List of universities in the United Kingdom explained

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.

Universities alphabetically

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	Established	University status	Total students	Notes
	University of Aberdeen	1495	1495		King's College and Marischal College merged in 1860.
	Abertay University	1888	1994		Dundee
	Aberystwyth University	1872	2007
	Anglia Ruskin University	1858	1992		Campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and London.
–	Arden University	1990	2015		Private, distance learning & blended learning, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Berlin
	Aston University	1895	1966		Birmingham
	Bangor University	1884	2007
	University of Bath	1886	1966
–	Bath Spa University	1852	2005
–	University of Bedfordshire	1882	2006		Campuses in Luton and Bedford.
–	BIMM University	2001	2022		Private university with campuses at Brighton, London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex, Dublin, Berlin
	University of Birmingham	1825	1900
	Birmingham City University	1843	1992
	Birmingham Newman University	1973	2012
	University College Birmingham	1957	2012		Despite its name, University College Birmingham holds full university status.^[3]
	Bishop Grosseteste University	1862	2012
	University of Bolton	1824	2004
–	Arts University Bournemouth	1880	2012
	Bournemouth University	1900s	1992
–	BPP University	1992	2013		Private, 6 London centres, 12 across rest of England, and 2 in Channel Islands.
	University of Bradford	1832	1966
–	University of Brighton	1858	1992
	University of Bristol	1595	1909
	Brunel University London	1798	1966		Campuses at Uxbridge and London
	University of Buckingham	1973	1983		First private university in the UK
	Buckinghamshire New University	1891	2007		High Wycombe
	University of Cambridge	1209	data-sort-value="1209"	1209–1226		Collegiate university. Established by migration from Oxford in 1209; organised under a chancellor by 1226^[4]
	Canterbury Christ Church University	1962	2005
	Cardiff Metropolitan University	1865	2011		Formerly University of Wales Institute Cardiff
	Cardiff University	1893	2005
	University of Chester	1839	2005		Campuses at Chester and Warrington
	University of Chichester	1977	2005
	Coventry University	1970	1992		Includes CU Coventry, CU Scarborough and CU London
	Cranfield University	1946	1993
–	University for the Creative Arts	1856	2008		Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester
	University of Cumbria	1890	2007		Main campus at Carlisle, with campuses at London, Lancaster, Penrith and Ambleside
	De Montfort University	1870	1992		Leicester
	University of Derby	1851	1992
	University of Dundee	1881	1967
	Durham University	1832	1832		Collegiate university
	University of East Anglia	1963	1963		Norwich
	University of East London	1898	1992
	Edge Hill University	1885	2006		Ormskirk, Lancashire
	University of Edinburgh	1583	1583
	Edinburgh Napier University	1964	1992
	University of Essex	1964	1965		Campuses at Colchester and Southend-on-Sea
	University of Exeter	1838	1955
	Falmouth University	1902	2012
	University of Glasgow	1451	1451
	Glasgow Caledonian University	1875	1993		Formed by the merger of The Queen's College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic.
	University of Gloucestershire	1834	2001		Campuses at Cheltenham, Gloucester, and London.
	University of Greenwich	1890	1992
	Harper Adams University	1901	2012		Newport, Shropshire
	Hartpury University	1947	2018		Gloucestershire
	Heriot-Watt University	1821	1966		Campuses at Edinburgh and Galashiels
	University of Hertfordshire	1952	1992		Hatfield
	University of the Highlands and Islands	1992	2011		Federal university with a main campus at Inverness, and colleges at Elgin, Perth & across north and western Scotland
	University of Huddersfield	1825	1992		Campuses at Huddersfield and Barnsley
	University of Hull	1927	1954
	Imperial College London	1907	2007		Despite its name, Imperial College holds full university status.^[5]
	Keele University	1949	1962		Staffordshire
	University of Kent	1965	1965		Campuses at Canterbury and Medway. Collegiate university
	Kingston University	1899	1992
	University of Central Lancashire	1828	1992		Campuses at Preston and Burnley
	Lancaster University	1964	1964		Collegiate university
	University of Leeds	1831	1904		Formerly part of the federal Victoria University
–	Leeds Arts University^[6]	1846	2017
