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.

Universities alphabetically

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 Notes
University of Aberdeen 1495 1495 15,185 King's College and Marischal College merged in 1860.
Abertay University 1888 1994 4,280 Dundee
Aberystwyth University 1872 2007 7,720
Anglia Ruskin University 1858 1992 26,715 Campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and London.
– Arden University 1990 2015 – Private, distance learning & blended learning, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Berlin
Aston University 1895 1966 15,385 Birmingham
Bangor University 1884 2007 9,945
University of Bath 1886 1966 18,560
– Bath Spa University 1852 2005 8,450
– University of Bedfordshire 1882 2006 16,725 Campuses in Luton and Bedford.
– BIMM University 2001 2022 8,000 Private university with campuses at Brighton, London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex, Dublin, Berlin
University of Birmingham 1825 1900 35,760
Birmingham City University 1843 1992 26,930
Birmingham Newman University 1973 2012 2,795
University College Birmingham 1957 2012 4,930 Despite its name, University College Birmingham holds full university status.[3]
Bishop Grosseteste University 1862 2012 2,280
University of Bolton 1824 2004 8,175
– Arts University Bournemouth 1880 2012 3,445
Bournemouth University 1900s 1992 17,390
– BPP University 1992 2013 15,000 Private, 6 London centres, 12 across rest of England, and 2 in Channel Islands.
University of Bradford 1832 1966 9,770
– University of Brighton 1858 1992 18,985
University of Bristol 1595 1909 27,375
Brunel University London 1798 1966 15,520 Campuses at Uxbridge and London
University of Buckingham 1973 1983 3,100 First private university in the UK
Buckinghamshire New University 1891 2007 14,075 High Wycombe
University of Cambridge 1209 1209–1226 21,340 Collegiate university. Established by migration from Oxford in 1209; organised under a chancellor by 1226[4]
Canterbury Christ Church University 1962 2005 13,340
Cardiff Metropolitan University 1865 2011 10,920 Formerly University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Cardiff University 1893 2005 33,260
University of Chester 1839 2005 13,545 Campuses at Chester and Warrington
University of Chichester 1977 2005 5,545
Coventry University 1970 1992 38,430 Includes CU Coventry, CU Scarborough and CU London
Cranfield University 1946 1993 4,825
– University for the Creative Arts 1856 2008 6,765 Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester
University of Cumbria 1890 2007 7,945 Main campus at Carlisle, with campuses at London, Lancaster, Penrith and Ambleside
De Montfort University 1870 1992 29,000 Leicester
University of Derby 1851 1992 19,685
University of Dundee 1881 1967 16,270
Durham University 1832 1832 19,520 Collegiate university
University of East Anglia 1963 1963 18,035 Norwich
University of East London 1898 1992 15,355
Edge Hill University 1885 2006 13,560 Ormskirk, Lancashire
University of Edinburgh 1583 1583 35,375
Edinburgh Napier University 1964 1992 13,930
University of Essex 1964 1965 16,530 Campuses at Colchester and Southend-on-Sea
University of Exeter 1838 1955 26,935
Falmouth University 1902 2012 6,245
University of Glasgow 1451 1451 32,465
Glasgow Caledonian University 1875 1993 17,540

Formed by the merger of The Queen's College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic.

