When it comes to study-abroad destinations, the UK has always been one of the most preferred countries where students wish to study bachelor’s from. Being home to around 130 universities, the UK offers a wide variety of courses for students to choose from. Some of these universities in the UK are one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. They have world-class infrastructure, teaching, and research facilities, which makes it an ideal environment for studying.
Whether you have been an outstanding student or need financial assistance, all the universities in the UK have numerous scholarships. They also provide the option for students to take up jobs while studying. Apart from this, these universities also have strong ties with the major companies and industries in the world, which makes it easier for students to secure placements. The decision to study in the UK exposes students to a multicultural environment, which facilitates their global outlook. Through this blog, we will get an idea about what it is like to study bachelors from some of the most prestigious universities in the UK.
Types of Undergraduate Degrees in the UK
After completing your secondary education, an undergraduate degree is typically the first level of higher education that students opt for. It is often known as a Bachelor’s degree which can be in various fields such as arts, sciences, engineering, business, etc. It is usually of a duration of 3 years. As part of the undergraduate curriculum in the UK, students are provided with a comprehensive understanding of the topic through various lectures, tutorials, and practical work. After completing their Bachelor’s in the UK, students can either choose to find a job or pursue a Masters. There are three types of Undergraduate Degrees which you can study in the UK, they are:
- Bachelor’s Degree is typically a 3-4 year program that offers a broad understanding of a specific field of study.
Example– Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- A Foundation Degree provides students with a practical understanding of vocational education in a particular field. It includes a combination of academic studies and work experience. It is part of the Level 5 classification in the UK.
Example– Nursing, Education, Heath Studies, Agriculture, Music
- Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) courses are meant for students who do not wish to be a part of a full-time degree. It is like a stand-alone qualification. A CertHE is awarded after a year of full-time study, worth 120 credits, and a DipHE after two years, worth 240 credits. You may be able to land a job after completing your CertHE or DipHE, as it is equivalent to other degrees.
Example– NVQ 4 Diploma in Business and Administration, DipHE in Business and Management
Top Universities for Bachelors in the UK
While study abroad consultants can help you shortlist the universities to choose from in the UK, we have also curated a list for you to make things easier for you. Let us have a look at the top 5 universities in the UK, from where you can do your undergraduate studies from.
1. University of Cambridge
Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the world’s 3rd oldest university in continuous operation. It is located in Cambridge, England which is a historic city with a unique backdrop for academic pursuits. As per the QS World Unversity Rankings 2025, it is ranked at the 5th position among universities in the world. It has over 150 academic departments, faculties, and other institutions divided into 6 schools. The Cambridge University Press is run by it, which is popular worldwide for publishing some of the finest academic and literary works and findings.
It is a top choice for graduate employers in the UK. 93% of Cambridge’s research, has been classified as “world-class research.” The University of Cambridge is known for offering some of the best undergraduate courses in the subjects of Archaeology and Anthropology, Architecture, Theology and Religious Studies, Computer Science, and Law. Popular personalities who have been students of Cambridge are Charles Darwin, Jawaharlal Nehru, Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Sylvia Path, and Rajiv Gandhi. The Cambridge Trusts Scholarship aims to nurture the talent of international students who have been exceptional in academics or are in dire need of financial help.
In certain cases, Cambridge might ask a student to appear for standardized tests like SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT or for subject-specific exams like the BMAT or the Cambridge Law Test. As part of its application process, students need to submit academic transcripts, LORs, and personal statements. And at times, you might also be asked to appear for an interview. To get into a highly selective university like Cambridge, ensure that you get the best guidance from experienced study abroad consultants providing career counseling, interview guidance, and SOP and LOR writing services.
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford was set up as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is ranked as the No.1 university in the world, as per the Times Higher Education. It comprises the world’s oldest university museum, which is the Ashmolean Museum, and also has the largest academic library system in the world, the Oxford University Press. Known for its stunning architecture, the University of Oxford has many historic buildings such as the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, and the Bodleian Library.
The best subjects to study at Oxford University are African and Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Art and Design, Asian Studies, Biomedical Studies, English, Chemical Engineering, and Business and Management Studies. Oxford University has educated many eminent people such as Clement Atlee, Margaret Thatcher, Aung San Suu Kyi, Indira Gandhi, and Malala Yousafzai. The Reach Oxford Scholarship is meant for students who come from low-income families and are unable to continue their studies in their native country due to some political or financial reasons or because of the absence of proper educational facilities.
Getting into Oxford requires you to have not only an outstanding academic record but also you need to create a stellar personal statement, LOR, and sometimes an essay based on your choice of program. Seek assistance from professional SOP and LOR writers well-versed with the nuances of academic writing who will help you write in a way that impresses the Oxford’s admission panel.
3. King’s College London
Established by the Royal Charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington, the King’s College is ranked as the 3rd best university in London as per the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is part of the “golden triangle” of universities located in the cities of Oxford, Cambridge, and London. It is widely recognized for teaching humanities, law, sciences, and social sciences. Among its most sought-after courses for bachelors are Arts, Media and Visual Studies, Computer Science and AI, Business and Management, Law and Politics, Medicine and Health Sciences.
