The UK is the home of the world’s best universities in the world. University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, University of Bristol, etc., are some of the world’s ranking UK universities. Also, Leeds Trinity University, Swansea University, University of Staffordshire, etc., are some affordable universities in the UK.
However, in this blog we will discuss the best public universities in the UK, also indicate the affordable options, university rankings and so on. So, if you want to study in the UK this year, this blog will help you a lot.
What are the Public Universities in the UK?
There are two types of UK universities- Public and Private. While private universities are regulated by private organisations, public universities in the UK are funded and regulated by the UK government. Public universities in the UK are funded by the government’s direct financing council, but act as independent bodies.
They are regulated, checked, and ranked by the Office in England. The Office for Students has designed a Teaching Excellence Framework, criteria, based on which they rank public universities in terms of their education.
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Best Public Universities in the UK
According to the Gov.UK, the UK is ranked the top destination for international students. The UK’s public universities offer diverse programs and cultural experiences, making them attractive to students worldwide. Here is a list of the 10 best public universities in the UK for international students in 2025.
| University | QS World Rankings 2025 |
| Imperial College London | 2 |
| University of Oxford | 3 |
| University of Cambridge | 5 |
| UCL | 9 |
| The University of Manchester | 34 |
| King’s College London | 40 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 50 |
| The University of Warwick | 69 |
| University of Bath | 150 |
| University of Liverpool | 165 |
Affordable Universities in the UK
Tuition fees in the UK are cheaper than those in other top-ranked countries like the USA, Australia or Canada. However, international students always find the affordable universities in the UK, as studying abroad always seems costly than their home country. Let’s explore some affordable universities in the UK for international students.
| University | Complete University Guide 2025 |
| University of Strathclyde | 32nd |
| Northumbria University, Newcastle | 34th |
| Swansea University | 37th |
| Aston University, Birmingham | 39th |
| Ulster University | 42nd |
| Heriot-Watt University | 42nd |
| University of Stirling | 53rd |
| University of Chester | 56th |
| Coventry University | 67th |
| Bangor University | 68th |
Best Public Universities in London with Low Tuition Fees
Several public universities in London offer a combination of high-quality education and relatively low tuition fees compared to some of the more prestigious institutions. Let’s explore some public universities in UK with low tuition fees based in London:
- Ulster University
- Northumbria University
- Coventry University
- University of Greenwich
- London Metropolitan University
- University of East London (UEL)
- Middlesex University, etc.
Popular Public Universities in the UK with Scholarships
International students always look for scholarship opportunities. Let’s explore some public universities in the UK offering the highest scholarships.
- Ravensbourne University London
- University of Strathclyde
- Arden University
- UWE Bristol
- University of Greenwich
- University of East London, etc.
5 Prestigious Public Universities in the UK
Are you looking for the highly esteemed public universities in the UK? Alright! But always remember that the tuition fees of those universities are also high. Let’s explore 5 prestigious public universities in the UK for international students.
- King’s College London
- The University of Sheffield
- University of Nottingham
- University of Birmingham
- Durham University
Top Public Universities in the UK without IELTS
In the UK, the medium of communication is English. So, if you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must have to submit an English language proficiency certificate. However, students always get afraid of the English language proficiency tests like IELTS, PTE, GRE, etc. But there are some public universities in the UK without IELTS, which means they accept MOI from international students. Let’s explore the MOI accepted universities in the UK.
- University of South Wales
- University of Hertfordshire
- Bangor University
- University for the Creative Arts
- Birmingham City University
- University of Greenwich
- London Metropolitan University
- BPP University, etc.
Popular UK Courses for International Students
Your career doesn’t depend on a degree from the best university, but also on the best course you have chosen for your graduation. In the UK, your previous background doesn’t matter; you can choose a subject if you have an interest in it or if you have previous work experience in related fields. Let’s explore some popular UK courses for international students.
- Architecture
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Public Policy
- South Asian Studies
- Economics
- Law
- Business Management and Studies
- Finance
- Accounting
- Psychology
Why Choose a Public University over a Private University in the UK?
Though the education system, infrastructure are good at private universities but we always recommend students to choose among the public universities in the UK. Why? The reason is given below.
- Public universities in the UK are more spacious than private universities. A big campus, big classrooms is really helpful for students to improve their mental health.
- UK public universities are recognised worldwide.
- A degree from a public university helps international students to get jobs easily anywhere in the world.
- Public universities in the UK are funded by the government, and the tuition fee for the best courses in the UK taught in public universities is lower than for private universities.
How to Apply to a Public University in the UK?
Applications for all UK Universities happen through the UCAS portal. The Universities Admission Services is a platform that eases admissions by bringing all universities under one roof. To start your application for the public universities in the UK, have a look at our step-by-step guide:-
- Register with the UCAS portal and fill in the applications for your preferred subject and a public university.
- Pay an application fee of £25 for multiple applications and attach the required documents.
- Submit your application and wait for 6 to 8 weeks for the university to respond.
- If accepted, the public university will provide you with a CAS letter, which is very important for a UK Visa application.
- Apply for the UK student visa.
Final Words
The United Kingdom is the hub of the world’s top-tier universities. Not only that, the UK is also very flexible for international students. The UK student visa success rate for international students is 98%. That means if all your documents are authentic and if you meet every eligibility criteria your UK visa will be approved.
However, if you contact AIMS Education, our expert counsellor will help you to apply to the best public universities in the UK. Also, we ensure you a 100% visa success guarantee for the UK.
Ready to explore the best opportunities in the UK? Just submit the enquiry form and one of our education experts will contact you soon.
FAQ
Which UK university is best for international students?
Ans: Ulster University, Northumbria University, Coventry University, University of Greenwich, etc. are some best universities in the UK for international students.
Are public universities better than private in UK?
Ans: Yes, public universities are better than private universities in the UK for many reasons. Such as: worldwide recognition, affordable tuition fees, scholarships, etc.
Which is the no. 1 cheapest university in the UK?
Ans: Ulster is one of the cheapest universities in the UK for international students with standard scholarships.
Which university in the UK is easiest to get into?
Ans: The University of South Wales, the University of Hertfordshire, Bangor University, the University for the Creative Arts, Birmingham City University, etc., are some UK universities easy to get admission to.
Which UK university has the highest acceptance rate?
Ans: The University of Roehampton and the University for the Creative Arts has the highest acceptance rate for international students.
AIMS Education is the best study abroad consultancy firm guiding students in selecting courses, universities and help them apply and secure their student visas. Also, AIMS Education is a British Council-certified agent and is listed on the British Council global agent list. We provide student recruitment services in UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Finland, France, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia and UAE. Not only this but also AIMS Education is an ICEF Accredited Agent, UCAS Registered Centre, PTE and Language Cert Partner.