University of Gloucestershire 1834 2001 7,915 Campuses at Cheltenham, Gloucester, and London.
University of Greenwich 1890 1992 19,825
Harper Adams University 1901 2012 4,680 Newport, Shropshire
Hartpury University 1947 2018 Gloucestershire
Heriot-Watt University 1821 1966 11,155 Campuses at Edinburgh and Galashiels
University of Hertfordshire 1952 1992 25,520 Hatfield
University of the Highlands and Islands 1992 2011 9,905 Federal university with a main campus at Inverness, and colleges at Elgin, Perth & across north and western Scotland
University of Huddersfield 1825 1992 17,305 Campuses at Huddersfield and Barnsley
University of Hull 1927 1954 14,255
Imperial College London 1907 2007 19,400 Despite its name, Imperial College holds full university status.[5]
Keele University 1949 1962 10,880 Staffordshire
University of Kent 1965 1965 18,710 Campuses at Canterbury and Medway. Collegiate university
Kingston University 1899 1992 18,070
University of Central Lancashire 1828 1992 24,715 Campuses at Preston and Burnley
Lancaster University 1964 1964 15,665 Collegiate university
University of Leeds 1831 1904 36,330 Formerly part of the federal Victoria University
– Leeds Arts University[6] 1846 2017 2,145
– Leeds Beckett University 1824 1992 23,290
Leeds Trinity University 1966 2012 4,985
University of Leicester 1921 1957 16,180
University of Lincoln 1861 1992 16,425 Campuses at Lincoln, Riseholme, and Holbeach
University of Liverpool 1881 1903 29,600 Formerly part of the federal Victoria University
Liverpool Hope University 1844 2005 4,985
Liverpool John Moores University 1823 1992 25,050
University of London 1836 1836 205,400[7] Federal university
London Metropolitan University 1848 2002 10,390 Formed by merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London
London School of Economics 1895 2022 12,050 Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right.
London South Bank University 1892 1992 16,840
Loughborough University 1909 1966 18,295
University of Manchester 1824 2004 40,485 Fromed 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 33,420
Middlesex University 1878 1992 20,175 London
Newcastle University 1834 1963 28,070
University of Northampton 1924 2005 12,060
– Northeastern University – London[8] 2010 2022 500 Subsidiary of Northeastern University in the US. Formerly the New College of the Humanities.
Northumbria University 1877 1992 28,325
– Norwich University of the Arts 1843 2013 2,360
University of Nottingham 1798 1948 34,840
Nottingham Trent University 1843 1992 35,785
The Open University 1969 1969 129,420 Milton Keynes (an open-access distance learning university)
University of Oxford 1096 1200–1214 25,910 Collegiate university. Teaching as early as 1096; schools organised into a university from c. 1200, with statutes given by a legatine charter in 1214.[9]
– Oxford Brookes University 1865 1992 16,900
Plymouth Marjon University 1993 2013 2,750 Formerly the University of St. Mark & St. John
– Arts University Plymouth 1856 2022 1,305
University of Plymouth 1862 1992 18,410
University of Portsmouth 1870 1992 26,775
Queen Margaret University 1875 2007 5,130 Edinburgh
Queen's University Belfast 1810 1908 24,915
– Ravensbourne University 1962 2018 2,535 London
University of Reading 1892 1926 18,735
– Regent's University London 1984 2013 2,171 Private university[10]
Richmond American University London 1972 2019 1,600 Private university
Robert Gordon University 1750 1992 12,660 Aberdeen
– Roehampton University 1975 2004 12,495 Collegiate university with four colleges
Royal Agricultural University 1845 2013 1,125 Cirencester
Royal Holloway, University of London[11] 1879 2022 11,530 Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right.
University of Salford 1850 1967 21,500
University of Sheffield 1897 1905 30,055
Sheffield Hallam University 1843 1992 30,960
University of South Wales 1841 2013 23,090 Merger of University of Wales, Newport and University of Glamorgan
University of Southampton 1862 1952 22,665
Solent University 1984 2005 10,510 Southampton
University of St Andrews 1413 1413 10,535
– St George's, University of London[12] 1733 2022 4,330 Member Institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right
St Mary's University, Twickenham 1850 2014 5,520
Staffordshire University 1906 1992 15,675 Campuses at Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and Lichfield
University of Stirling 1967 1967 12,540 Bridge of Allan
University of Strathclyde 1796 1964 24,330 Glasgow
– University of Suffolk 2007 2016 9,565 Campuses at Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft
– University of Sunderland 1901 1992 15,740
– University of Surrey 1891 1966 16,990 Guildford
University of Sussex 1959 1961 19,395 Brighton
Swansea University 1920 2007 20,375
– Teesside University 1930 1992 19,290 Campuses at Middlesbrough and Darlington
– University College London 1826 2023 46,830 Member institution of the University of London; since 2023 a university in its own right.
– University of the Arts London 1986 2003 19,965
Ulster University 1865 1984 27,680 Formed by merger of the New University of Ulster and Ulster Polytechnic
University of Law 1865 2012 8,000 Private university
University of Wales 1893 1893 Functionally merged with UWTSD in 2017 but still constitutionally separate[13]
– University of Wales Trinity Saint David 1822 2010 12,700 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 26,825 Coventry
– University of the West of England 1595 1992 30,680 Bristol
University of the West of Scotland 1897 1992 16,105 Campuses at Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries
– University of West London 1860 1993 11,985 Campuses at Ealing and Brentford
University of Westminster 1838 1992 19,470
– University of Winchester 1840 2005 8,000
University of Wolverhampton 1899 1992 18,875
– University of Worcester 1946 2005 10,180
Wrexham Glyndŵr University 1887 2008 6,045
University of York 1963 1963 19,790
York St John University 1841 2006 7,000

University colleges

This is a list of university colleges in the UK. Institutions included on this list are university colleges that are recognised bodies with their own degree awarding powers;[1] it does not include institutions with "university college" in their title that are listed bodies as parts of a university (see colleges within universities in the United Kingdom), or other institutions with "university college" in their title. Separate citations are given for institutions that have been awarded university college title recently and are not yet shown under that name on the recognised bodies list or which do not use the title in their name.
Arms University Established University college status Total students Notes
- AECC University College[14] 1965 2017 1,220 Bournemouth
- University College of Estate Management 1919 2013 4,000 Reading
- University College of Osteopathy 1917 2017 1,000 London
- Writtle University College 1893 2016 7,645 merged with Anglia Ruskin University in 2024

Member institutions of the University of London

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.[15] 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".[16]