–	Leeds Beckett University	1824	1992
	Leeds Trinity University	1966	2012
	University of Leicester	1921	1957
	University of Lincoln	1861	1992		Campuses at Lincoln, Riseholme, and Holbeach
	University of Liverpool	1881	1903		Formerly part of the federal Victoria University
	Liverpool Hope University	1844	2005
	Liverpool John Moores University	1823	1992
		University of London	1836	1836	205,400^[7]	Federal university
	London Metropolitan University	1848	2002
	London School of Economics	1895	2022		Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right.
	London South Bank University	1892	1992
	Loughborough University	1909	1966
	University of Manchester	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
	Manchester Metropolitan University	1824	1992
	Middlesex University	1878	1992		London
	Newcastle University	1834	1963
	University of Northampton	1924	2005
–	Northeastern University – London^[8]	2010	2022		Subsidiary of Northeastern University in the US. Formerly the New College of the Humanities.
	Northumbria University	1877	1992
–	Norwich University of the Arts	1843	2013
	University of Nottingham	1798	1948
	Nottingham Trent University	1843	1992
	The Open University	1969	1969		Milton Keynes (an open-access distance learning university)
	University of Oxford	1096	data-sort-value="1200"	1200–1214		Collegiate university. Teaching as early as 1096; schools organised into a university from, with statutes given by a legatine charter in 1214.^[9]
–	Oxford Brookes University	1865	1992
	Plymouth Marjon University	1993	2013		Formerly the University of St. Mark & St. John
–	Arts University Plymouth	1856	2022
	University of Plymouth	1862	1992
	University of Portsmouth	1870	1992
	Queen Margaret University	1875	2007		Edinburgh
	Queen's University Belfast	1810	1908
–	Ravensbourne University	1962	2018		London
	University of Reading	1892	1926
–	Regent's University London	1984	2013	2,171	Private university^[10]
	Richmond American University London	1972	2019	1,600	Private university
	Robert Gordon University	1750	1992		Aberdeen
–	Roehampton University	1975	2004		Collegiate university with four colleges
	Royal Agricultural University	1845	2013		Cirencester
	Royal Holloway, University of London^[11]	1879	2022		Member institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right.
	University of Salford	1850	1967
	University of Sheffield	1897	1905
	Sheffield Hallam University	1843	1992
	University of South Wales	1841	2013		Merger of University of Wales, Newport and University of Glamorgan
	University of Southampton	1862	1952
	Solent University	1984	2005		Southampton
	University of St Andrews	1413	1413
–	St George's, University of London^[12]	1733	2022		Member Institution of the University of London; since 2022 a university in its own right
	St Mary's University, Twickenham	1850	2014
	Staffordshire University	1906	1992		Campuses at Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and Lichfield
	University of Stirling	1967	1967		Bridge of Allan
	University of Strathclyde	1796	1964		Glasgow
–	University of Suffolk	2007	2016		Campuses at Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft
–	University of Sunderland	1901	1992
–	University of Surrey	1891	1966		Guildford
	University of Sussex	1959	1961		Brighton
	Swansea University	1920	2007
–	Teesside University	1930	1992		Campuses at Middlesbrough and Darlington
–	University College London	1826	2023	46,830	Member institution of the University of London; since 2023 a university in its own right.
–	University of the Arts London	1986	2003
	Ulster University	1865	1984		Formed by merger of the New University of Ulster and Ulster Polytechnic
	University of Law	1865	2012	8,000	Private university
		1893	1893		Functionally merged with UWTSD in 2017 but still constitutionally separate^[13]
	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	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 Warwick	1965	1965		Coventry
–	University of the West of England	1595	1992		Bristol
	University of the West of Scotland	1897	1992		Campuses at Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries
–	University of West London	1860	1993		Campuses at Ealing and Brentford
	University of Westminster	1838	1992
–	University of Winchester	1840	2005
	University of Wolverhampton	1899	1992
–	University of Worcester	1946	2005
	Wrexham University	1887	2008
	University of York	1963	1963
	York St John University	1841	2006
	Health Sciences University	1965	2024

