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 2019/20, breaks down student enrollment by level of study, while the second list, from the more recent academic year 2021/22, provides a total student enrollment 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 2018/19 academic year, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) recorded 666,815 overseas students, with the majority (260,155) enrolled at Oxford Brookes University, primarily studying Association of Chartered Certified Accountants courses. Other universities with significant numbers of overseas students in 2018/19 included the University of London Worldwide (40,675), the Open University (29,610), Coventry (16,785), Nottingham (15,740), Liverpool (14,730), Heriot-Watt (11,955), Staffordshire (11,900), and Middlesex (11,890).[1]

Universities and other higher education providers by size and level of study (2019/20)

The source for the figures is the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics for 2019/20.[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 enrollments, not FTEs. The data show that 2.28 million people were enrolled in higher education at the 169 higher education providers reporting statistics to HESA.

Rank Institution Undergraduates Postgraduates Total students
– University of London[a] [3]
1 The Open University 120,440 8,975 129,420
2 University College London[b] 19,715 21,380 41,095
3 University of Manchester 26,630 13,855 40,485
4 Coventry University 31,645 6,785 38,430
5 University of Leeds 25,955 10,370 36,330
6 Nottingham Trent University 28,915 6,870 35,785
7 University of Birmingham 23,155 12,605 35,760
8 University of Edinburgh 23,060 12,310 35,375
9 University of Nottingham 25,980 8,860 34,840
10 Manchester Metropolitan University 26,435 6,985 33,420
11 Cardiff University 23,755 9,505 33,260
12 King's College London[b] 19,370 13,740 33,110
13 University of Glasgow 21,165 11,300 32,465
14 Sheffield Hallam University 24,215 6,750 30,960
15 University of the West of England 23,110 7,570 30,680
16 University of Sheffield 19,100 10,955 30,055
17 University of Liverpool 22,690 6,910 29,600
18 De Montfort University 23,045 5,955 29,000
19 Northumbria University 20,455 7,875 28,325
20 Newcastle University 21,300 6,775 28,070
21 Ulster University 20,865 6,815 27,680
22 University of Bristol 20,035 7,340 27,375
23 University of Exeter 20,320 6,615 26,935
24 Birmingham City University 20,940 5,990 26,930
25 University of Warwick 17,635 9,190 26,825
26 University of Portsmouth 22,010 4,765 26,775
27 Anglia Ruskin University 21,280 5,435 26,715
28 University of Oxford 15,270 10,640 25,910
29 University of Hertfordshire 17,805 7,715 25,520
30 Liverpool John Moores University 20,105 4,945 25,050
31 Queen's University Belfast 18,310 6,605 24,915
32 University of Central Lancashire 17,835 6,885 24,715
33 University of Strathclyde 16,115 8,215 24,330
34 Leeds Beckett University 17,705 5,590 23,290
35 University of South Wales 17,765 5,325 23,090
36 University of Southampton 14,705 7,960 22,665
37 Queen Mary, University of London[b] 14,825 6,840 21,665
38 University of Salford 17,325 4,175 21,500
39 University of Cambridge 12,860 8,475 21,340
40 Swansea University 16,315 4,065 20,375
41 Middlesex University 14,880 5,290 20,175
42 University of Brighton 15,530 3,455 18,985
43 City, University of London[b] 11,020 8,955 19,975
44 University of Plymouth 15,660 2,750 18,410
45 University of York 14,075 5,715 19,790
46 University of Kent 15,020 3,685 18,710
47 University of Sussex 14,780 4,615 19,395
48 University of Derby 15,320 4,365 19,685
49 Imperial College London 10,475 8,925 19,400
50 University of the Arts London 15,735 4,230 19,965
51 University of Wolverhampton 15,205 3,670 18,875
52 Durham University 14,730 4,790 19,520
53 University of Greenwich 14,580 5,245 19,825
54 University of Westminster 15,385 4,085 19,470
55 Teesside University 15,480 3,815 19,290
56 University of Bath 13,605 4,955 18,560
57 Loughborough University 13,885 4,410 18,295
58 University of East Anglia 13,410 4,625 18,035
59 Bournemouth University 13,895 3,495 17,390
60 University of Reading 12,630 6,105 18,735
61 University of Huddersfield 13,600 3,705 17,305
62 London South Bank University 12,725 4,115 16,840
63 University of the West of Scotland 13,465 2,640 16,105
64 Glasgow Caledonian University 14,165 3,375 17,540
65 University of Leicester 11,400 4,780 16,180
66 Kingston University 12,770 5,300 18,070
67 University of Surrey 13,485 3,505 16,990
68 Oxford Brookes University 12,710 4,185 16,900
69 University of Hull 11,930 2,325 14,255
70 University of Dundee 11,670 4,600 16,270
71 University of Lincoln 14,095 2,330 16,425