Florence Nightingale, Sarojini Naidu, Peter Asher, John Keats, and Hanif Qureshi are some of the famous people who have been students of the King’s College in London. It offers merit-based scholarships for overseas students such as the Undergraduate Degree Award, which is valued at £9,250. It is offered to students about to pursue a bachelor’s in the subjects of Geography, Environmental Science, Global Health, Social Science, or Social Medicine.
Scoring well in exams like the GRE, GMAT, and your English language proficiency tests is a must if you wish to be a student of the King’s College in London. It places great emphasis on the personal statement of a student, as that helps its admissions officials to assess the personality and thought process of an applicant, to see whether s/he is a perfect fit for their institute or not. Apart from this, based on the program you have applied for, it may ask you to submit a personal statement or 1-2 LORs. Take help from study abroad consultants who specialize in academic writing to improve your chances of getting admission.
4. Imperial College London
A global top 10 university that strives to create a world-changing impact in the fields of science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business (STEM-B), the Imperial College London was formed in the year 1907. It strives to inculcate a scientific education among its business students. Some of the top-ranked Bachelor’s programs taught here are Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Medicine, Electrical Engineering, Economics, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science.
Many famous people like Brain May, Alexander Fleming, Rajiv Gandhi, David Irving, and Pallonji Mistry have been students here. If you’re a Home student with an annual household income below £70,000, then you are entitled to receive a scholarship ( £1000-£5000) for every year your course lasts, under the Imperial Bursary scheme.
The Imperial College London receives a lot of applications every year from around the world for its Bachelor’s course. It requires you to score well in standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, or the International Baccalaureate (IB). The minimum qualifying score varies based on the program you have chosen to study. With intense competition, it becomes imperative that you seek help from dedicated SOP and LOR writers, who will help you write an impressive personal statement and a LOR, which plays a key role in your admission.
5. University College London (UCL)
The University College London was the first educational institution in London, which was built in 1826. It was the 1st institution in London that gave admission to students irrespective of their religious background. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is in the 9th position. It offers more than 400 undergraduate courses, out of which the widely popular ones are Fine Arts, Law, History and Philosophy of Science, Sociology and Politics of Science, Linguistics, and Psychology.
It has been the alma mater of revered figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, John Stuart Mill, Alexander Graham Bell, and Christopher Nolan. The University College London Global Undergraduate Scholarships supports foreign students from low-income families, it covers their tuition fees and living costs for the duration of their course.
To apply at UCL, you need to write about your personal circumstances, academic history, and work experience while filling out the application form online. Apart from this, you need to submit a personal statement of 1000 words and a LOR, which portrays your interest in studying a program and highlights your eligibility for it. In certain circumstances, you might be asked to appear for an interview as well.
Eligibility Criteria for Studying Bachelors in the UK
To pursue a Bachelor’s in the UK, you must at least be 18 years of age. While applying to a university in the UK, you need to submit your application to UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Each course and university in the UK, have certain specific requirements when it comes to admissions. However, the most common eligibility criteria are:
- Academic Qualifications: The primary entry requirements are A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Some courses may have specific grades or subject requirements.
- Official academic transcripts and certificates from previously attended institutions.
- English proficiency test scores in IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL, to see how well you can adapt to an environment where the medium of instruction is English.
- To evaluate your reasoning, thinking, and problem-solving skills, scores from standardized tests like GRE, GMAT, etc. might be asked.
- Academic documents like SOP, LOR, essay, and a resume help the university admission committee assess your personality and interest in pursuing a bachelor’s in a particular discipline. Contact your nearest study abroad consultants who have a team of professional academic writers whose expertise lies in providing SOP and LOR writing services.
- In certain cases, a university might ask you to appear for an interview, based on your choice of course.
Educational Costs of Studying Bachelors in the UK
Based on the university, course, and the city you planning to study in the UK, the cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree may vary. It can turn out to be an expensive affair. On average the cost of studying in the UK may be somewhere between GBP 6,000 to GBP 24,000 per year. International students have to pay more, as they have additional costs like student visas, health insurance, immigration surcharge, airfare, and accommodation expenses to look out for.
To ease the financial burden of foreign students, many of the universities in the UK offer several scholarship incentives. These are awarded based on your academic performance, income level of family, and your cultural affinity. Apart from these, universities in the UK have also tied with many other institutions that provide scholarships and grants to students. You can also avail the details of education loans that can help you secure funding for your studies in the UK. Financial assistance helps several foreign students to fulfill their academic pursuits in the UK.
Conclusion
Being home to some of the world’s oldest universities which have their roots in the 12th and the 13th centuries, the UK is one of the ideal places to study. It has around 4 universities, which are among the top 10 universities in the world. These universities are known for their exceptional teaching, research, and other facilities. They strive to provide the best environment for their students in which they get to be a part of a diverse student group. Earning an academic degree from the UK is indeed a great accomplishment. The courses and curriculum are designed in a manner that they offer students with multiple career opportunities. These universities also provide numerous placements and scholarships for the benefit of their students.
Since these universities are the best in the field of education, there is always an intense level of competition among students to seek admission. A brilliant academic record is not the only way out, you need to be proficient in extracurricular activities as well. Apart from these, a major role is played by your college application in which you are required to submit an essay, a resume, an SOP, and an LOR. For expert guidance throughout your application journey, reach out to study-abroad consultants like Contentholic. We will provide you with career counseling, visa guidance, and SOP and LOR writing services. So, feel free to contact us and take the first step towards securing your place at a university in the UK.
