Participating Universities

The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495, making it the third oldest university in Scotland and fifth oldest in the UK. Five Nobel Prize winners are associated with the University and students electing to study at Aberdeen would be joining a varied and thriving community of around 12,000 students from around the world.

The University of Aberdeen offers first class learning resources situated in a beautiful campus. At the main campus you will find ancient buildings side by side with modern, newly refurbished laboratories, excellent computing facilities and the latest library technology. Social and sporting facilities are of a high standard with over 150 sports clubs and societies available for students to join.

Roughly half of University of Aberdeen students study medicine, science or engineering, with arts and social sciences also popular. A cosmopolitan atmosphere of Scottish and English students alongside 120 different nationalities ensures an exciting multi-cultural atmosphere, with Aberdeen’s remote location attractive to students from all over the world.

Aston University is lively, welcoming and cosmopolitan campus based university situated in the centre of Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK. It was founded in 1895 and in 1966, received the Royal Charter to be a University from Queen Elizabeth II. The campus is home to five schools (Business, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Languages and Social Sciences Life and Health Sciences and the Medical school) which offer foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research programmes. Aston has more than 11,000 undergraduates and more than 2,000 postgraduate students from over 120 countries.

Aston consistently ranks high in various international league tables. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 78% of research submitted was evaluated as 'world leading' or 'internationally recognised'.

Bangor University is a Welsh university that was founded in 1884. Currently, Bangor is host to over 10,000 students from 85 different countries and is situated on the coast of north Wales, about 450km North West of London. Manchester International Airport is around two hours away by train.

Bangor’s location on the coast means that it is well known for Ocean Science. However, it has also built up a strong reputation for Accounting & Finance, Sport Science and Electronic Engineering as well. The latest National Student Survey ranks Bangor University in the UK top 15 for student satisfaction, and the best in Wales.

International students are offered free English language courses and support, and this includes classes in English grammar, vocabulary and business English, drop-in sessions for immediate support and an English writing advice service. There are around 150 clubs and societies to enjoy at Bangor and membership is free, meaning all students can enjoy the opportunities offered.

Birkbeck are proud of being in the top 350 research-intensive universities in the world. Most international students choose to study with Birkbeck because of their reputation for being a world-class research and teaching institution based in central London.

Birkbeck award globally recognised University of London qualifications – a mark of quality and excellence. Graduates and staff of the University of London include 74 Nobel Laureates, 52 presidents and prime ministers, and numerous international luminaries. Birkbeck joined the University of London 100 years ago and, in 2023, will celebrate 200 years of providing higher Education.  

Students from over 120 countries study at the University, so you’ll find yourself surrounded by committed enthusiastic students from all backgrounds, careers and cultures, ages from 18 to 80 plus. Unique evening teaching means that you can study alongside London’s working professionals and pursue internship or part-time work opportunities during the day.

The University of Birmingham is a beautiful redbrick university, with a leafy green campus, located in the city of Birmingham, just over 150km north of London.

Established in 1900, Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives. A founding member of the Russell Group and Universitas 21, the University of Birmingham is a prestigious, world leading educational institution, which provides an exceptionally high level of teaching.

Birmingham is renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. In 2020-21, they are ranked first by High Fliers Research, as the most targeted UK university for the country’s top employers looking for graduate recruits (The Graduate Market in 2021), demonstrating their commitment to you and your future. The University has also invested £5m in its graduate careers services and successful alumni are offered mentoring and bursaries to support work experience and internships in the UK and overseas.

Bournemouth University (BU) is one of the UK’s leading modern universities; we create forward- thinking graduates with the skills and flexibility to succeed throughout their career. Our courses are designed with direct input from employers, and we recognise the importance of work experience as part of your degree.

The BU community includes around 16,000 students; with approximately 2,600 international students from over 120 countries. Our four faculties offer degrees in creative, professional, technological, scientific and humanities specialisms. We are ranked in the top 150 young universities in the world according to the THE Young University Rankings.

