From HandWiki - Reading time: 27 min
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.
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 | City | Region | Established | University status |
Total students (2018/19)[3] |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | Aberdeen | Scotland | 1495 | 1495 | King's College and Marischal College merged in 1860. | ||
| Abertay University | Dundee | Scotland | 1888 | 1994 | Dundee | ||
| Aberystwyth University | Aberystwyth | Wales | 1872 | 2007 | |||
| Anglia Ruskin University | Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough |
East of England | 1858 | 1992 | Campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and London. | ||
| None | Arden University | Coventry | West Midlands | 1990 | 2015 | Private, distance learning & blended learning, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Berlin | |
| University of the Arts London | London | London | 1986 | 2003 | The university is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, the London College of Communication, the London College of Fashion and the Wimbledon College of Arts | ||
| None | Arts University Bournemouth | Bournemouth | South West England | 1880 | 2012 | ||
| None | Arts University Plymouth | Plymouth | South West England | 1856 | 2022 | ||
| Aston University | Birmingham | West Midlands | 1895 | 1966 | Birmingham | ||
| Bangor University | Bangor | Wales | 1884 | 2007 | |||
| None | Bath Spa University | Bath | South West England | 1852 | 2005 | ||
| University of Bath | Bath | South West England | 1886 | 1966 | |||
| None | University of Bedfordshire | Bedford, Luton |
East of England | 1882 | 2006 | Campuses in Luton and Bedford. | |
| None | BIMM University | Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Corringham, Leeds, London, Manchester |
Multi-region (England) | 2001 | 2022 | Private university with campuses at Brighton, London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex, Dublin, Berlin | |
| Birkbeck, University of London | London | London | 1823 | 2023 | Member institution of the University of London. University in its own right since 2023. | ||
| University of Birmingham | Birmingham | West Midlands | 1825 | 1900 | |||
| Birmingham City University | Birmingham | West Midlands | 1843 | 1992 | |||
| Birmingham Newman University | Birmingham | West Midlands | 1973 | 2012 | |||
| Bournemouth University | Bournemouth | South West England | 1900s | 1992 | |||
| None | BPP University | Abingdon, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester |
Multi-region (England) | 1992 | 2013 | Private, 6 London centres, 12 across rest of England, and 2 in Channel Islands. | |
| University of Bradford | Bradford | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1832 | 1966 | |||
| None | University of Brighton | Brighton and Hove | South East England | 1858 | 1992 | ||
| University of Bristol | Bristol | South West England | 1595 | 1909 | |||
| Brunel University of London | London | London | 1798 | 1966 | Campus at Uxbridge, London. Member institution of the University of London. | ||
| University of Buckingham | Buckingham | South East England | 1973 | 1983 | First private university in the UK | ||
| Buckinghamshire New University | High Wycombe | South East England | 1891 | 2007 | High Wycombe | ||
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge | East of England | 1209 | 1209–1226 | Collegiate university. Established by migration from Oxford in 1209; organised under a chancellor by 1226[4] | ||
| Canterbury Christ Church University | Canterbury | South East England | 1962 | 2005 | |||
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cardiff | Wales | 1865 | 2011 | Formerly University of Wales Institute Cardiff | ||
| Cardiff University | Cardiff | Wales | 1893 | 2005 | |||
| University of Chester | Chester | North West England | 1839 | 2005 | Campuses at Chester and Warrington | ||
| University of Chichester | Chichester | South East England | 1977 | 2005 | |||
| City St George's, University of London | London | London | 1834 | 2024 | Member institution of the University of London. Formed in 2024 by merger of City, University of London and St George's, University of London. | ||
| Coventry University | Coventry | West Midlands | 1970 | 1992 | Includes CU Coventry, CU Scarborough and CU London | ||
| Cranfield University | Cranfield | East of England | 1946 | 1993 | |||
| University for the Creative Arts | Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham |
South East England | 1856 | 2008 | Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester | ||
| University of Cumbria | Carlisle | North West England | 1890 | 2007 | Main campus at Carlisle, with campuses at London, Lancaster, Penrith and Ambleside | ||
| De Montfort University | Leicester | East Midlands | 1870 | 1992 | Leicester | ||
| University of Derby | Derby | East Midlands | 1851 | 1992 | |||
| University of Dundee | Dundee | Scotland | 1881 | 1967 | |||
| Durham University | Durham | North East England | 1832 | 1832 | Collegiate university | ||
| University of East Anglia | Norwich | East of England | 1963 | 1963 | Norwich | ||
| University of East London | London | London | 1898 | 1992 | |||
| Edge Hill University | Ormskirk | North West England | 1885 | 2006 | Ormskirk, Lancashire | ||
