The UK’s academic reputation is world-renowned. Built on a heritage that is now centuries old, our approach to education applies the very latest learning theory through universities that routinely top international tables. Our innovative teaching methods produce successful, versatile graduates who are sought-after by employers around the world.

World-ranked universities

UK universities have featured strongly in world rankings ever since they began. In 2018 the Times Higher Education World Rankings honoured us with three of the world’s top ten universities, including the top two – the University of Oxford  and the University of Cambridge. This high quality can be found right across the country, with seven of the top 50, and 32 of the top 200 universities found here in the UK.

Quality that’s government-guaranteed

The UK’s 162 higher education institutions are all held to strict standards by the government, so you know you are getting the best teaching, support and resources available.

A full list of 'recognised bodies' - universities and colleges that can award degrees – is published every year, to make it easy for students to see the comparative quality on offer up and down the country – and ensure they’re qualification will have credibility overseas.

The Register of Regulated Qualifications contains details of Recognised Awarding Organisations and Regulated Qualifications in England (Ofqual), Wales (Welsh Government) and Northern Ireland (Ofqual for vocational qualifications and CCEA Accreditation for all other qualifications). For Scottish qualifications, please visit the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework website.

Innovative teaching methods

Our universities combine traditional lectures with a variety of innovative teaching techniques, designed to encourage independent thinking, problem-solving skills and self-motivation. You will be working in small groups solving real-life problems from your future career, whether in the classroom, the lab or on field trips.You will have access to leading technology, from state-of-the-art laboratories to interactive screens and online-learning.

You will have an opportunity to learn from the very best in your field: many teachers in UK universities are industry leaders in their field, and you will have one-to-one access to them where you will be able to learn from their vast experience. Our institutions also cultivate industry relationships, allowing you to get practical experience in your field within world-leading organisations, and make connections to give your career an edge.

World-leading research

The consistently high quality of education in the UK has made us a firm favourite with international students all over the world, and helped to keep us at the forefront of global research.

We’re ranked second in the world for science and research and 54 per cent of our output is world-leading. Our field-weighted citation impact is higher than the US, Canada, Germany, Japan and Brazil, so when you study here you can be sure you’ll be working alongside some of the best minds – and using some of the best technology- in the world.

Read more about our international research profile