Did you know there are over 130 universities in the UK? Moreover, some have been a part of the top university rankings list. These top colleges in UK are the best when it comes to providing high-quality education.
Moreover, the UK is home to four of the highest-ranked universities in the world! So, there is no doubt that students around the world want to study in the UK for better career prospects. Below are the top six universities in the UK, along with their admission process.
(H2) Imperial College London
Imperial is one of the top colleges in the UK and the world because its students not only get great programs but also access to some of the top research facilities in the world.
Another impressive fact about Imperial College is that it has 14 Nobel prize winners and 81 fellows of medical science. Additionally, it ranks 6th in the Times Good University Guide 2025.
· Fees: £25,000.00 – £28,000.00 (INR 28,14,250 – 31,53,960)
· Eligibility criteria: 90%+ in your 12th; furthermore, you need valid standardized test scores like SAT, ACT, or IB.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 15%
· World University Ranking: 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) University of Oxford
Next on our list is the University of Oxford, one of the world’s most famous and oldest institutions. While its exact founding date is unknown, teaching at Oxford is believed to have begun in the 11th century.
Another great thing about Oxford is that it has a large alumni network of 2,50,000 individuals, including 26 Nobel Prize winners, 120 Olympic medalists, and over 30 world leaders. This includes big names like Bill Clinton, Indira Gandhi, and Aung San Suu Kyi. Additionally, Stephen Hawking, Tim Berners Lee, and Richard Dawkins are just a few of the many amazing Oxford scientists and thinkers.
· Fees: £33,050 – £48,620 (INR 37,20,998- 54,72,593)
· Eligibility criteria: 90%+ in your 12th. Additionally, you need a good scholastic background.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 17.5%
· World University Ranking: 3rd in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) King’s College London
The King’s College London is again one of the oldest institutes in England. It is known for its high class technology and research facilities.
What makes King’s College London so special is that it has a large network of 23,000 international students and a total staff of 8,500. Second, it ranks 6th in the REF power ranking.
In Addition, some other things that make King’s great is that it generates a total income of £684 million annually.
· Fees: £33,050 – £48,620 (INR 37,20,998- 54,72,593)
· Eligibility criteria: This depends on the course you choose, but for your UG, it is great if you have more than 90%+ in your 12th.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 17.5%
· World University Ranking: 3rd in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) University of Cambridge
Just like Oxford, Cambridge is also celebrated for its legacy. It is believed to be the centre of culture, history, technology, and education throughout the history.
Another great thing about Cambridge is that it has one of the highest employment rates in the world, 93.1%. Cambridge has been the home of some of mankind’s greatest minds, including Sir Isaac Newton, Sylvia Plath, Alan Turing, William Harvey, and Joseph Stiglitz.
· Fees: Starting from £35,092 (INR 39,48,226)
· Eligibility criteria: This depends on the course you want to pursue, but the main requirement is that you need a good academic background.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 21%
· World University Ranking: 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) UCL
The next on our top colleges in UK list is UCL. UCL is one of the biggest college in London which always stays in demand among top employers in the world.
UCL was established in the year 1826 and then became one of the first places in England to allow women for their higher education. Later on, it also became the first institute that welcomed students of different religions and social backgrounds.
The UCL has a diverse population of more than 40,000 and almost 53% of its overall students come from around the world to get the top quality education.
· Fees: Starting from £9,535 (INR 10,73,686)
· Eligibility criteria: You need to have great grades, preferably AAA or higher at A-level. You also need a strong personal statement and scores on standardized tests.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 25%
· World University Ranking: 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) University of Edinburgh
Last but not least on our list is the University of Edinburg. While it is one of the top institutes in the world, it is not just known for education. UoE is considered the hub of groundbreaking research, and as a result, there have been top discoveries like the Higgs boson particle, chloroform anaesthesia, and in-vitro fertilization. UoE also has 50,000 students from more than 180 countries, which makes it a beautiful and vibrant community.
· Fees: Starting from £33,100 (INR 37,26,087)
· Eligibility criteria: Just like the other colleges, the criteria depend on the course you choose. However, you need to have 90+ in your 12th and a good academic qualification.
· Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
· World University Ranking: 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
(H2) List of Other Top Colleges in the UK
In addition, below is a list of the other top colleges in UK, along with their rankings as well as scores:
University | WUR Rank 2025 | UK Rank 2025 | Research Quality | Teaching | Industry | Research Environment | International Outlook | Overall |
King’s College London | 36 | 6 | 97.2 | 60.1 | 76.2 | 74.3 | 97.2 | 78.8 |
London School of Economics and Political Science | 50 | 7 | 94.7 | 60 | 45.1 | 72 | 94.2 | 75.9 |
University of Manchester | 53 | 8 | 93.4 | 60.3 | 73.3 | 67.7 | 95.5 | 75.5 |
University of Bristol | 78 | 9 | 96.8 | 49.8 | 71.1 | 56.9 | 92.6 | 70 |
University of Glasgow | 87 | 10 | 96 | 47.5 | 72 | 51.4 | 96 | 67.8 |
(H2) Conclusion
In conclusion, there are some amazing colleges in the UK that can help you achieve your dreams and even offer some of the best career opportunities. Two of these top colleges in UK include Oxford University as well as Imperial college, which has been ranked 2nd and 3rd in QS world university rankings.
If you are planning to study in UK and find the whole process a little overwhelming, then you can seek help from Gradding.com’s study abroad experts, who will make everything easier for you.r for you.