| Edinburgh Napier University | Edinburgh | Scotland | 1964 | 1992 | |||
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh | Scotland | 1583 | 1583 | |||
| University of Essex | Colchester | East of England | 1964 | 1965 | Campuses at Colchester and Southend-on-Sea | ||
| University of Exeter | Exeter | South West England | 1838 | 1955 | |||
| Falmouth University | Falmouth, Penryn |
South West England | 1902 | 2012 | |||
| Glasgow Caledonian University | Glasgow | Scotland | 1875 | 1993 |
Formed by the merger of The Queen's College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic. | ||
| University of Glasgow | Glasgow | Scotland | 1451 | 1451 | |||
| University of Gloucestershire | Cheltenham, Gloucester |
South West England | 1834 | 2001 | Two campuses at Cheltenham and two at Gloucester. | ||
| Goldsmiths, University of London | London | London | 1891 | 2024 | A member institution of the University of London. Since 2013 Goldsmiths has had its own degree awarding power.[5] | ||
| University of Greater Manchester | Bolton | North West England | 1824 | 2004 | Previously called the University of Bolton | ||
| University of Greenwich | London | London | 1890 | 1992 | |||
| Harper Adams University | Edgmond | West Midlands | 1901 | 2012 | Newport, Shropshire | ||
| Hartpury University | Hartpury | South West England | 1947 | 2018 | Gloucestershire | ||
| None | Health Sciences University | Bournemouth | South West England | 1917 | 2024 | Bournemouth and London | |
| Heriot-Watt University | Edinburgh | Scotland | 1821 | 1966 | Campuses at Edinburgh and Galashiels | ||
| University of Hertfordshire | Hatfield | East of England | 1952 | 1992 | Hatfield | ||
| University of the Highlands and Islands | Inverness | Scotland | 1992 | 2011 | Federal university with a main campus at Inverness, and colleges at Elgin, Perth & across north and western Scotland | ||
| University of Huddersfield | Huddersfield | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1825 | 1992 | Campuses at Huddersfield and Barnsley | ||
| University of Hull | Kingston upon Hull | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1927 | 1954 | |||
| Imperial College London | London | London | 1907 | 2007 | Despite its name, Imperial College holds full university status.[6] | ||
| Keele University | Keele | West Midlands | 1949 | 1962 | Staffordshire | ||
| University of Kent | Canterbury | South East England | 1965 | 1965 | Campuses at Canterbury and Medway. Collegiate university | ||
| King's College London | London | London | 1829 | 2023 | Member institution of the University of London. Since 2008 King's awarded its own degrees.[7] | ||
| Kingston University | London | London | 1899 | 1992 | Kingston upon Thames | ||
| University of Lancashire | Preston | North West England | 1828 | 1992 | Campuses at Preston and Burnley. | ||
| Lancaster University | Lancaster | North West England | 1964 | 1964 | Collegiate university | ||
| University of Law | Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham |
Multi-region (England) | 1865 | 2012 | 8,000 | Private university | |
| None | Leeds Arts University[8] | Leeds | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1846 | 2017 | ||
| Leeds Beckett University | Leeds | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1824 | 1992 | |||
| Leeds Trinity University | Leeds | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1966 | 2012 | |||
| University of Leeds | Leeds | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1831 | 1904 | Formerly part of the federal Victoria University | ||
| University of Leicester | Leicester | East Midlands | 1921 | 1957 | |||
| Lincoln Bishop University | Lincoln | East Midlands | 1862 | 2012 | Lincoln | ||
| University of Lincoln | Lincoln | East Midlands | 1861 | 1992 | Campuses at Lincoln, Riseholme, and Holbeach | ||
| Liverpool Hope University | Liverpool | North West England | 1844 | 2005 | |||
| Liverpool John Moores University | Liverpool | North West England | 1823 | 1992 | |||
| University of Liverpool | Liverpool | North West England | 1881 | 1903 | Formerly part of the federal Victoria University | ||
| London Metropolitan University | London | London | 1848 | 2002 | Formed by merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London | ||
| London School of Economics | London | London | 1895 | 2022 | Member institution of the University of London. Since 2008 the LSE has awarded its own degrees.[9] | ||
| London South Bank University | London | London | 1892 | 1992 | |||
| University of London | London | London | 1836 | 1836 | 205,400[10] | Federal university | |
| Loughborough University | Loughborough | East Midlands | 1909 | 1966 | |||
| Manchester Metropolitan University | Manchester | North West England | 1824 | 1992 | |||
| University of Manchester | Manchester | North West England | 1824 | 2004 | Formed by merger of the Victoria University of Manchester (itself formed by the merger of Owens College and the Victoria University) and UMIST in 2004 | ||
| Middlesex University | London | London | 1878 | 1992 | London | ||
| Newcastle University | Newcastle | North East England | 1834 | 1963 | |||
| University of Northampton | Northampton | East Midlands | 1924 | 2005 | |||
