Top Public Universities in the UK for International Students in 2026
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Table of Contents
- Best Public Universities in the UK for International Students
- 10 Best Public Universities in the UK for 2026
- 5 Best Public Universities in the UK Without IELTS in 2026
- 5 Best Public Universities in the UK With Low Tuition Fees in 2026
- 5 Best Public Universities in the UK for Master’s Degree
- 5 Best Public Universities in the UK for Bachelor’s Degree
- Why Study at Public Universities in the UK in 2026?
- Eligibility Requirements to Study at Top Public Universities in the UK in 2026
- Best Scholarships Offered at Public Universities in the UK for International Students
- Fulfill Your Aspiration to Study at Top Public Universities in the UK With GetGIS Assistance
Public universities in the UK are globally recognised for their academic excellence, student diversity, and strong research achievements. There are more than 130 public universities in the United Kingdom that attract over 680,000 international students annually, making the UK one of the popular study destinations in the world.
These publicly funded universities in the UK, like Oxford University, University of Cambridge, etc, offer affordable tuition fees compared to private universities while also ranking among the top universities in the world. In today’s article, we will explore the top British public universities in the UK for international students.
Best Public Universities in the UK for International Students
With so many public universities in the UK offering great value and exceptional courses for international students, choosing the right university does pose a challenge. A few details about the best UK public universities for international students include:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Best Public UK Universities for International Students |
Imperial College London University of Oxford University of Cambridge |
|
Top Public Universities Without IELTS |
University of Central Lancashire University of Greenwich University of Northampton |
|
Top Cheap Public Universities in the UK |
Staffordshire University Leeds Trinity University University of Cumbria |
|
Intakes at Public Universities in the UK |
Fall Intake Winter Intake Summer Intake |
|
Scholarships Offered at Public Universities in the UK |
Commonwealth Masters Scholarships The Chevening Scholarships Cambridge Masters Scholarships |
10 Best Public Universities in the UK for 2026
The best public universities in UK for you which offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various diversified ranges are combined below with their rankings as well as fees.
|
University Name |
QS Ranking 2026 |
Annual Fees (in GBP) |
|
Imperial College London |
2 |
32,000 - 33,000 |
|
University of Oxford |
4 |
25,000 - 34,000 |
|
University of Cambridge |
6 |
22,000 - 58,000 |
|
University College London |
9 |
20,000 - 28,000 |
|
King’s College London |
31 |
15,000 - 26,000 |
|
University of Edinburgh |
34 |
24,000 - 35,000 |
|
University of Manchester |
35 |
12,000 - 45,000 |
|
University of Bristol |
51 |
22,000 - 26,000 |
|
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
56 |
27,000 - 34,000 |
|
University of Warwick |
74 |
27,000 - 36,000 |
Also read: Best Universities in UK for MBA
5 Best Public Universities in the UK Without IELTS in 2026
Several public universities in the UK allow international students to gain admission even without IELTS, given that you meet the alternative English proficiency requirements, such as proof of previous education in English or any other accepted English language test score.
|
University Name |
Average Annual Tuition Fees (in GBP) |
|
University of Central Lancashire |
17,000 - 49,000 |
|
University of Greenwich |
15,000 - 21,000 |
|
University of Northampton |
21,000 - 27,500 |
|
University of Plymouth |
14,000 - 40,000 |
|
University of Portsmouth |
16,000 - 26,000 |
Also Read: 1-Year Courses in UK
5 Best Public Universities in the UK With Low Tuition Fees in 2026
Affordable education has been a necessity for many students seeking options that balance affordability with quality of education. The following universities provide excellent opportunities for students aiming for programs with lower tuition fees:
|
University Name |
Average Annual Tuition Fee (in GBP) |
|
Staffordshire University |
16,700 - 19,000 |
|
Leeds Trinity University |
12,000 - 15,000 |
|
University of Cumbria |
13,000 - 16,000 |
|
London Metropolitan University |
13,200 - 14,500 |
|
University of Bolton |
9,000 - 15,000 |
5 Best Public Universities in the UK for Master’s Degree
Master’s degrees in the UK are typically one year in duration, making them both time-efficient and cost-effective. The list of the best universities for master's in the UK includes:
|
University Name |
Average Annual Tuition Fee (in GBP) |
|
University of Oxford |
25,000 - 34,000 |
|
University of Cambridge |
22,000 - 58,000 |
|
Imperial College London |
32,000 - 33,000 |
|
London School of Economics (LSE) |
27,000 - 30,000 |
|
University College London (UCL) |
20,000 - 28,000 |
Also Read: Top 10 Universities in the UK for Masters
5 Best Public Universities in the UK for Bachelor’s Degree
Though not as popular as master's and MBA programs among international students, the bachelor’s programs in the UK also provide good opportunities with great emphasis on subject specialization and research. The United Kingdom education system incorporates globally respected teaching methods, some of which include the Oxford and Cambridge tutorial systems. The top publicly funded universities in the UK for 2026 include:
|
University Name |
Average Annual Tuition Fee (in GBP) |
|
University of Oxford |
25,000 - 34,000 |
|
University of Cambridge |
22,000 - 58,000 |
|
University of St Andrews |
25,000 - 35,000 |
|
Imperial College London |
32,000 - 33,000 |
|
London School of Economics (LSE) |
27,000 - 30,000 |
Why Study at Public Universities in the UK in 2026?
The United Kingdom has been the dream destination of millions. All the more, the below-listed reasons favor that.
- Exceptional Quality Education: Students from all over the world dream of getting an acceptance letter from the best university of UK. All of it is because of the education they provide and the value it holds worldwide.
- Time period privilege: The courses in the UK are shorter as compared to the courses elsewhere. Students can easily complete their education in a short span of time.
- Multi-Cultural Environment: More than 15% of the population in the UK is of international people. The diverse cultures and wholesome environment levels up the educational experience.
- Professional opportunities: The employment and internship opportunities offered by the best public universities in the UK are above the level of every other university in the world.
- Easy Scholarships: One can easily get a scholarship to study in the UK which helps with the financial burden and the cost of living in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements to Study at Top Public Universities in the UK in 2026
International students, in order to secure admission in the UK universities, would need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must have a minimum score of 60% in bachelor's (for PG admissions) and 65% in high school (for UG admissions)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Proof of funds of at least GBP 1,300 per month
- Exams for study abroad scores (like GRE, GMAT, etc)
- English language proficiency test scores, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or other accepted tests
Best Scholarships Offered at Public Universities in the UK for International Students
To make your study experience in the UK affordable, apart from the cheapest universities in the UK, you can also apply for financial aid options available in the UK for international students. The best scholarships to study in the UK include:
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Grant Details |
|
Full tuition, living expenses, travel |
|
|
Full tuition + stipend + airfare |
|
|
GREAT Scholarships |
|
GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees |
|
Rhodes Scholarship |
|
Full tuition + living allowance |
|
Gates Cambridge Scholarship |
|
Full tuition + stipend + travel |
|
UCL Global Scholarships |
|
Partial to full tuition waiver |
|
Imperial College Scholarships |
|
Partial/full tuition + living grants |
Fulfill Your Aspiration to Study at Top Public Universities in the UK With GetGIS Assistance
Now that international students have the opportunity to explore affordable education options and also gain prestigious scholarships, studying in the UK can be considered both rewarding and achievable. To further simplify your UK admission process and secure a scholarship and student visa, you can reach out for expert assistance from GetGIS study abroad experts.
Book Your Free Consultation and let’s get started.
Also Read
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
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