List of universities in the United Kingdom by enrolment

This article comprises two lists of institutions in the United Kingdom ranked by the number of students enrolled in higher education courses. The first list, based on data from the academic year 2023/24, breaks down student enrolment by level of study, while the second list, from academic year 2021/22, provides a total student enrolment figure without distinguishing between undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The statistics in both lists are confined to students studying within the United Kingdom and exclude those engaged in distance-learning or transnational education programs conducted overseas. For reference, in the 2022/23 academic year, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) recorded 576,705 overseas students. Universities with significant numbers of overseas students in 2018/19 included the Open University (48,805), University of London (37,850), Liverpool (22,645), Liverpool John Moores (21,780), and Coventry (21,085). ^[1]

Universities and other higher education providers by size and level of study

The source for the figures is the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics for 2023/24. ^[2] The student numbers include full-time and part-time, and are broken down into undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some institutes enrol students in both higher education and further education courses, so student numbers may be higher for such institutes. Numbers are of actual enrolments, not FTEs. The data show that 2.62 million people were enrolled in higher education at the 169 higher education providers reporting statistics to HESA.

Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Postgraduates	Total students	FTE students
–	University of London [a]			[3]
1	The Open University	124,925	8,335	133,265	48,330
2	University College London [b]	25,855	25,580	51,435	—
3	University of Manchester	31,120	15,795	46,915	43,280
4	University of Edinburgh	26,215	14,405	40,625	36,260
5	Manchester Metropolitan University	30,665	8,880	39,545	35,450
6	King's College London [b]	22,985	16,450	39,435	33,955
7	Nottingham Trent University	31,105	7,450	38,555	34,915
8	Canterbury Christ Church University	34,720	3,710	38,430	31,390
9	University of Glasgow	24,165	13,955	38,125	32,620
10	University of Leeds	26,335	11,765	38,100	36,440
11	University of Birmingham	24,585	12,250	36,835	32,850
12	University of Nottingham	27,890	8,290	36,180	34,165
13	University of the West of England	25,620	10,305	35,925	30,945
14	Anglia Ruskin University	25,620	10,275	35,895	26,245
15	Cardiff University	24,450	8,570	33,020	28,325
16	University of Exeter	23,865	9,015	32,880	29,650
17	Sheffield Hallam University	22,605	9,625	32,235	28,670
18	University of Bristol	23,790	8,355	32,145	30,335
19	Ulster University	19,725	12,190	31,915	25,435
20	Birmingham City University	23,980	7,435	31,415	27,615
21	University of Sheffield	20,825	10,245	31,070	29,225
22	University of Liverpool	22,925	7,805	30,735	27,820
23	Northumbria University	20,580	10,045	30,625	25,260
24	University of Warwick	19,430	10,005	29,435	26,580
25	Coventry University	20,640	8,855	29,495	26,705
26	Newcastle University	20,925	6,735	27,660	26,330
27	Liverpool John Moores University	21,355	5,820	27,170	23,495
28	University of Oxford	15,040	12,120	27,160	22,150
29	University of Salford	19,120	7,030	26,155	22,660
30	Queen Mary, University of London [b]	17,590	8,490	26,080	24,420
31	University of Southampton	16,530	9,470	25,995	24,445
32	University of Central Lancashire	17,525	7,775	25,300	22,015
33	De Montfort University	18,495	6,745	25,245	22,300
34	Teesside University	14,030	11,015	25,045	19,090
35	Queen's University Belfast	17,655	7,275	24,930	21,815
36	University of Portsmouth	17,310	7,215	24,525	21,395
37	Leeds Beckett University	16,440	7,595	24,040	20,640
38	University of South Wales	15,300	8,370	23,670	19,210
39	University of Strathclyde	15,160	8,110	23,265	20,145
40	University of the Arts London	16,780	6,020	22,800	20,255
41	University of Cambridge	13,570	9,145	22,710	21,175
42	City, University of London [b]	14,840	7,720	22,560	18,470
43	University of York	15,680	6,765	22,445	20,230
44	Imperial College London	12,150	10,265	22,420	21,265
45	University of Westminster	17,490	4,550	22,040	19,780
46	Glasgow Caledonian University	14,560	7,405	21,965	17,375
47	Durham University	17,120	4,630	21,750	21,265
48	Swansea University	15,690	5,540	21,225	19,010
49	University of East London	12,525	8,215	20,735	16,715
50	University of Derby	14,845	5,505	20,350	14,905
51	University of Reading	13,460	6,785	20,245	16,740
52	University of Lincoln	12,740	7,445	20,185	15,245
53	University of Huddersfield	16,070	3,960	20,030	13,430
54	University of Sunderland	12,650	7,325	19,975	15,935
55	University of Wolverhampton	12,945	6,750	19,700	14,655
56	University of Bath	15,190	4,510	19,695	18,195
57	Buckinghamshire New University	17,975	1,695	19,670	18,000
58	University of Plymouth	15,015	4,215	19,230	16,825
59	University of Sussex	14,135	5,080	19,220	17,765
60	Staffordshire University	16,130	2,900	19,030	15,450
61	Kingston University	14,030	4,795	18,825	16,380
62	Loughborough University	15,235	3,585	18,825	17,870
63	Bournemouth University	13,435	5,185	18,620	15,580
64	Aston University	13,525	5,080	18,605	15,145
65	University of Leicester	13,630	4,850	18,480	16,985
