 15,475 | Campus at Uxbridge, London. Member institution of the University of London. |
![]() | University of Buckingham | 1973 | 1983 | 3,055 | First private university in the UK |
![]() | Buckinghamshire New University | 1891 | 2007 | 19,670 | High Wycombe |
University of the Built Environment | 1919 | 2025 | 3,190 | Reading | |
![]() | University of Cambridge | 1209 | 1209–1226 | 22,710 | Collegiate university. Established by migration from Oxford in 1209; organised under a chancellor by 1226 [5] |
![]() | Canterbury Christ Church University | 1962 | 2005 | 38,430 | |
![]() | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 1865 | 2011 | 11,445 | Formerly University of Wales Institute Cardiff |
![]() | Cardiff University | 1893 | 2005 | 33,020 | |
![]() | University of Chester | 1839 | 2005 | 14,215 | Campuses at Chester and Warrington |
![]() | University of Chichester | 1977 | 2005 | 6,825 | |
![]() | City St George's, University of London | 1834 | 2024 | Member institution of the University of London. Formed in 2024 by merger of City, University of London and St George's, University of London. | |
![]() | Coventry University | 1970 | 1992 | 29,495 | Includes CU Coventry, CU Scarborough and CU London |
![]() | Cranfield University | 1946 | 1993 | 5,025 | |
![]() | University for the Creative Arts | 1856 | 2008 | 11,775 | Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester |
![]() | University of Cumbria | 1890 | 2007 | 9,450 | Main campus at Carlisle, with campuses at London, Lancaster, Penrith and Ambleside |
![]() | De Montfort University | 1870 | 1992 | 25,245 | Leicester |
![]() | University of Derby | 1851 | 1992 | 20,350 | |
![]() | University of Dundee | 1881 | 1967 | 14,990 | |
![]() | Durham University | 1832 | 1832 | 21,750 | Collegiate university |
![]() | University of East Anglia | 1963 | 1963 | 18,390 | Norwich |
![]() | University of East London | 1898 | 1992 | 20,735 | |
![]() | Edge Hill University | 1885 | 2006 | 14,000 | Ormskirk, Lancashire |
![]() | University of Edinburgh | 1583 | 1583 | 40,625 | |
![]() | Edinburgh Napier University | 1964 | 1992 | 14,240 | |
![]() | University of Essex | 1964 | 1965 | 16,270 | Campuses at Colchester and Southend-on-Sea |
![]() | University of Exeter | 1838 | 1955 | 32,880 | |
![]() | Falmouth University | 1902 | 2012 | 7,915 | |
![]() | University of Glasgow | 1451 | 1451 | 38,125 | |
![]() | Glasgow Caledonian University | 1875 | 1993 | 21,965 | Formed by the merger of The Queen's College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic. |
![]() | University of Gloucestershire | 1834 | 2001 | 8,235 | Campuses at Cheltenham, Gloucester, and London. |
![]() | Goldsmiths, University of London | 1891 | 2024 | 8,330 | A member institution of the University of London. Since 2013 Goldsmiths has had its own degree awarding power. [6] |
![]() | University of Greater Manchester | 1824 | 2004 | 11,920 | Previously called the University of Bolton |
![]() | University of Greenwich | 1890 | 1992 | 29,695 | |
![]() | Harper Adams University | 1901 | 2012 | 5,360 | Newport, Shropshire |
![]() | Hartpury University | 1947 | 2018 | 2,540 | Gloucestershire |
None | Health Sciences University | 1917 | 2024 | 1,415 | Bournemouth and London |
![]() | Heriot-Watt University | 1821 | 1966 | 10,665 | Campuses at Edinburgh and Galashiels |
![]() | University of Hertfordshire | 1952 | 1992 | 34,255 | Hatfield |
![]() | University of the Highlands and Islands | 1992 | 2011 | 9,530 | Federal university with a main campus at Inverness, and colleges at Elgin, Perth & across north and western Scotland |
![]() | University of Huddersfield | 1825 | 1992 | 20,030 | Campuses at Huddersfield and Barnsley |
![]() | University of Hull | 1927 | 1954 | 15,575 | |
![]() | Imperial College London | 1907 | 2007 | 22,420 | Despite its name, Imperial College holds full university status. [7] |
![]() | Keele University | 1949 | 1962 | 13,525 | Staffordshire |
![]() | University of Kent | 1965 | 1965 | 17,190 | Campuses at Canterbury and Medway. Collegiate university |
![]() | King's College London | 1829 | 2023 | 39,435 | Member institution of the University of London. Since 2008 King's awarded its own degrees. [8] |
![]() | Kingston University | 1899 | 1992 | 18,825 | Kingston upon Thames |