There are many reasons why so many international students choose BU. Studying at Bournemouth University will give you the opportunity to progress into some of the most exciting careers, such as Computer Animation & Visual Effects, Media Production & Communication, Forensic & Archaeology, Sports & Events Management, History, International Business and Management, Politics & Social Studies, and much more.

Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol combines a proud tradition of academic excellence with an independent and forward-thinking spirit.

Bristol has an international reputation for high-quality education and research, with the work of its staff and students resonating across the world. More than 25,000 students currently study at the University from over 150 countries.

The University is ranked 58 th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2021) and has excellent graduate employment rates, coming 9 th in the UK for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). The completion rate of 95% is among the highest in the country, and 90% of undergraduate students are awarded either a first or 2:1 (Times Good University Guide 2021).

Situated in the heart of Bristol, the University is one of the 24 members of the research- intensive Russell Group. It is one of the original ‘red brick’ universities - six institutions founded in the major industrial cities of England.

Cambridge Education Group has been helping international students achieve entry into UK universities for over 55 years. CEG provides pre-university education to more than 4,000 students from over 95 countries and is a leading provider of academic, creative and English language programmes in the UK.

ONCAMPUS offer pre-university programmes for students who do not meet the required grades for entry to a UK university.Since 2008, ONCAMPUS has helped thousands of students progress to the best universities across the UK, Europe and the USA. 

• Birkbeck, University of London
• Goldsmiths, University of London

Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby has built on the region’s heritage of innovation to provide industry-relevant, expert teaching, from foundation and undergraduate degrees through to postgraduate study and research.

Rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework and Top 10 for Postgraduate Student Experience 2020, Derby’s academic strength is backed up by practical experience to ensure students are ready for a successful career. They offer a wide range of subjects which will help students develop the skills and confidence to aim high.

The University wants everyone to receive the high-quality education they deserve, regardless of age, background or location. They were named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2020 and Higher Education Institution of the Year at the 2020 NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) Awards.

The University of Dundee was founded in 1881 and has developed a significant reputation for students entering the traditional professions, most notably law, medicine and dentistry as well as emerging areas such as life sciences. The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is one of the UK’s top rated art schools, while the University of Dundee School of Medicine is ranked in the top 5 in the UK. Dundee is also 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Law according to the Guardian University Guide 2020.

Based in and around the city of Dundee on the central east coast of Scotland, a focus on vocational and professional degrees means that Dundee scores well in terms of graduate employment and only Oxbridge graduates have higher average starting salaries.

Dundee has scored highly in terms of student satisfaction in recent years and lots of degrees at the University include a career planning and internship option, with students given their own personal development website to work within.

The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1451. Based in Scotland’s largest city, the University of Glasgow is one of the world’s top 100 universities and currently has 26,000 students from over 120 different countries enrolled. Glasgow is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research universities.

Throughout its history Glasgow has created six Nobel laureates, one Prime Minister, Scotland's inaugural First Minister and the country's first female medical graduates. 96% of University of Glasgow research-active staff are in areas which have been independently assessed as producing research of international importance.

The University of Glasgow’s main campus is located in the cosmopolitan West End of Glasgow, just three miles from the city centre. Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and world's friendliest (Rough Guides 2019) and was recently ranked in the top 10 "Best Cities in the World in 2019" by Time Out.

The University of Huddersfield can trace its roots back to 1825 and is a founding member of the Northern Consortium and a member of the Yorkshire Universities. It is situated on a single campus just outside the city in the north of England.

The University was announced as Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education awards 2012, and University of the Year at the Times Higher Education awards 2013. It has been praised for its graduate employment scores and many courses offer a ‘sandwich’ option involving a work placement with numerous partner employers. The most popular courses are human and health sciences and due to its technical roots, the University often performs best in these and other vocational areas such as social work, teaching, engineering and music. Actor Sir Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame is Chancellor and he has also taught drama master classes to students studying at the University.

