8 Best Universities in the UK for International Students

Did you know the UK is the second most popular destination for international students worldwide? It is home to some of the best UK universities and higher education providers.

With its mix of cosmopolitan cities and countryside villages, the UK offers students a punch of 

• history, 
• cuisine, 
• music, and even 
• culture to entertain them endlessly. 

As a multicultural country, this beautiful nation also houses many cultures from different parts of the world. As such, international students are in for an eventful stay of cultural exchange.

So, are you ready to take the next big step by studying in the UK?

Read on to learn about everything you need to know before you pack your bags for the experience of a lifetime in the UK.

International Students Can Work and Study in the UK 

Many students opt to work during their time in the UK for extra pocket money, experiences, to pass the time, or even to meet new people. 

While a UK student visa permits international students to work in the UK, there are some restrictions to keep in mind: 

1. International students enrolled in full-time degree programmes are limited to working 20 hours a week.
2. International students can only work 10 hours a week during a language course.
3. International students can work 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day, during semester break.
4. International students cannot work as freelancers or on a contract basis. 
5. International students cannot work as full-time employees unless they have a post-study work visa. 

Part-time jobs in the UK pay a minimum of £6.15 an hour. Depending on the chosen job, the pay can go up to £15 an hour.

Generally, there are 2 types of part-time jobs available for you to choose from: 

1. On-Campus Part-Time Jobs: These jobs are a popular choice among international students because of their location within the university campus.

Students may work in the library, computer laboratories, receptions, gyms and cafeterias.

1. Off-Campus Part-Time Jobs: Off-campus jobs give students more flexibility and opportunities to build skills/experiences.

These jobs are relatively easy to find but might not be easily accessible.

Examples of jobs that you could opt for are

• office assistant,
• receptionist,
• waiter,
• data entry,
• supermarket cashier, and many more.

You can also read these stories before you study in the UK:
Want to Study and Work in the UK? Get Inspired by these 4 Tales.

Post-Graduation Work Options for International Students in the UK 

The UK is the 6th largest economy worldwide, with a working population of 32.4 million people and an employment rate of over 75%.

International students in the UK who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree will be eligible for a two-year work experience through the Graduate Route. With the Graduate Route, Students get to work, earn, and live in the UK before returning to their home country or potentially settling down in the UK.

Here is a list of the average yearly salary for various jobs in the UK:

• Pharmacists: £43,723
• Psychologists: £42,937
• Primary and nursery education teaching professionals: £36,737
• Legal professionals: £77,212
• Dental assistants: £18,621 
• Graphic designers: £29,391 
• Marketing associates: £28,732 
• Electrical engineers: £50,886 
• IT support technicians: £30,791 
• Waiter/Waitresses: £17,633 

Cost of Living to Study Overseas After SPM 

The cost of living for international students in the UK varies depending on an individual’s lifestyle and basic requirements.

Generally, students are encouraged to prepare a budget of £1,100–£1,300 monthly for 

• housing, 
• travel, 
• food,
•  laundry, 
• entertainment and other miscellaneous needs or wants.

Universities in bustling cities typically cost more than those in suburban areas. 

For visualisation, you can find a brief breakdown of the average monthly living expenditures to help you plan your financial needs whilst living in the UK: 

Average Monthly Expenditure	London	Other Cities
Housing	£800	£550
Utility Bills	£45	£40
Transportation	£56	£45
TV + WiFi	£50
Mobile Phone (Prepaid SIM Package)	£10

General Entry Requirements for International Students to Study Abroad in the UK 

You will be required to fulfil the minimum entry requirements for international students, which vary depending on various factors. Before you join other international students in the UK, check the following requirements thoroughly:

Academic Qualification Requirements 

Here are the academic requirements for undergraduate applicants:

Academic Qualification	Scores
STPM	Min. 3.67 GPA (3 subjects)
Malaysian Matriculation	Min. 3.75 CGPA
A-Levels	Min. A*AA
IB Diploma	Min. 39 (A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.)
Senior Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)	Min. 80%

For further questions regarding other academic qualifications of the best UK universities, contact Uni Enrol today!

English Language Requirements 

The following list is the English language requirement guidance for undergraduate applicants:

English Language Qualification	Scores
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	Standard: Min. 6.5 Good: Min. 7.0 Advanced: Min. 7.5
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	Standard: Min. 92 Good: Min. 100 Advanced: Min. 109
Pearson Test of English (Academic)	Standard: Min. 62 Good: Min. 69 Advanced: Min. 75
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE)	Standard: Min. 176 Good: Min. 185 Advanced: Min. 191

Do keep in mind that the information stated above is based on general entry requirements for universities in the UK.

For more detailed entry requirements for your desired course, feel free to contact us! 