| None | Northeastern University – London[11] | London | London | 2010 | 2022 | Subsidiary of Northeastern University in the US. Formerly the New College of the Humanities. | |
| Northumbria University | Newcastle | North East England | 1877 | 1992 | |||
| None | Norwich University of the Arts | Norwich | East of England | 1843 | 2013 | ||
| Nottingham Trent University | Nottingham | East Midlands | 1843 | 1992 | |||
| University of Nottingham | Nottingham | East Midlands | 1798 | 1948 | |||
| Open University | Milton Keynes | East of England | 1969 | 1969 | Milton Keynes (an open-access distance learning university) | ||
| None | Oxford Brookes University | Oxford | South East England | 1865 | 1992 | ||
| University of Oxford | Oxford | South East England | 1096 | 1200–1214 | Collegiate university. Teaching as early as 1096; schools organised into a university from c. 1200, with statutes given by a legatine charter in 1214.[12] | ||
| Plymouth Marjon University | Plymouth | South West England | 1993 | 2013 | Formerly the University of St. Mark & St. John | ||
| University of Plymouth | Plymouth | South West England | 1862 | 1992 | |||
| University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth | South East England | 1870 | 1992 | |||
| Queen Margaret University | Musselburgh | Scotland | 1875 | 2007 | 2007/2008 moved to a new campus in Musselburgh, East Lothian. | ||
| Queen Mary University of London | London | London | 1785 | 2023 | A member institution of the University of London which has awarded its own degrees since 2014.[13] | ||
| Queen's University Belfast | Belfast | Northern Ireland | 1810 | 1908 | |||
| None | Ravensbourne University London | London | London | 1962 | 2018 | London | |
| University of Reading | Reading | South East England | 1892 | 1926 | |||
| None | Regent's University London | London | London | 1984 | 2013 | 2,171 | Private university[14] |
| Richmond American University London | London | London | 1972 | 2019 | 1,600 | Private university | |
| Robert Gordon University | Aberdeen | Scotland | 1750 | 1992 | Aberdeen | ||
| None | University of Roehampton | London | London | 1975 | 2004 | Collegiate university with four colleges | |
| Royal Agricultural University | Cirencester | South West England | 1845 | 2013 | Cirencester | ||
| Royal Holloway, University of London[15] | Egham | South East England | 1879 | 2022 | Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right. | ||
| Royal Veterinary College | London | London | 1791 | 2023 | Member institution of the University of London. University in its own right since 2023. | ||
| University of Salford | Salford | North West England | 1850 | 1967 | |||
| Sheffield Hallam University | Sheffield | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1843 | 1992 | |||
| University of Sheffield | Sheffield | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1897 | 1905 | |||
| SOAS University of London | London | London | 1916 | 2023 | A member institution of the University of London with degree awarding powers since 2013.[16] University in its own right since 2023.[17] | ||
| University of South Wales | Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd |
Wales | 1841 | 2013 | Merger of University of Wales, Newport and University of Glamorgan | ||
| Southampton Solent University | Southampton | South East England | 1984 | 2005 | Southampton | ||
| University of Southampton | Southampton | South East England | 1862 | 1952 | |||
| University of St Andrews | St Andrews | Scotland | 1413 | 1413 | |||
| St Mary's University, Twickenham | London | London | 1850 | 2014 | |||
| University of Staffordshire | Stoke-on-Trent | West Midlands | 1906 | 1992 | Campuses at Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and Lichfield | ||
| University of Stirling | Stirling | Scotland | 1967 | 1967 | Bridge of Allan | ||
| University of Strathclyde | Glasgow | Scotland | 1796 | 1964 | Glasgow | ||
| None | University of Suffolk | Ipswich | East of England | 2007 | 2016 | Campuses at Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft | |
| University of Sunderland | Sunderland | North East England | 1901 | 1992 | |||
| University of Surrey | Guildford | South East England | 1891 | 1966 | Guildford | ||
| University of Sussex | Brighton and Hove | South East England | 1959 | 1961 | Brighton | ||
| Swansea University | Swansea | Wales | 1920 | 2007 | |||
| Teesside University | Middlesbrough | North East England | 1930 | 1992 | Campuses at Middlesbrough and Darlington | ||
| Ulster University | Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown, Derry | Northern Ireland | 1865 | 1984 | Formed by merger of the New University of Ulster and Ulster Polytechnic | ||
| University College Birmingham | Birmingham | West Midlands | 1957 | 2012 | Despite its name, University College Birmingham holds full university status.[18] | ||
| None | University College London | London | London | 1826 | 2023 | 46,830 | Member institution of the University of London; since 2023 a university in its own right. |
| University of Wales Trinity Saint David | Cardiff, Carmathen, Swansea |
Wales | 1822 | 2010 | 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 Wales | Cardiff | Wales | 1893 | 1893 | Functionally merged with UWTSD in 2017 but still constitutionally separate[19] | ||