72 University of Essex 12,910 3,620 16,530
73 Aston University 11,985 3,400 15,385
74 Staffordshire University 13,295 2,380 15,675
75 Brunel University London 11,460 4,060 15,520
76 University of Aberdeen 10,125 5,060 15,185
77 University of Sunderland 12,580 3,160 15,740
78 University of Chester 9,230 4,315 13,545
79 Lancaster University 11,405 4,260 15,665
80 Canterbury Christ Church University 10,795 2,545 13,340
81 University of Bedfordshire 13,155 3,575 16,725
82 Edge Hill University 10,025 3,535 13,560
83 Edinburgh Napier University 10,260 3,675 13,930
84 University of East London 10,270 5,085 15,355
85 Roehampton University 10,365 2,130 12,495
86 University of Stirling 8,545 3,995 12,540
87 Robert Gordon University 9,085 3,580 12,660
88 University of Northampton 9,145 2,915 12,060
89 London School of Economics[b] 5,160 6,895 12,050
90 Birkbeck, University of London[b] 6,680 4,745 11,425
91 University of Wales Trinity Saint David 10,680 2,025 12,700
92 University of West London 9,815 2,170 11,985
93 Royal Holloway, University of London[b] 8,530 3,005 11,530
94 Buckinghamshire New University 12,895 1,180 14,075
95 Heriot-Watt University 8,150 3,005 11,155
96 Keele University 8,490 2,395 10,880
97 Cardiff Metropolitan University 8,100 2,820 10,920
98 University of St Andrews 8,470 2,065 10,535
99 Goldsmiths, University of London[b] 6,500 3,590 10,090
100 Bangor University 7,235 2,715 9,945
101 University of Worcester 8,400 1,780 10,180
102 Solent University 9,765 745 10,510
103 University of Bradford 7,480 2,290 9,770
104 University of the Highlands and Islands 8,670 1,235 9,905
105 London Metropolitan University 8,250 2,135 10,390
106 University of Gloucestershire 6,385 1,530 7,915
107 Aberystwyth University 6,605 1,115 7,720
108 Bath Spa University 6,665 1,790 8,450
109 University of Winchester 6,700 1,305 8,000
110 University of Suffolk 8,910 650 9,565
111 University of Cumbria 5,980 1,965 7,945
112 University of Bolton 6,675 1,500 8,175
113 York St John University 5,700 1,300 7,000
114 University for the Creative Arts 5,985 780 6,765
115 Falmouth University 5,500 745 6,245
116 Wrexham Glyndŵr University 4,885 1,160 6,045
117 School of Oriental and African Studies[b] 2,740 3,050 5,795
118 St Mary's University, Twickenham 3,670 1,855 5,520
119 University of Chichester 4,395 1,150 5,545
120 Queen Margaret University 3,510 1,615 5,130
121 Leeds Trinity University 4,220 760 4,985
121 Liverpool Hope University 3,895 1,090 4,985
123 University College Birmingham 4,435 495 4,930
124 Cranfield University 4,825 4,825
125 Harper Adams University 4,125 555 4,680
126 St George's, University of London[b] 3,520 810 4,330
127 Abertay University 3,835 445 4,280
128 Arts University Bournemouth 3,270 175 3,445
128 University of Buckingham 1,645 1,460 3,100
130 Newman University 2,170 620 2,795
131 University of St Mark and St John 2,215 535 2,750
132 Ravensbourne 2,485 45 2,535
133 Royal Veterinary College[b] 2,025 490 2,510
134 Royal College of Art 85 2,565 2,645
135 Norwich University of the Arts 2,265 95 2,360
136 Glasgow School of Art 1,665 710 2,380
137 Bishop Grosseteste University 1,665 615 2,280
138 London Business School[b] 2,305 2,305
139 Leeds Arts University 2,075 70 2,145
140 Hartpury University
141 SRUC 1,485 85 1,570
142 Stranmillis University College 1,070 140 1,210
143 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 815 185 1,000
144 Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
145 Arts University Plymouth 1,210 95 1,305
146 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 900 320 1,220
147 Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 950 300 1,250
148 Leeds College of Music
149 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine[b] 1,090 1,090
150 Royal Agricultural University 1,015 110 1,125
151 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 685 370 1,060
152 Royal Central School of Speech and Drama[b] 690 410 1,100
153 St Mary's University College, Belfast 845 200 1,045
154 Royal Northern College of Music 595 295 890
155 Royal Academy of Music[b] 420 435 860
156 Royal College of Music 440 450 890
157 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 865 15 885
158 Writtle University College 670 95 765
159 Rose Bruford College 670 65 735
160 AECC University College
161 Courtauld Institute of Art[b] 230 315 545
162 University College of Osteopathy
163 Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 345 345
164 National Film and Television School 495 495
165 Institute of Cancer Research[b] 280 280
166 University of London (Institutes and activities) 330 330
167 Grŵp NPTC Group
168 Gower College Swansea
169 University of Wales (central functions)