University colleges

This is a list of university colleges in the UK. Institutions included on this list are university colleges that are recognised bodies with their own degree awarding powers;^[1] it does not include institutions with "university college" in their title that are listed bodies as parts of a university (see colleges within universities in the United Kingdom), or other institutions with "university college" in their title. Separate citations are given for institutions that have been awarded university college title recently and are not yet shown under that name on the recognised bodies list or which do not use the title in their name.

Arms	University	Established	University college status	Total students	Notes
-	AECC University College^[14]	1965	2017	1,220	renamed as Health Sciences University in 2024
-	University College of Estate Management	1919	2013	4,000	Reading
-	University College of Osteopathy	1917	2017	1,000	London
-	Writtle University College	1893	2016	7,645	merged with Anglia Ruskin University in 2024

Member institutions of the University of London

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.^[15] 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".^[16]

Arms	University	Established	Joined University of London	Total students	Notes
	Birkbeck, University of London	1823	1920	11,425
	City, University of London	1894	2016	19,975	Became as an independent university in 1966; surrendered university status in 2016 to join the University of London.^[17]
None	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama	1906	2005	1,100
None	The Courtauld Institute of Art	1932	2002	545
		1891	1905	10,090	Became an institution owned by the university in 1905 and a school of the university in 1988.^[18]
None		1909	2003	280
		1829	1900	10,090	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.
		1964	1964	2,390
		1895	1900	12,975	Original school of the university in 1900.
-		1899	1900	12,975	Original school of the university in 1900.
		1785	1907	26,045
		1822	1999	860
		1879	1900		Original school of the university in 1900. Since 2022 a university in its own right.^[19]
-		1791	1949	2,510
None	St George's, University of London	1733	1900		Original school of the university in 1900. Since 2022 a university in its own right.^[20]
-		1916	1916	6,295
None		1826	1900	46,830	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.

Other recognised bodies

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]

• Ashridge Executive Education
• Blackpool and the Fylde College
• College of Legal Practice Limited
• Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology^[21]
• Guildhall School of Music and Drama
• Hult International Business School^[22]
• ICMP Management Limited^[22]
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art^[22]
• London Institute of Banking and Finance
• London Interdisciplinary School^[23]
• NCG (Newcastle College Group)
• Multiverse Group Ltd^[24]
• National Film and Television School^[22]
• New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering^[22]
• Norland College
• Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland (Union Theological College)
• Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance
• Royal College of Music
• Royal College of Art
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Northern College of Music
• TEC Partnership^[22]
• The Engineering and Design Institute, London^[22]
• S P Jain London School of Management Limited^[22]
• Spurgeon's College^[22]
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
• Warwickshire College^[22]

Recognised bodies that can only award foundation degrees

These institutions are recognised bodies with foundation degree awarding powers only.^[1]

• Cornwall College Group
• Hull College
• Luminate Education Group
• New College, Durham

Defunct university institutions

This section lists defunct universities, university colleges, polytechnics and colleges of federal universities.

• University of Durham:
  • Armstrong College, Durham – Merged with University of Durham College of Medicine to form King's College, Durham (now Newcastle University)
  • University of Durham College of Medicine – Merged with Armstrong College, Durham to form King's College, Durham (now Newcastle University)
• Fraserburgh University, Aberdeenshire (1592–1605)
• University of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Trefforest and Glyntaff – Merged with University of Wales, Newport to form University of South Wales
• King's College, Aberdeen – Merged with Marischal College, Aberdeen to form University of Aberdeen
• University of London:
  • Bedford College, London – Merged with Royal Holloway College to form Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (now Royal Holloway, University of London)
  • Heythrop College – closed 2018
  • Westfield College, London – Merged with Queen Mary, University of London
  • Wye College – Merged with Imperial College
• London Guildhall University – Merged with University of North London to form London Metropolitan University

