Top Public Universities in the UK for International Students in 2026

Lakshmi

5 min read

Updated On Oct 4, 2025

Top Public Universities in the UK for International Students in 2026

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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

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
Chevening Scholarships UK	Must belong to a Chevening-eligible country (like India) Must have at least 2 years of work experience and strong leadership qualities	Full tuition, living expenses, travel
Commonwealth Scholarships	Must have a strong academic history throughout the education so far	Full tuition + stipend + airfare
GREAT Scholarships	Must have received an admission offer letter from a participating UK university	GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees
Rhodes Scholarship	Must have an outstanding academic track record Must have proven leadership skills and commitment to community service	Full tuition + living allowance
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	This scholarship is open to international students who are applying to the University of Cambridge Students must have exceptional academic excellence and leadership potential	Full tuition + stipend + travel
UCL Global Scholarships	Must be an international student from a low-income background Must have a strong academic track record	Partial to full tuition waiver
Imperial College Scholarships	This is a high academic merit scholarship for students in science, engineering, or business	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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do UK Public universities accept international students?

Yes, UK Public Universities accept approximately 15% international students each year. To provide financial aid and help to international students, many scholarships are also funded by the University as well as the government each year.

Is public university free in the UK?

No, Public universities are not free in the UK but some universities have waived off the tuition fees and only demand for the administration and accommodation fees. The average cost of living in the UK for students is also reduced when the scholarships are provided by the universities or the government.

What is the average cost of living in the UK per year?

The average cost of living in the UK for international students is around £10,000 - £18,600 per year. The cost of living in the UK includes costs like food, groceries, household bills and much more. However, this cost is subjective and depends upon the needs and wants of an individual.

Is education free in the UK for Indian students?

No, education is not free in the UK for international students as well as Indian students. However, numerous scholarships, waivers and educational awards are available for the students. For more information regarding that, one is advised to visit the official website of their potential university.

Which city has the best universities in the UK?

London is considered to be the hub of the best public universities in the UK. Approximately 15% of the international students prefer to reside in London for a better educational environment as well as an enriching college experience.

Top Public Universities in the UK for International Students in 2026

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