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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The University of Greenwich 26,610
32 The 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 The 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 The University of Wolverhampton 20,250
54 The University of the West of Scotland 20,070
55 Glasgow Caledonian University 20,050
56 The University of Sunderland 19,975
57 Kingston University 19,920
58 The University of Sussex 19,865
59 The 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 The University of West London 18,695
68 Brunel University London 18,655
69 Staffordshire University 18,460
70 The University of Kent 18,155
71 The University of Essex 18,110
72 The University of Dundee 18,100
73 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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, Edinburgh 6,250
124 The 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 The 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 Newman University 2,760
140 Norwich University of the Arts 2,760
141 The 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 Limited 1,865
151 Kaplan Open Learning 1,835
152 SRUC 1,700
153 Hult International Business School Ltd 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 Limited 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 The 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 The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust 995
175 Royal College of Music 995
176 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 990
177 ACM Guildford Limited 960
178 Pearson College 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 Europe Business School 605
193 Courtauld Institute of Art 600
194 The National Film and Television School 555
195 Le Cordon Bleu Limited 555
196 Met Film School Limited 530
197 The 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 Ltd 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 The Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education 340
211 London Film School Limited 340
212 London Studio Centre 320
213 London School of Commerce & IT Limited 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 Ltd 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 150
243 University Centre Quayside Limited 150
244 The Cambridge Theological Federation 145
245 London School of Academics Ltd 140
246 Dartington Hall Trust (The) 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 Limited 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 The 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 Limited 40
275 The Salvation Army 40
276 Court Theatre Training Company Ltd 35
277 New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) 35
278 LCCM AU UK Limited 30
279 ICOM 30
280 The Engineering and Design Institute London 25
281 JSA Education Group Ltd. 20
282 The Prince's Foundation 20
283 Brit College 15
284 Waltham International College Limited 10
285 Kensington College of Business 5


See also

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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Constituent college of the University of London.

References

  1. ^ "Where do HE students come from?: Transnational education". HESA. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. ^ Combined total from "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2020.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.
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