UK universities are the centre of academic excellence in global education, consistently making their mark in the prestigious Times Higher Education World Rankings. This annual assessment evaluates factors such as teaching quality, research output, and international influence, and the UK’s higher education institutions have long been valued for their commitment to promoting intellectual growth and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

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UK Universities in the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2025

Below is the list of UK universities ranked in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.

1st – University of Oxford

Named the best university in the world for the sixth year in a row by Times Higher Education, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and comprises over 30 colleges and over 100 libraries. More than one-third of Oxford’s student body is international, with 10,000 students from across 150 countries and territories.

Acceptance rate: 17.5%

5th – University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has produced more than 120 affiliated Nobel winners to date, more than any other university, and is currently ranked third in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Acceptance rate: 21%

9th – Imperial College London

Imperial College London is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best universities and focuses exclusively on science, engineering, medicine, and business courses. Located in the heart of London, the university is spread across nine locations in and around the city.

Acceptance rate: 14.7%

22nd – University College London

University College London is located in the centre of London, a member of the elite Russell Group and is extremely popular with international students, who comprise nearly 53% of its total student population.

SI-UK is the only education consultancy in the world that has an agreement in place with UCL to provide international students with a dedicated application service for their postgraduate programme.

Acceptance rate: 63%

29th – University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a popular study destination in Scotland, with 13,000 international students creating a truly diverse and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The university is popular for its state-of-the-art facilities and its world-class courses in business, veterinary medicine, and engineering.

Acceptance rate: 47%

36th – Kings College London

King’s College London is one of the top UK universities for graduate employability and students benefit from its global connections and reputation with employers, universities and organisations ranging from different sectors, including government, business, industry, sports and culture.

Acceptance rate: 13%

50th – London School of Economics

The London School of Economics and Political Science is part of the prestigious Russell Group and has the world’s largest library dedicated to social sciences. Graduates from the University also enjoy some of the best starting salaries and employment rates upon graduation.

Acceptance rate: 9%

53rd – University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is ranked first in the world for societal impact by the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings and with an award-winning careers service, it is no surprise that 94% of Manchester graduates go straight into jobs or further study.

Acceptance rate: 56%

78th – University of Bristol

The University of Bristol is the 4th most targeted university by top UK employers (High Fliers 2020) and is a former European Green Capital winner. It is one of the top five UK universities in REF 2021.

Acceptance rate: 67%

87th – University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow ranks highly in terms of employability prospects, with 96% of students being in employment or further studies within six months of graduating. The University of Glasgow also offers students various scholarships which are based on merit.

The University is made up of four colleges- the College of Arts, College of Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, and College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Science.

Acceptance rate: 84%

93rd – University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is the 2nd most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers 2020), and its 276-acre parkland campus is located just 7 minutes from the city’s center.

Acceptance rate: 13.5%

98th – University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a major global university and part of the Russell Group, representing the UK’s 24 leading universities. High-quality postgraduate programmes provide in-depth knowledge, advanced skills, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Acceptance rate: 14%

106th – University of Warwick

The University of Warwick consistently ranks in the top 10 of all major UK university league tables. Five years after graduating, Warwick graduates are within the UK top 10 for highest earnings in over 11 subjects (LEO dataset 2015-16).

Acceptance rate: 14%

115th – University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is a founding member of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group and courses are developed with industry in mind and focus on developing the skills that future employers will want.

Acceptance rate: 84%

123rd – University of Leeds

Located in the heart of a vibrant, student-friendly city, the University of Leeds campus is a mix of modernity and tradition with world-class facilities, including state-of-the-art libraries and industry-standard laboratories. Award-winning Leeds University Union is one of the biggest and most active in the country, with over 300 clubs and societies.

Acceptance rate: 64%

136th – University of Nottingham

A member of the prestigious Russell Group and Universitas 21, the University of Nottingham is known for providing outstanding research-led teaching, whilst the Careers and Employability Service offers support for finding jobs, internships and placements.

Acceptance rate: 14%

141st – Queen Mary, University of London

Queen Mary, University of London, has world-leading research across all academic schools and departments and an impressive track record of initiating exciting and innovative interdisciplinary collaborations.

Queen Mary continually invests in its campuses to ensure that all students have access to the most up-to-date teaching and research facilities.

Acceptance rate: 43.6%

146th – University of York

The University of York has been awarded Gold for outstanding teaching and student outcomes in the Teaching Excellence Framework, whilst. The University is located in a beautiful parkland campus set around a lake and guaranteed accommodation for international students is also available.

Acceptance rate: 79%

157th – Newcastle University

Newcastle University is an elite member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, and inspires the minds of over 27,000 students from over 130 countries around the globe. Newcastle University’s students are highly sought-after, with 98% of international graduates in employment in professional or managerial jobs.

Acceptance rate: 85%

160th – University of Liverpool

With a rich history stretching back to 1881, the University of Liverpool is associated with 9 Nobel prize winners and is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, the group of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. Students are taught in state-of-the-art facilities across three faculties: Health and Life Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering.

Acceptance rate: 14%

168th – Lancaster University

The growing reputation of Lancaster University is reflected by high rankings year-on-year. In addition to being awarded International University of the Year 2020 by the Times and Sunday Times, enjoy the historic city of Lancaster and the outstanding beauty of the Lake District National Park.

Acceptance rate: 19%

172nd – Durham University

Durham University is spread throughout the centre of the city of Durham, and is within easy walking distance of all 17 residential colleges.

All colleges have their traditions, from college mascots to annual black tie balls. Many of our colleges hold regular gowned formal dinners, while others offer less formal events like music performances and costume parties.

Acceptance rate: 41%

172nd – University of Exeter

Located in the South West of England, the University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and is ranked amongst the UK’s top universities. It has a vibrant community of over 23,500 students from 130 different countries represented across six academic colleges.

Acceptance rate: 73%

185th  – University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews is one of the world’s oldest and oldest among the four ancient universities of Scotland. Founded in 1413, the institute is home to about 10,000 students, over 40% of whom are international students from 135 countries. It comprises mainly three colleges: United College (made of St Salvator’s and St Leonard’s Colleges), St Mary’s College, and St Leonard’s College.

Acceptance rate: 45%

190th – University of Leicester

A degree from the University of Leicester opens doors across the globe. Graduates are in such high demand by employers that 96% enter employment or further study shortly after graduating. A dedicated Careers and Employability service helps students prepare for their future right from the start of their course.

Acceptance rate: 70%

Study in the UK

Do you want to study at a UK university considered one of the best in the world? Contact SI-UK for a free consultation on your higher education future.