66	University of West London	14,050	4,360	18,410	16,150
67	University of East Anglia	12,660	5,735	18,390	15,940
68	Lancaster University	13,670	4,710	18,380	16,615
69	University of Kent	13,860	3,330	17,190	15,410
70	London South Bank University	12,925	4,040	16,965	13,475
71	University of the West of Scotland	12,075	4,705	16,780	14,390
72	University of Brighton	13,320	3,350	16,665	14,465
73	University of Northampton	12,115	4,305	16,420	15,365
74	University of Surrey	11,515	4,800	16,315	14,650
75	University of Essex	9,915	6,360	16,270	14,285
76	Middlesex University	11,215	4,640	15,855	13,730
77	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	13,050	2,610	15,660	11,755
78	University of Hull	9,905	5,670	15,575	12,840
79	University of Aberdeen	9,990	5,460	15,455	12,070
80	University of Dundee	10,395	4,595	14,990	13,270
81	Leeds Trinity University	13,405	1,360	14,765	12,730
82	London Metropolitan University	10,480	4,250	14,730	13,760
83	Robert Gordon University	9,450	5,135	14,585	10,495
84	Edinburgh Napier University	9,940	4,300	14,240	12,610
85	University of Chester	8,345	5,865	14,215	11,910
86	Edge Hill University	10,095	3,905	14,000	11,435
87	University of Suffolk	13,300	615	13,915	12,900
88	University of Bedfordshire	8,085	5,705	13,790	9,805
89	Keele University	9,900	3,625	13,525	10,625
90	Royal Holloway, University of London [b]	10,515	2,460	12,975	12,220
91	London School of Economics [b]	5,680	7,230	12,910	12,430
92	University of Stirling	8,765	4,100	12,865	11,305
93	University of Bradford	8,400	3,865	12,265	10,800
94	Roehampton University	6,575	5,475	12,050	10,315
95	University of Bolton	8,025	3,895	11,920	9,555
96	University of St Andrews	9,620	2,275	11,895	10,860
97	University for the Creative Arts	10,560	1,215	11,775	10,130
98	Cardiff Metropolitan University	8,835	2,610	11,445	10,580
99	York St John University	6,720	4,185	10,905	9,990
100	Bangor University	6,720	4,115	10,835	8,660
101	Heriot-Watt University	7,150	3,515	10,665	9,270
102	Solent University	8,475	1,180	9,650	9,020
103	University of the Highlands and Islands	8,010	1,520	9,530	6,545
104	University of Cumbria	6,785	2,665	9,450	6,360
105	University of Worcester	6,835	2,330	9,160	7,690
106	Wrexham Glyndŵr University	4,750	4,235	8,990	5,385
107	Birkbeck, University of London [b]	4,775	3,665	8,440	6,225
108	Goldsmiths, University of London [b]	4,830	3,495	8,330	7,435
109	Aberystwyth University	6,615	1,705	8,320	6,185
110	University of Gloucestershire	5,835	2,400	8,235	7,205
111	University of Winchester	6,140	1,375	7,515	6,590
112	St Mary's University, Twickenham	5,480	1,715	7,190	5,995
113	University of Chichester	4,965	1,860	6,825	5,260
114	Queen Margaret University	4,020	2,810	6,835	5,235
115	University College Birmingham	5,735	1,150	6,890	6,245
116	School of Oriental and African Studies [b]	4,085	2,195	6,285	5,820
117	Harper Adams University	4,885	475	5,360	3,080
118	Liverpool Hope University	4,195	860	5,055	4,660
119	Cranfield University	395	4,630	5,025	3,135
120	Abertay University	4,075	875	4,950	3,965
121	Newman University	3,500	585	4,080	3,295
122	Arts University Bournemouth	3,670	290	3,960	3,815
123	St George's, University of London [b]	2,995	855	3,855	3,470
124	University of London (Institutes and activities)	1,475	1,765	3,240	1,375
125	University of Buckingham	1,810	1,245	3,055	2,615
126	Norwich University of the Arts	2,755	110	2,865	2,745
127	Royal College of Art	170	2,680	2,850	2,740
128	University of St Mark and St John	2,160	690	2,850	2,415
129	Glasgow School of Art	1,875	760	2,640	2,665
130	Royal Veterinary College [b]	2,130	470	2,600	2,355
131	Hartpury University	2,235	300	2,540	2,305
132	Bishop Grosseteste University	1,855	520	2,375	1,790
133	London Business School [b]		2,255	2,255	1,685
134	Leeds Arts University	2,075	95	2,170	2,105
135	SRUC	1,665	130	1,795	1,460
136	Stranmillis University College	1,080	340	1,425	1,125
137	Arts University Plymouth	995	75	1,070	985
138	Royal Conservatoire of Scotland	845	375	1,220	1,120
139	Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance	950	350	1,300	1,160
140	Leeds College of Music	1,310	75	1,385	1,340
141	Guildhall School of Music and Drama	665	390	1,055	990
142	The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts	1,000	65	1,065	1,020
143	Royal Northern College of Music	585	275	860	860
144	Grŵp Llandrillo Menai	770	60	830	750
145	Rose Bruford College	770	125	895	810
146	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama [b]	595	335	930	895
147	Royal Academy of Music [b]	375	415	795	785
148	London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine [b]		980	980	780
149	Royal College of Music	485	485	970	925
150	Royal Agricultural University	860	150	1,010	935
151	St Mary's University College, Belfast	860	160	1,015	900
152	Writtle University College	750	75	825	450
153	AECC University College	840	580	1,415	1,065
154	Courtauld Institute of Art [b]	270	360	630	585
155	University College of Osteopathy	445	105	550	445
156	National Film and Television School		565	565	440
157	Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine		245	245	155
158	Institute of Cancer Research [b]		345	345	245
159	Gower College Swansea	30		30	5
160	Grŵp NPTC Group	185		185	120
161	Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
162	University of Wales (central functions)	13,050	2,610	15,660	11,755