• University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) – Merged to form University of Manchester
• Marischal College, Aberdeen (1593–1858) – Merged with King's College, Aberdeen to form University of Aberdeen
• Mason Science College, Birmingham – Merged to form Mason College, now the University of Birmingham
• University of North London – Merged with London Guildhall University to form London Metropolitan University
• University of Northampton (1261–1265) (not to be confused with the current University of Northampton, which has no direct connection with the medieval foundation)
• Queen's University of Ireland, Belfast, Cork and Galway – Closed, replaced by Royal University of Ireland
• Royal University of Ireland, Belfast, Cork and Galway – Closed, replaced by National University of Ireland
• University College Salford – Merged with the University of Salford
• University College Scarborough – taken over by University of Hull
• University of Stamford (1333–1335)
• Federal University of Surrey – Divided into University of Surrey and Roehampton University
• Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College, Farnham and Epsom – Merged to form University for the Creative Arts
• Swansea Metropolitan University – Merged with University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• Trinity University College, Carmarthen – Merged with University of Wales, Lampeter to form University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• Ulster Polytechnic – Merged with New University of Ulster to form University of Ulster
• New University of Ulster – Merged with Ulster Polytechnic to form University of Ulster
• Victoria University, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds – Merged with Owen's College, Manchester, to form Victoria University of Manchester; Other colleges become University of Leeds and University of Liverpool
• Victoria University of Manchester – Merged to form Manchester University
• University of Wales:
  • University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff – merged with Cardiff University
  • University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Cardiff – Merged with University of Wales College Cardiff to form University of Wales, Cardiff (now Cardiff University)
  • University of Wales Lampeter – Merged with Trinity University College to form University of Wales Trinity Saint David
  • University of Wales, Newport – Merged with University of Glamorgan to form University of South Wales

Foreign universities with campuses in the United Kingdom

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.

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".^{[25] [26]} 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".^[27] The following are approved overseas higher education institutions and foreign universities that are listed bodies in the UK, with their UK locations:

• Advanced Studies in England Ltd, Bath
• American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Preston
• Amity University [IN] London, London (listed body^[27] providing courses leading to UK degrees from the University of Northampton and the University of Bolton^[28])
• Arcadia University, Holborn
• Bader College, Hailsham (part of Queen's University at Kingston in Canada^[29])
• Boston University London Programme, London
• Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Oxford
• Florida State University International Programs Association UK, London
• Fordham University, Tarrytown
• Georgetown University (USA) UK Initiatives Organisation, London
• Global Education Oregon in London, London
• Harlaxton College, Grantham (part of the University of Evansville^[30])
• Healthcare Education Student Support Services Ltd, Winchester
• Ithaca College, London
• James Madison University and JMU Overseas Programs Ltd, London
• Lawrence University London Centre
• Luther College Study Centre, Nottingham
• MUN (UK) Ltd, Old Harlow (part of Memorial University^[31])
• NYU in London, London
• Pepperdine University UK Ltd, London
• PHBS-UK, Oxford (part of Peking University HSBC Business School^[32])
• Samford University London Study Centre, London
• St Cloud State University, Alnwick
• St. Lawrence University (USA) London Programme, London
• Syracuse University London Program, London
• Teikyo University of Japan in Durham, Durham
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business, London
• University of North Carolina, London
• University of Notre Dame, London
• Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Banbury

Universities in British Overseas Territories

Universities in British Overseas Territories are not considered UK Universities and are not recognised as UK degree-awarding bodies by the British government.^[33]

• University of the West Indies Open Campus, with one country site in each of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Anguilla

• Saint James School of Medicine

Bermuda

• Bermuda College

Cayman Islands

See main article: List of universities in the Cayman Islands.

• Truman Bodden Law School

A law school affiliated with the University of Liverpool in the UK

• International College of the Cayman Islands

A private university

• St. Matthews University

A private institution containing a medical school and a veterinary school

• University College of the Cayman Islands

The only public university in the Cayman Islands

Gibraltar

• University of Gibraltar

Montserrat

• University of Science, Arts and Technology^[34]
• American University of the Caribbean

Turks and Caicos Islands

• Charisma University

Universities in Crown Dependencies

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^{[35] [36]} 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.^[37]

See also

• Armorial of UK universities
• Colleges within universities in the United Kingdom
• List of colleges in the United Kingdom offering higher education courses
• List of universities in the United Kingdom by endowment
• List of universities in the United Kingdom by enrolment
• List of universities in the United Kingdom by date of foundation
• List of universities in England
• List of universities in Northern Ireland
• List of universities in Scotland
• List of universities in Wales*
• Lists of universities and colleges
• Lists of universities and colleges by country
• Levels of education: higher education, foundation degree and further education
• National Union of Students of the United Kingdom
• Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom
• Tuition fees in the United Kingdom
• UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service)
• Universities in the United Kingdom