![]() | University of Central Lancashire | 1828 | 1992 | 25,300 | Campuses at Preston and Burnley. Will rebrand as University of Lancashire in September 2025 |
![]() | Lancaster University | 1964 | 1964 | 18,380 | Collegiate university |
![]() | University of Law | 1865 | 2012 | 8,000 | Private university |
![]() | University of Leeds | 1831 | 1904 | 38,100 | Formerly part of the federal Victoria University |
None | Leeds Arts University [9] | 1846 | 2017 | 2,170 | |
None | Leeds Beckett University | 1824 | 1992 | 24,040 | |
![]() | Leeds Trinity University | 1966 | 2012 | 14,765 | |
![]() | University of Leicester | 1921 | 1957 | 18,480 | |
![]() | University of Lincoln | 1861 | 1992 | 20,185 | Campuses at Lincoln, Riseholme, and Holbeach |
![]() | University of Liverpool | 1881 | 1903 | 30,735 | Formerly part of the federal Victoria University |
![]() | Liverpool Hope University | 1844 | 2005 | 5,055 | |
![]() | Liverpool John Moores University | 1823 | 1992 | 27,170 | |
![]() | University of London | 1836 | 1836 | 205,400 [10] | Federal university |
![]() | London Metropolitan University | 1848 | 2002 | 14,730 | Formed by merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London |
![]() | London School of Economics | 1895 | 2022 | 12,910 | Member institution of the University of London. Since 2008 the LSE has awarded its own degrees. [11] |
![]() | London South Bank University | 1892 | 1992 | 16,965 | |
![]() | Loughborough University | 1909 | 1966 | 18,825 | |
![]() | University of Manchester | 1824 | 2004 | 46,915 | Formed by merger of the Victoria University of Manchester (itself formed by the merger of Owens College and the Victoria University) and UMIST in 2004 |
![]() | Manchester Metropolitan University | 1824 | 1992 | 39,545 | |
![]() | Middlesex University | 1878 | 1992 | 15,855 | London |
![]() | Newcastle University | 1834 | 1963 | 27,660 | |
![]() | University of Northampton | 1924 | 2005 | 16,420 | |
None | Northeastern University – London [12] | 2010 | 2022 | 845 | Subsidiary of Northeastern University in the US. Formerly the New College of the Humanities. |
![]() | Northumbria University | 1877 | 1992 | 30,625 | |
None | Norwich University of the Arts | 1843 | 2013 | 2,865 | |
![]() | University of Nottingham | 1798 | 1948 | 36,180 | |
![]() | Nottingham Trent University | 1843 | 1992 | 38,555 | |
![]() | Open University | 1969 | 1969 | 133,265 | Milton Keynes (an open-access distance learning university) |
![]() | University of Oxford | 1096 | 1200–1214 | 27,160 | Collegiate university. Teaching as early as 1096; schools organised into a university from c. 1200, with statutes given by a legatine charter in 1214. [13] |
None | Oxford Brookes University | 1865 | 1992 | 23,405 | |
![]() | Plymouth Marjon University | 1993 | 2013 | 2,850 | Formerly the University of St. Mark & St. John |
None | Arts University Plymouth | 1856 | 2022 | 1,070 | |
![]() | University of Plymouth | 1862 | 1992 | 19,230 | |
![]() | University of Portsmouth | 1870 | 1992 | 24,525 | |
![]() | Queen Margaret University | 1875 | 2007 | 6,835 | 2007/2008 moved to a new campus in Musselburgh, East Lothian. |
![]() | Queen Mary University of London | 1785 | 2023 | 26,080 | A member institution of the University of London which has awarded its own degrees since 2014. [14] |
![]() | Queen's University Belfast | 1810 | 1908 | 24,930 | |
None | Ravensbourne University London | 1962 | 2018 | 6,555 | London |
![]() | University of Reading | 1892 | 1926 | 20,245 | |
None | Regent's University London | 1984 | 2013 | 2,171 | Private university [15] |
![]() | Richmond American University London | 1972 | 2019 | 1,600 | Private university |
![]() | Robert Gordon University | 1750 | 1992 | 14,585 | Aberdeen |
None | University of Roehampton | 1975 | 2004 | 12,050 | Collegiate university with four colleges |
![]() | Royal Agricultural University | 1845 | 2013 | 1,010 | Cirencester |
![]() | Royal Holloway, University of London [16] | 1879 | 2022 | 12,975 | Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right. |
Royal Veterinary College | 1791 | 2023 | 2,600 | Member institution of the University of London. University in its own right since 2023. | |
![]() | University of Salford | 1850 | 1967 | 26,155 | |
![]() | University of Sheffield | 1897 | 1905 | 31,070 | |
![]() | Sheffield Hallam University | 1843 | 1992 | 32,235 | |