Universities and other higher education providers by size (2021/22)

The data source for these statistics is also the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the academic year 2021/22. ^[2] The student figures encompass both full-time and part-time students, without distinction between undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. Some institutions enroll students in both higher education and further education programs, potentially leading to higher student numbers in such cases. It's important to note that these statistics reflect actual student enrollments and not full-time equivalent (FTE) counts. According to the latest available data from HESA, a total of 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education at the various institutions reporting data to HESA for the academic year 2021/22.

Rank	HE Provider	Total
1	The Open University	151,840
2	University College London	46,830
3	The University of Manchester	46,410
4	The University of Glasgow	42,980
5	King's College London	41,490
6	The Nottingham Trent University	41,465
7	The University of Edinburgh	41,250
8	Coventry University	38,190
9	The University of Birmingham	37,990
10	University of Nottingham	37,260
11	The University of Leeds	37,190
12	University of the West of England, Bristol	37,170
13	Manchester Metropolitan University	36,980
14	Anglia Ruskin University	35,195
15	Ulster University	34,550
16	Sheffield Hallam University	34,535
17	Cardiff University	33,985
18	University of Northumbria at Newcastle	32,570
19	The University of Exeter	32,465
20	University of Hertfordshire	31,940
21	University of Bristol	31,485
22	The University of Sheffield	30,860
23	Birmingham City University	30,285
24	The University of Warwick	28,825
25	The University of Liverpool	28,680
26	De Montfort University	28,335
27	University of Central Lancashire	28,325
28	Liverpool John Moores University	28,100
29	The University of Oxford	27,290
30	Newcastle University	27,280
31	University of Greenwich	26,610
32	University of Portsmouth	26,500
33	Queen Mary University of London	26,045
34	The University of Strathclyde	25,715
35	The University of Salford	25,415
36	Queen's University Belfast	25,295
37	Canterbury Christ Church University	24,660
38	The University of Southampton	23,795
39	The University of York	23,420
40	Leeds Beckett University	23,365
41	University of South Wales	23,270
42	Teesside University	22,695
43	The University of Cambridge	22,610
44	University of the Arts, London	22,455
45	Swansea University	22,290
46	University of Durham	22,230
47	Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine	21,470
48	University of Derby	20,955
49	University of Westminster	20,915
50	The University of Huddersfield	20,885
51	City, University of London	20,685
52	Buckinghamshire New University	20,570
53	University of Wolverhampton	20,250
54	University of the West of Scotland	20,070
55	Glasgow Caledonian University	20,050
56	University of Sunderland	19,975
57	Kingston University	19,920
58	The University of Sussex	19,865
59	University of East London	19,550
60	The University of Reading	19,390
61	Middlesex University	19,225
62	London South Bank University	19,185
63	The University of East Anglia	19,130
64	University of Plymouth	19,095
65	The University of Bath	18,890
66	Loughborough University	18,760
67	University of West London	18,695
68	Brunel University London	18,655
69	Staffordshire University	18,460
70	University of Kent	18,155
71	The University of Essex	18,110
72	University of Dundee	18,100
73	University of Lincoln	17,975
74	Bournemouth University	17,960
75	The University of Brighton	17,835
76	The University of Lancaster	17,770
77	Aston University	17,595
78	Oxford Brookes University	17,470
79	University of Leicester	16,670
80	The University of Aberdeen	16,565
81	University of Bedfordshire	16,430
82	The University of Northampton	16,100
83	BPP University	15,910
84	University of Surrey	15,575
85	Edinburgh Napier University	15,530
86	The University of Law	15,235
87	Arden University	15,120
88	The University of Hull	15,075
89	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	15,045
90	Robert Gordon University	14,970
91	University of Stirling	14,895
92	Edge Hill University	14,700
93	University of Suffolk	14,555
94	University of Chester	14,325