Arms University Established Joined University of London Total students Notes
Birkbeck, University of London 1823 1920 11,425
City, University of London 1894 2016 19,975 Became as an independent university in 1966; surrendered university status in 2016 to join the University of London.[17]
None Royal Central School of Speech and Drama 1906 2005 1,100
None The Courtauld Institute of Art 1932 2002 545
Goldsmiths, University of London 1891 1905 10,090 Became an institution owned by the university in 1905[16] and a school of the university in 1988.[18]
None Institute of Cancer Research 1909 2003 280
King's College London 1829 1900 10,090 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.[16]
London Business School 1964 1964 2,390
London School of Economics 1895 1900 12,975 Original school of the university in 1900.[16]
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 1899 1900 12,975 Original school of the university in 1900.[16]
Queen Mary University of London 1785 1907 26,045
Royal Academy of Music 1822 1999 860
Royal Holloway, University of London 1879 1900 11,530 Original school of the university in 1900.[16] Since 2022 a university in its own right.[19]
- Royal Veterinary College 1791 1949 2,510
None St George's, University of London 1733 1900 4,330 Original school of the university in 1900.[16] Since 2022 a university in its own right.[20]
- SOAS University of London 1916 1916 6,295
None University College London 1826 1900 46,830 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.[16]

Other recognised bodies

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]

Recognised bodies that can only award foundation degrees

These institutions are recognised bodies with foundation degree awarding powers only.[1]

Defunct university institutions

This section lists defunct universities, university colleges, polytechnics and colleges of federal universities.

Former University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) main building, now used by The University of Manchester

Foreign universities with campuses in the United Kingdom

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, 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".[25][26] 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".[27] 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

Universities in British Overseas Territories are not considered UK Universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government.[33]

University of the West Indies in Mona

Anguilla

Bermuda

Cayman Islands

Main article: List of universities in the Cayman Islands

Gibraltar

Montserrat

Turks and Caicos Islands

Universities in Crown Dependencies

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[35][36] 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.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Check if a university or college is officially recognised". Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Existing regulatory data". Office for Students. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. ^ "University College Birmingham". HEFCE. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Early records". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine". HEFCE. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Leeds Arts University established as Leeds College of Art gains university status!". Leeds Arts University. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  7. ^ Combined total from "Where do HE students study?". HESA. HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 5 November 2023.. Included institutions are Birkbeck, 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 Central School of Speech and Drama, Royal Holloway, Royal Veterinary College, SOAS, St George's, UCL and the central institutes & activities.
  8. ^ "Regulatory case report for university title for NCH at Northeastern Limited". Office for Students. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  9. ^ Jacques Verger (16 October 2003). "Patterns". In Hilde de Ridder-Symoens; Walter Rüegg (eds.). A History of the University in Europe. Vol. 1, Universities in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9780521541138. 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
  10. ^ https://www.regents.ac.uk/
  11. ^ "Royal Holloway and Bedford New College" (PDF). The Privy Council Office. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  12. ^ "St George's, University of London Scheme" (PDF). St George's, University of London. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Merger FAQs" (PDF). University of Wales. January 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  14. ^ "AECC University College". HEFCE. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  15. ^ "UCL statement on University of London Act 2018". University College London. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h University of London, the Historical Record: (1836-1912). University of London. 1912. pp. 5–24, 84–86.
  17. ^ Jack Grove (16 July 2015). "City University London to join University of London". Times Higher Education.
  18. ^ "Goldsmiths' College archives". AIM25 Archives in London and the M25 area. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Royal Holloway and Bedford New College" (PDF). The Privy Council Office. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  20. ^ "St George's, University of London Scheme" (PDF). St George's, University of London. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Regulatory activity for individual providers". Office for Students. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  22. ^ Richard Adams (7 October 2020). "Dyson technology institute to be given power to award its own degrees". The Guardian.
  23. ^ Sean Coughlan (29 October 2020). "New college opening with degrees with no subjects". BBC News.
  24. ^ "Euan Blair apprenticeship firm gets licence to award degrees". The Guardian. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Tier 4 (General) student visa". Government of the United Kingdom. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  26. ^ "Register of licensed sponsors: students". UK Visas and Immigration. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Check if a university or college is officially recognised". Government of the United Kingdom. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Amity Global Education Ltd t/a Amity University [In] London" (PDF). Quality Assurance Agency. November 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  29. ^ "The Bader International Study Centre". Queen's University, Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  30. ^ "About Us – History, Facts and Features". Harlaxton College. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Harlow Campus". Memorial University. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  32. ^ "PHBS-UK". Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Recognised UK degrees". Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  34. ^ http://www.usat.ms Archived 29 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ "Channel Islands university supported by Guernsey States". BBC. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  36. ^ "University of the Channel Islands in Guernsey: Vision Statement". Susan Jackson Associates. September 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  37. ^ "Guernsey 'could have its own university'". itv.com. 16 February 2017.

External links

Universities in the United Kingdom
Defunct universities and colleges in the United Kingdom
University associations and groupings in the United Kingdom
Links to related articles
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