![]() | SOAS University of London | 1916 | 2023 | 6,285 | A member institution of the University of London with degree awarding powers since 2013. [17] University in its own right since 2023. [18] |
![]() | University of South Wales | 1841 | 2013 | 23,670 | Merger of University of Wales, Newport and University of Glamorgan |
![]() | University of Southampton | 1862 | 1952 | 25,995 | |
![]() | Southampton Solent University | 1984 | 2005 | 9,650 | Southampton |
![]() | University of St Andrews | 1413 | 1413 | 11,895 | |
![]() | St Mary's University, Twickenham | 1850 | 2014 | 7,190 | |
![]() | University of Staffordshire | 1906 | 1992 | 19,030 | Campuses at Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and Lichfield |
![]() | University of Stirling | 1967 | 1967 | 12,865 | Bridge of Allan |
![]() | University of Strathclyde | 1796 | 1964 | 23,265 | Glasgow |
None | University of Suffolk | 2007 | 2016 | 13,915 | Campuses at Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft |
University of Sunderland | 1901 | 1992 | 19,975 | ||
![]() | University of Surrey | 1891 | 1966 | 16,315 | Guildford |
![]() | University of Sussex | 1959 | 1961 | 19,220 | Brighton |
![]() | Swansea University | 1920 | 2007 | 21,225 | |
Teesside University | 1930 | 1992 | 25,045 | Campuses at Middlesbrough and Darlington | |
![]() | Ulster University | 1865 | 1984 | 31,915 | Formed by merger of the New University of Ulster and Ulster Polytechnic |
None | University College London | 1826 | 2023 | 46,830 | Member institution of the University of London; since 2023 a university in its own right. |
![]() | University of Wales | 1893 | 1893 | 15,660 | Functionally merged with UWTSD in 2017 but still constitutionally separate [19] |
![]() | University of Wales Trinity Saint David | 1822 | 2010 | 15,660 | UWTSD. Formed by merger of the University of Wales, Lampeter, Trinity College, Carmarthen and Swansea Metropolitan University. Campuses at Lampeter, Carmarthen and Swansea. |
![]() | University of Warwick | 1965 | 1965 | 29,435 | Coventry |
![]() | University of the West of England | 1595 | 1992 | 35,925 | Bristol |
![]() | University of the West of Scotland | 1897 | 1992 | 16,780 | Campuses at Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries |
None | University of West London | 1860 | 1992 | 18,410 | Campuses at Ealing and Brentford |
![]() | University of Westminster | 1838 | 1992 | 22,040 | |
![]() | University of Winchester | 1840 | 2005 | 7,515 | |
![]() | University of Wolverhampton | 1899 | 1992 | 19,700 | |
![]() | University of Worcester | 1946 | 2005 | 9,160 | |
![]() | Wrexham University | 1887 | 2008 | 8,990 | |
![]() | University of York | 1963 | 1963 | 22,445 | |
![]() | York St John University | 1841 | 2006 | 10,905 |
Arms | University | Established | University college status | Total students | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
- |
All member institutions of the University of London are recognised bodies as institutions that have the right to grant University of London degrees. Some also hold their own degree awarding powers and, since the passing of the University of London Act 2018, can apply for university status in their own right without leaving the federal university. [20] Member institutions that are also universities in their own right are listed both here and in the list of universities above. The university was an examining board until 1900, when it became a federal university and admitted colleges as "Schools of the University". [21]
Arms | University | Established | Joined University of London | Total students (2023/24) [3] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Birkbeck, University of London | 1823 | 1920 | 8,440 | A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2012. [22] |
![]() | Brunel University of London | 1798 | 2024 | 15,475 | A university since 1966, became a member institution of the University of London in 2024. [23] |
![]() | City St George's, University of London | 1834 | 2016 | 26,415 | Formed in 2024 by merger of City, University of London and St George's, University of London. City became a member institution of the University of London in 2016, [24] and became a university in its own right again in 2023. |
None | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama | 1906 | 2005 | 930 | A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2005. [25] |