Notes and References

1. Web site: Check if a university or college is officially recognised. 29 September 2021.
2. Web site: Existing regulatory data. Office for Students. 14 March 2018. 14 July 2018.
3. Web site: University College Birmingham. HEFCE. 24 September 2016.
4. Web site: Early records. 29 February 2024. University of Cambridge.
5. Web site: Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine. HEFCE. 24 September 2016.
6. Web site: Leeds Arts University established as Leeds College of Art gains university status!. 21 August 2017. Leeds Arts University. 21 August 2017.
7. Combined total from Web site: Where do HE students study?. HE student enrolments by HE provider. HESA. 5 November 2023. . Included institutions are Birkbeck, 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 Central School of Speech and Drama, Royal Holloway, Royal Veterinary College, SOAS, St George's, UCL and the central institutes & activities.
8. Web site: Regulatory case report for university title for NCH at Northeastern Limited. Office for Students. 20 July 2022. 2 August 2022.
9. Book: There were schools in operation in Oxford from at least as early as the middle of the twelfth century; an embryonic university organization was in existence from 1200, even before the first papal statutes (1214), which were complemented by royal charters, had established its first institutions. 52–53. A History of the University in Europe. 1, Universities in the Middle Ages. Patterns. Jacques Verger. Hilde de Ridder-Symoens. Walter Rüegg. Cambridge University Press. 16 October 2003. 9780521541138. https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z1VBEbF0HAC&pg=PA52.
10. https://www.regents.ac.uk/
11. Web site: Royal Holloway and Bedford New College. The Privy Council Office. 30 November 2022. 6 January 2023.
12. Web site: St George's, University of London Scheme. 30 June 2022. St George's, University of London. 24 January 2023.
13. Web site: Merger FAQs. January 2018. University of Wales. 19 August 2018.
14. Web site: AECC University College. HEFCE. 27 August 2017.
15. Web site: UCL statement on University of London Act 2018. 11 March 2019. 4 June 2019. University College London.
16. Book: University of London, the Historical Record: (1836-1912). 1912. University of London. 5–24; 84–86.
17. News: City University London to join University of London . Times Higher Education . 16 July 2015 . Jack Grove.
18. Web site: Goldsmiths' College archives. AIM25 Archives in London and the M25 area. 30 January 2024.
19. Web site: Royal Holloway and Bedford New College. The Privy Council Office. 30 November 2022. 6 January 2023.
20. Web site: St George's, University of London Scheme. 30 June 2022. St George's, University of London. 24 January 2023.
21. News: Dyson technology institute to be given power to award its own degrees. Richard Adams. 7 October 2020. The Guardian.
22. Web site: Regulatory activity for individual providers. 4 December 2023. Office for Students. 12 August 2021.
23. News: New college opening with degrees with no subjects. BBC News. Sean Coughlan. 29 October 2020.
24. News: Euan Blair apprenticeship firm gets licence to award degrees . 2 September 2022 . The Guardian . 1 Sep 2022.
25. Web site: Tier 4 (General) student visa. Government of the United Kingdom. 25 September 2016. 22 July 2016.
26. Web site: Register of licensed sponsors: students. 1 November 2023. UK Visas and Immigration. 1 November 2023.
27. Web site: Check if a university or college is officially recognised. Government of the United Kingdom. 7 March 2017. 15 March 2017.
28. Web site: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/ReviewsAndReports/Documents/Amity%20Global%20Education%20Ltd%20trading%20as%20Amity%20University%20[In%20London/Amity-Global-Education-Ltd-trading-as-Amity-University-In-London-EO-AM-16.pdf Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Amity Global Education Ltd t/a Amity University [In] London]. November 2015. Quality Assurance Agency. 25 September 2016.
29. Web site: The Bader International Study Centre. Queen's University, Canada. 25 September 2016.
30. Web site: About Us – History, Facts and Features. Harlaxton College. 25 September 2016.
31. Web site: Harlow Campus. Memorial University. 25 September 2016.
32. Web site: PHBS-UK. 1 November 2023.
33. Web site: Recognised UK degrees . 5 September 2015 . Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
34. http://www.usat.ms
35. News: Channel Islands university supported by Guernsey States. BBC. 15 November 2013. 16 February 2018.
36. News: University of the Channel Islands in Guernsey: Vision Statement. Susan Jackson Associates. September 2013. 16 February 2018.
37. News: Guernsey 'could have its own university'. itv.com. 16 February 2017.