Over 18,000 students choose to study at Huddersfield and the University have an impressive record of graduate employment, with 94% of undergraduates and 93% of postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduating.

At Kaplan International Pathways, education is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in the power of education to change people’s lives.

If you want to go to university in the UK, our preparation courses will bring your skills to the level needed for a degree. Alternatively, we’ll help you gain direct entry if you already qualify. With us, you can succeed at university, in your future career, and in life.

Our pathway courses give you everything you need to support your progression to a top university. We help you to improve your academic abilities, English language skills and subject knowledge, to ensure you are fully ready for your bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

Many of our teachers have been working with international students for several years, and know the exact academic and English language standards expected by universities. With this wealth of experience, we can help you successfully progress to your chosen degree.

Kent is one of the UK’s top universities. Awarded Gold, the highest rating, in the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework, and with a global reputation for excellence – three of Kent’s subject areas are ranked within the world top 100, with a further eight in the top 200 – the University offer students outstanding teaching, world-leading research, stunning study locations and a superb student experience.

Kent offer a wide range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, exciting study abroad and year in industry opportunities, summer schools, and a generous scholarship fund including awards for academic, musical and sporting excellence.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, Kent was ranked in the top 20 for research intensity by Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities. Because Kent academics are engaged in high level research, as well as teaching, you will study with some of the most influential thinkers in your field.

Kingston University is an inclusive and vibrant university, recognised for its excellent teaching, ranks highly in the world’s list of young universities and has several UK-leading courses. Located in the outskirts of London, Kingston's diverse student populace enjoy the best of one of the world’s greatest cities.

A wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered at Kingston, several of which are rated the best in the country by The Guardian University Guide 2020. Kingston University is a top global destination for fashion studies and its Fashion programme is one of the only two programmes in the UK to have received the maximum possible ‘Badges of Excellence’ by the leading influencer website Business of Fashion.

Kingston University’s teaching has been recognised as outstanding by winning The Guardian University Award 2017 for teaching excellence. Courses are also brought to life by interactive learning facilities such as the Bloomberg trading room, the flight simulator, an in-built hospital ward and music recording studio.

Established in 1904, the University of Leeds has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research and is part of the prestigious Russell Group of research intensive universities.

Leeds is one of the largest universities in country, with 33,000 students currently enrolled from over 140 countries, while its single campus location is spread out over 98 acres just one mile from the busy city centre. Campus facilities include excellent teaching space, four libraries, a state-of-the-art swimming pool and fitness centre called ‘The Edge’ and ‘stage@leeds’ which is a contemporary performance space.

The University of Leeds offers one of the widest selections of courses available across all UK universities, from English Language and a International Foundation Year to hundreds of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree options and PhD opportunities. Degrees from the University of Leeds are respected by employers and universities all over the world and alumni can be found in positions of influence across the globe.

Since Her Majesty the Queen opened the first University of Lincoln building on the Brayford Pool Campus, the University has welcomed more than 90,000 students from across 135 countries. Today, Lincoln is ranked in the world’s top 150 universities in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) Young University Rankings 2020 and were also named as the Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

The University of Lincoln put students at the heart of everything they do and have a reputation for innovative teaching, having been awarded a five-star score overall in the QS Stars rating in 2020 and Gold, the highest standard possible, in the national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2017.

As a student at the University of Lincoln you will be living in one of Europe’s great historic cities, with a history dating back as far as 300BC. Alongside remains from Lincoln’s Roman heritage, the city is also home to a number of historical buildings and landmarks, including Lincoln Cathedral which was built in 1072 and was once the tallest building in the world.

With a rich heritage stretching back to 1881, the University of Liverpool is the original ‘redbrick’ university. A founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, the top 24 research-led institutions in the UK, we are associated with nine Nobel Laureates. We are a global university with pioneering partnerships all over the world. Our research power is ranked 20th in the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), with seven subjects ranked in the top 10 in the UK for world-leading and internationally excellent research. Our Management School is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ’triple crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS and our MBA is included in The Economist’s Which MA? which lists the top 100 MBA programmes in the world.