95	London Metropolitan University	13,435
96	Bath Spa University	13,240
97	London School of Economics and Political Science	12,975
98	Cardiff Metropolitan University	12,620
99	Royal Holloway and Bedford New College	12,480
100	Roehampton University	12,335
101	Keele University	12,235
102	The University of Bradford	11,885
103	University of St. Andrews	11,820
104	Heriot-Watt University	11,680
105	Leeds Trinity University	11,640
106	The University of Bolton	10,995
107	Birkbeck College	10,660
108	Bangor University	10,505
109	Solent University	10,070
110	University of the Highlands and Islands	10,005
111	University of Worcester	9,900
112	Goldsmiths College	9,880
113	University of Cumbria	9,705
114	University for the Creative Arts	9,430
115	The University of Winchester	8,280
116	University of Gloucestershire	8,210
117	York St John University	7,935
118	Aberystwyth University	7,845
119	Glyndŵr University	7,490
120	BIMM University	7,045
121	Falmouth University	6,635
122	SOAS University of London	6,295
123	Queen Margaret University	6,250
124	University of Chichester	5,985
125	St Mary's University, Twickenham	5,895
126	Liverpool Hope University	5,640
127	Cranfield University	5,400
128	Harper Adams University	5,275
129	University College Birmingham	5,170
130	St George's, University of London	4,825
131	Abertay University	4,790
132	University of London (Institutes and activities)	4,290
133	The Arts University Bournemouth	3,725
134	University of Buckingham	3,430
135	Regent College	3,160
136	Study Group	3,040
137	University College of Estate Management	3,010
138	University of St Mark and St John	2,890
139	Birmingham Newman University	2,760
140	Norwich University of the Arts	2,760
141	Royal Veterinary College	2,590
142	Ravensbourne University London	2,585
143	Royal College of Art	2,575
144	Glasgow School of Art	2,440
145	London Business School	2,390
146	Bishop Grosseteste University	2,370
147	Hartpury University	2,355
148	Leeds Arts University	2,340
149	Global Banking School Limited	1,895
150	Regent's University London	1,865
151	Kaplan, Inc.	1,835
152	SRUC	1,700
153	Hult International Business School	1,660
154	Nelson College London Ltd	1,630
155	Leeds Conservatoire	1,540
156	ICON College of Technology and Management	1,365
157	Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance	1,340
158	Stranmillis University College	1,325
159	Royal Conservatoire of Scotland	1,245
160	Royal Agricultural University	1,240
161	The London College UCK	1,190
162	London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine	1,125
163	Istituto Marangoni	1,125
164	Conservatoire for Dance and Drama	1,105
165	Guildhall School of Music and Drama	1,105
166	Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance	1,105
167	Bloomsbury Institute	1,095
168	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama	1,085
169	Institute of Contemporary Music Performance	1,080
170	Arts University Plymouth	1,060
171	St Mary's University College	1,040
172	AECC University College	1,035
173	AA School of Architecture	1,010
174	Hult International Business School	995
175	Royal College of Music	995
176	The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts	990
177	ACM Guildford Limited	960
178	Pearson College London	940
179	Applied Business Academy Limited	920
180	Grŵp Llandrillo Menai	910
181	Royal Northern College of Music	870
182	Writtle University College	830
183	CEG UFP Limited	805
184	Kaplan International Colleges U.K. Limited	805
185	Royal Academy of Music	790
186	Point Blank Music School	775
187	University Centre Peterborough	750
188	Mont Rose College of Management and Sciences	745
189	SAE Education Limited	745
190	London School of Management Education	725
191	Richmond, The American International University in London	695
192	ESCP Business School	605
193	Courtauld Institute of Art	600
194	National Film and Television School	555
195	Le Cordon Bleu	555
196	Met Film School	530
197	University College of Osteopathy	475
198	New College of the Humanities	470
199	St Mellitus College	465
200	The Metanoia Institute	455
201	Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts	450
202	London School of Theology	445
203	Apex College London	430
204	David Game College	405
205	Futureworks	400
206	LAMDA Limited	380
207	The Institute of Cancer Research	365