None | Courtauld Institute of Art | 1932 | 2002 | 630 | |
![]() | Goldsmiths, University of London | 1891 | 1905 | 8,330 | Became an institution owned by the university in 1905 [21] and a school of the university in 1988. [26] A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2013. [27] |
None | Institute of Cancer Research | 1909 | 2003 | 345 | |
![]() | King's College London | 1829 | 1900 | 39,435 | Along with University College London, one of the two colleges named in the 1836 charter as having the right to submit students for examination and an original school of the university in 1900. [21] Since 2023 a university in its own right. |
None | London Business School | 1964 | 1964 | 2,255 | LBS is a university in its own right, having received a Royal Charter in 1986. [28] |
![]() | London School of Economics | 1895 | 1900 | 12,910 | Original school of the university in 1900. [21] Since 2023 a university in its own right. |
None | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | 1899 | 1900 | 980 | Original school of the university in 1900. [21] A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2013. [29] |
![]() | Queen Mary University of London | 1785 | 1907 | 26,080 | A university in its own right which awarded its own degrees since 2014. [30] |
![]() | Royal Academy of Music | 1822 | 1999 | 795 | A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2012. [31] |
![]() | Royal Holloway, University of London | 1879 | 1900 | 12,975 | Original school of the university in 1900. [21] Since 2022 a university in its own right. [32] |
Royal Veterinary College | 1791 | 1949 | 2,600 | A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2009. [33] | |
![]() | SOAS University of London | 1916 | 1916 | 6,285 | A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2013. [34] |
None | University College London | 1826 | 1900 | 51,435 | Along with King's College London, one of the two colleges named in the 1836 charter as having the right to submit students for examination and an original school of the university in 1900. [21] A university in its own right, with degree awarding powers since 2005. [35] |
This section lists other education institutions that hold their own degree awarding powers but are neither universities (or colleges of the University of London) nor university colleges. [1]
These institutions are recognised bodies with foundation degree awarding powers only. [1]
This section lists defunct universities, university colleges, polytechnics and colleges of federal universities.
While based in the UK, these are not considered UK universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government unless separately listed in one of the categories above. Many are 'study abroad' centres for non-UK universities, offering a year or a semester in the UK for students enrolled at the foreign university, rather than campuses offering their own courses.
As of 1 November 2023, [update] there are 29 "Overseas Higher Education Institutions" that have been approved for student visa purposes by the UK Government as offering "an overseas course of degree level study that's equal to a UK higher education course". [40] [41] There is also one branch of an overseas university that is a "listed body", offering courses leading to a UK degree from a "registered body". [42] The following are approved overseas higher education institutions and foreign universities that are listed bodies in the UK, with their UK locations:
Universities in British Overseas Territories are not considered UK Universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government. [48]
See list of universities in the Isle of Man for university institutions on the Isle of Man. There are currently no universities in the Channel Islands; in 2013 [50] [51] the States of Guernsey gave approval for the opening of a university there but, as of February 2017, no progress has been made on the project. [52] The plan was cancelled in 2021. [53]
There were schools in operation in Oxford from at least as early as the middle of the twelfth century; an embryonic university organization was in existence from 1200, even before the first papal statutes (1214), which were complemented by royal charters, had established its first institutions