Located at the heart of the world-famous city of Liverpool, the University of Liverpool will provide you with an amazing, life-changing, student experience in a diverse international community.

Manchester Metropolitan University has a proud heritage dating back to 1824. It is one of the largest universities in the UK, with over 34,000 students enrolled, and is home to a diverse international student population from more than 130 countries.

The University is ranked amongst the world’s top 200 universities under 50 years old (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020), which is a measure of its commitment to delivering and supporting quality research and teaching.

Manchester Metropolitan’s campus is located in the centre of Manchester, amongst world-renowned music, arts, shopping and sports venues and the second largest Chinatown in the UK. Manchester is considered Britain’s ‘best city to live in’ (Global Liveability Survey 2019 by the Economist Intelligence Unit) and one of the world's top 10 most exciting cities (Time Out City Life Index 2019).

The University is undergoing a £400m+ investment programme to enhance its teaching and research facilities, buildings and public spaces and 85% of Manchester Metropolitan’s research has a 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' impact.

The University of Nottingham is a research-focused campus university which has been described as “the nearest thing Britain has to a truly global university” by the Times, with campuses in Malaysia and China as well as the UK. It is the fifth largest university in the UK and a member of the Russell Group, Universitas 21, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the European University Association.

The University of Nottingham is regarded as one of the best universities in the world and regularly features in the UK’s top 30 Higher Education institutions. The Teaching Excellence Framework ranked Nottingham Gold, while the QS World Rankings by Subject revealed Nottingham subjects Pharmacy & Pharmacology (eighth in the world, fourth in the UK), Nursing (27th in the world, fifth in the UK), Veterinary Science (36th in the world, seventh in the UK), Education (43rd in the world, eighth in the UK) and English Language & Literature (48th in the world, 16th in the UK) also performing well.

Nottingham Trent University is spread across three campuses, two in Nottingham and one just outside the city, and it is one of the largest universities in the UK with 28,000 students currently enrolled. Nottingham Trent was originally founded in 1843 before officially gaining full university status in 1992. 93% of Nottingham Trent students would recommend studying at at the University following the National Student Survey and it was named 'University of the Year' by Times Higher Education for 2018.

Nottingham Trent University is best known for its Art and Design, Fashion and creative arts programmes, but it also hosts one of the UK’s largest law schools. The University also does well in sports, with strong performances in the British University and College Sport leagues. The University recently received one of the biggest grants to a post-1992 university in order to continue its work on cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Nottingham Trent are partnered with 50 academic institutions across 40 countries, with some programmes at the University also offering the chance for students to study abroad.

Oxford Brookes is a vibrant, modern university that has over 3,200 international students from more than 140 different countries. Oxford Brookes University has been named as one of the top 50 young universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings – and is the only UK university to make the list.

Oxford Brookes offer a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses designed to stimulate and inspire. In addition, the University offers a guaranteed place on an Oxford Brookes University bachelor's degree if you pass an international foundation programme with the appropriate grades.

Oxford is a great place to be a student - rich in heritage yet focused on the present day with a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The University have a long standing reputation for employability, and are host to two national centres of excellence in teaching and learning.

The University of Plymouth is one of the largest universities in the UK, with over 23,000 students, including around 2,000 international students from over 100 countries, enrolled. It can trace its roots back to the Plymouth School of Navigation, founded in 1862 and was formally given full university status in 1992.

Plymouth was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2012 for its worldwide reputation for marine and maritime education and research and 11 subjects were recently rated among the top ten in the UK for student satisfaction. The city is also ranked 11th in the UK for most cost-effective places to study. Over 12,000 Plymouth students per year benefit from placements and work-based learning.

It is currently the only post-1992 university to have its own medical school, and has strong partnerships with other universities and institutions in the south west. Various departments have undergone much development in recent years, particularly the library and student union, faculties of Health and Education and Society and Marine Science.