208	Arts Educational Schools	345
209	The College of Health Ltd	345
210	Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education	340
211	London Film School	340
212	London Studio Centre	320
213	London School of Commerce & IT Ltd	295
214	The London Institute of Banking & Finance	295
215	City and Guilds of London Art School	280
216	Spurgeon's College	280
217	West Dean College	280
218	Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine	270
219	Norland College	270
220	Waverley Abbey College	250
221	London Churchill College	245
222	Institute of Art - London Limited	240
223	The City College	215
224	London School of Science and Technology Limited	215
225	The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute Limited	215
226	Christ the Redeemer College	210
227	British Academy of Jewellery Limited	205
228	London Bridge Business Academy	200
229	Moorlands College	200
230	Backstage Academy (Training) Ltd	195
231	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art	195
232	The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine	185
233	Empire College London Limited	180
234	Grŵp NPTC Group	180
235	Paris Dauphine International	180
236	The Minster Centre	175
237	The Council of the Inns of Court	165
238	Northern College of Acupuncture	165
239	Regents Theological College	165
240	Trinity College Bristol	160
241	The Film Education Training Trust Limited	150
242	Nazarene Theological College, Manchester	150
243	University Centre Quayside Limited	150
244	Cambridge Theological Federation	145
245	London School of Academics Ltd	140
246	Dartington Hall Trust	130
247	The Markfield Institute of Higher Education	130
248	Matrix College of Counselling and Psychotherapy Ltd	130
249	Central Film School London	125
250	Cliff College	125
251	Royal Academy of Dance	125
252	Cambridge Arts and Sciences Limited	120
253	College of Legal Practice Limited	120
254	The London School of Architecture	115
255	Results Consortium Limited	105
256	INTO University Partnerships	100
257	ThinkSpace Education Limited	90
258	Chicken Shed Theatre Company	85
259	Luther King House Educational Trust	85
260	All Nations Christian College	85
261	College of Osteopaths	80
262	The Institute of Ismaili Studies	80
263	Missio Dei	80
264	St Patrick's International College	80
265	MLA College	75
266	Bristol Baptist College	70
267	The Islamic College	65
268	The London Interdisciplinary School Ltd	65
269	Newbold College	65
270	Amity Global Education	60
271	Gower College Swansea	50
272	Dyson Technical Training Limited	40
273	ForMission Ltd	40
274	Raindance Educational Services Ltd	40
275	The Salvation Army	40
276	Courtyard Theatre, London	35
277	New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE)	35
278	London College of Contemporary Music	30
279	Industrial Common Ownership Movement	30
280	The Engineering and Design Institute London	25
281	JSA Education Group Ltd.	20
282	The Prince's Foundation	20
283	BRIT School	15
284	Waltham International College Limited	10
285	Kensington College of Business	5

See also

• Armorial of UK universities
• List of largest universities by enrollment
• List of universities in the United Kingdom
• List of UK universities by date of foundation
• List of UK universities by endowment

Notes

1. The University of London is a confederal organisation made up of a number of constituent colleges which, along with the University's central institutions and activities, are listed separately.
2. Constituent college of the University of London.

References

1. "Where do HE students come from?: Transnational education". HESA. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
2. "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider: HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
3. Combined total from "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider: HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 3 April 2025.Included institutions are Birkbeck, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, City, University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmiths, Institute of Cancer Research, King's College, London Business School, LSE, LSHTM, Queen Mary, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Holloway, Royal Veterinary College, SOAS, St George's, UCL and the central institutes & activities.