| University of Warwick | Warwick | West Midlands | 1965 | 1965 | Coventry | ||
| University of the West of England | Bristol | South West England | 1595 | 1992 | Bristol | ||
| University of the West of Scotland | Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton, Paisley |
Scotland | 1897 | 1992 | Campuses at Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries | ||
| None | University of West London | London | London | 1860 | 1992 | Campuses at Ealing and Brentford in West London, and Reading. | |
| University of Westminster | London | London | 1838 | 1992 | |||
| University of Winchester | Winchester | South West England | 1840 | 2005 | |||
| University of Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton | West Midlands | 1899 | 1992 | |||
| University of Worcester | Worcester | West Midlands | 1946 | 2005 | |||
| Wrexham University | Wrexham | Wales | 1887 | 2008 | |||
| York St John University | York | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1841 | 2006 | |||
| University of York | York | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1963 | 1963 |
| Arms | University | Established | University college status | Total students | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University College of Estate Management | 1919 | 2016 | Reading Application for university status approved 2025 but awaiting supplemental charter; currently using University of the Built Environment as a trading name.[20] |
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.[21] 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".[22]
| Arms | University | Established | Joined University of London |
Total students (2018/19)[3] |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkbeck, University of London | 1823 | 1920 | A university in its own right since 2023,[23] with degree awarding powers since 2012.[24] | ||
| Brunel University of London | 1798 | 2024 | A university since 1966, became a member institution of the University of London in 2024.[25] | ||
| City St George's, University of London | 1834 | 2016 | 26,415 | Formed in 2024 by merger of City, University of London and St George's, University of London. City became a member institution of the University of London in 2016,[26] and became a university in its own right again in 2023. | |
| None | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama | 1906 | 2005 | Degree awarding powers since 2005.[27] | |
| None | Courtauld Institute of Art | 1932 | 2002 | ||
| Goldsmiths, University of London | 1891 | 1905 | Became an institution owned by the university in 1905[22] and a school of the university in 1988.[28]
A university in its own right since 2024,[29] with degree awarding powers since 2013.[30] | ||
| None | Institute of Cancer Research | 1909 | 2003 | ||
| King's College London | 1829 | 1900 | 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.[22] Since 2023 a university in its own right. | ||
| None | London Business School | 1964 | 1964 | ||
| London School of Economics | 1895 | 1900 | Original school of the university in 1900.[22] Since 2023 a university in its own right. | ||
| None | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | 1899 | 1900 | Original school of the university in 1900.[22] Degree awarding powers since 2013.[31] Approved for university status and applying for supplemental charter in 2024/5.[32] | |
| Queen Mary University of London | 1785 | 1907 | A university in its own right since 2023,[33] which awarded its own degrees since 2014.[34] | ||
| Royal Academy of Music | 1822 | 1999 | Degree awarding powers since 2012.[35] | ||
| Royal Holloway, University of London | 1879 | 1900 | Original school of the university in 1900.[22] Since 2022 a university in its own right.[36] | ||
| Royal Veterinary College | 1791 | 1949 | A university in its own right since 2023,[37] with degree awarding powers since 2009.[38] | ||
| SOAS University of London | 1916 | 1916 | A university in its own right since 2023,[39] with degree awarding powers since 2013.[40] | ||
| None | University College London | 1826 | 1900 | 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.[22] A university in its own right since 2023,[41] with degree awarding powers since 2005.[42] |
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]
These institutions are recognised bodies with foundation degree awarding powers only.[1]
This section lists defunct universities, university colleges, polytechnics and colleges of federal universities.

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,[update] 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".[84][85] 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".[86] 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 dependent territories are not considered UK Universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government.[92]
Universities in British Overseas Territories are not considered UK Universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government.[92]

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[94][95] 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.[96] The plan was cancelled in 2021.[97]
Template:Defunct universities and colleges in the United Kingdom Template:University associations and groupings in the United Kingdom