Queen Mary, University of London is the third largest college of the University of London, with the main based in the east of the city. It is a member of the Russell Group of research universities and has roots dating back to 1785. Queen Mary has a strong international reputation, with almost 25% of its 16,000 students coming from over 150 countries.

Queen Mary has the world’s largest academic health science centre, and is well known for medical teaching and research at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. The Medical School at Queen Mary includes special departments in cardiology, infectious diseases, surgery and dentistry. The School of Dentistry recently moved into brand new state-of-the-art facilities.

Royal Holloway, University of London, is ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK and the top 300 universities in the world. Through world-class research that expands minds and changes lives, the dedication of teachers and the feel of the Royal Holloway experience, Royal Holloway is a community that inspires individuals to succeed academically, socially and personally.

At Royal Holloway, you get to study at one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. Located on the outskirts of London, Royal Holloway offers a unique ‘best of both worlds’ experience with a safe and supportive campus community, with easy access to one of the best student cities in the world.

The University was founded by two social reformers who championed the principles of excellence and inclusivity. Their vision lives on today. As one of the UK’s leading research intensive universities, the University is home to some of the world’s foremost authorities in the sciences, arts, business, economics and law.

The University of Sheffield is a world famous institution located in the north of England, one of the original 'red brick' universities and a member of the elite Russell Group. Ranked in the world's top 100 universities by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Sheffield was founded by the merger of three colleges in 1905 and currently has 28,000 students enrolled from over 120 countries. Sheffield students voted the University number one for student experience in a Times survey.

The University of Sheffield boasts five Nobel Prize winners in its departments, as well as six Queen’s Anniversary Prizes. It is currently the lead institution for systems engineering, smart materials and stem cell technology in a network of research universities around the world and, several firms, such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce and The Welcome Trust, are big investors because of its engineering strength, providing strong links with industry in many courses and departments.

The University of Westminster was formed from the Royal Polytechnic established in 1838. It is spread over four campuses, three of which are in central London. There are over 19,000 students from more than 160 countries on a variety of programmes, ranging from undergraduate and postgraduate courses, to tailored professional programmes and short courses.

Subjects maintain a strong vocational focus, with longer modules including work-based skills and integration with practical activity. Undergraduates are able to conduct research during their degree and the University has achieved fame for its media studies and fashion degrees, both of which are rated as being some of the best in the world. Having celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2013, Westminster continues to invest heavily in all facilities from accommodation to the restoration of one of the first cinemas in Britain within the Regent Campus.

The University of Westminster works in partnership with

More than 2,500 international students from over 130 countries call the University of Wolverhampton home. Nationally commended and internationally recognised, the university has TEF silver status and four stars in the most recent QS international ratings. It also has a graduate employability rate of 96 per cent (DLHE 2018).

The University of Wolverhampton has been providing students with life-changing opportunities for more than 190 years. With over 500 courses to choose from, international students can move closer to their career goals. Three faculties offer courses in more than 70 subject areas, with many courses accredited by professional bodies.

Wolverhampton is in a central location in the UK, with Birmingham just 18 minutes away by train. Manchester can be reached in 70 minutes, and London in approximately 90 minutes. Wolverhampton also offers a cheap cost of living compared to other UK cities.

The University invests a lot in its students and the campus community.

The University of York is a leading UK university, creating independent critical thinkers through a culture of academic excellence and ground breaking research. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group we are committed to research-led teaching, providing a supportive and inclusive learning experience for our students. We hold a Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award, showing that we deliver consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.

All our accommodation is on or near campus and is guaranteed for international students. You’ll become a member of one of our nine colleges which encourages inclusivity and a valuable sense of community, through a wealth of social activities and a supportive system available to each and every student. A wide variety of clubs and societies on campus, as well as our college system, make it very easy for new students to integrate and feel at home throughout their studies.

York is a flourishing city, being voted the ‘best place to live in the UK’ (The Sunday Times 2018).