8 Best UK Universities for International Students in the UK

Choosing a university is a serious business. Thus, we have compiled 8 UK universities that made the QS World Rankings:

1. University College London (UCL)

Ranked 8th in the world in the QS World Rankings 2022, UCL is one of the world’s leading research universities in London. The established uni offers over 422 undergraduate and 675 postgraduate courses and research programmes across multiple disciplines.

Besides that, UCL also encourages a diverse community of students and peers with the freedom to

• pursue academic excellence, 
• break boundaries and 
• make a positive impact in the real world. 

With over 18,000 international students from 150 countries choosing UCL as their dream university – you get the best learning opportunities with a global perspective.

Here are UCL’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject:

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Education and Training	3 years	January and September	£24,000
Architecture			£26,600
Archaeology			£29,400

In addition, UCL also sits in the world’s top 10 for

• Anthropology,
• Geography,
• Arts & Humanities,
• Psychology,
• Anatomy,
• Pharmacy,
• Life Sciences,
• Medicine and
• Dentistry. 

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

2. University of Manchester

Ranked 27th in the world, the University of Manchester is a prestigious public research university in Manchester that is a member of the Russell Group, a select network of leading research-intensive universities in the UK.

Today, it is at the forefront of cutting-edge research in science and engineering, particularly in discovering new treatments for life-threatening diseases.

Furthermore, the University of Manchester was also ranked 35th in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings in 2017, with a 94% employability rate for students upon graduation.

The established academy also has the highest percentage of international students in the UK. They make up 25% of the student population, representing 180 nationalities on campus.

Here are the University of Manchester’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject:

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Engineering	3 years	January and September	£24,500
Sociology			£24,500
Dentistry			£46,000

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

3. University of Warwick 

The University of Warwick is a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards.
Ranked 61st in the world, this university came to the world in 1965 as part of a government initiative to expand higher education. Since then, it has grown to house more than 28,000 students from over 147 countries worldwide.

The University of Warwick proudly sits in a very prime location in England. If you visit this historical place, you can enjoy a busy modern city and the beautiful English countryside all at once.

Here are the University of Warwick’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject:

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Statistics and Mathematics	3 years	January and September	£28,410
English and Literature			£22,280
Business and Management			£28,410

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

4. University of York

The University of York is another leading UK university that prides itself on academic excellence and ground-breaking, innovative research work.

Ranked 151st in the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of York is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 leading UK universities that maintain high research and teaching standards.

As a resident of a beautiful city, the University of York offers international students ease and convenience to explore other UK and European countries or even Yorkshire’s stunning countryside.

Moreover, this cultural university has over 200,000 international students. You can meet people worldwide through 

• 200 social, 
• cultural and
• religious student-led societies. 

Here are the University of York’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject: 

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Archaeology	3 years	September	£19,600
English Language & Literature			£19,600
Arts & Humanities			£24,000

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

5. University of Portsmouth

Located on the sunny south coast of England, the University of Portsmouth received a 5-star rating for excellence in the QS World University Rankings 2022.

Besides that, The University of Portsmouth takes pride in being one of the universities in the southeast to achieve the highest Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. 

Today, Portsmouth offers more than 200 undergraduate degrees, 150 postgraduate degrees, and 65 research degree programmes.

The University of Portsmouth consists of five faculties: 

• Business and Law, 
• Creative and Cultural Industries, 
• Humanities and Social Sciences, 
• Science and Health, and 
• Technology.

The best part is that Portsmouth is committed to tackling climate change not only through research but also by working towards becoming climate-positive by 2030!

Here are the University of Portsmouth’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject: 

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Geology	3 years	September	£18,300
English Language and Literature			£16,200
Physics and Astronomy			£18,300

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

6. University of Huddersfield 

Located in West Yorkshire, the University of Huddersfield houses 20,000 students. It offers a modern yet supportive learning environment for international students. 

Furthermore, the University of Huddersfield is gold-rated for teaching excellence. It received this award for helping students achieve their study aspirations in their chosen career paths.

Many of the programmes in Huddersfield include industry placements and specialist career advisors to assist international students in developing skills and building a remarkable CV.

That aside, Huddersfield also boasts a vibrant community with plenty of 

• cafes, 
• bars and
•  restaurants for international students to explore.

If you are on a budget, the cost of living in Huddersfield is relatively low, which is ideal for students.

Here are the University of Huddersfield’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject: 

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Performing Arts	3 years	September	Contact us for more details.
Communication and Media Studies
Education and Training

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

7. Keele University 

Keele University is a public research university with over 10,000 students living in Staffordshire.

Established in 1949, Keele University has one of the largest campuses in the UK, covering over 600 acres of beautiful estate. This rural campus caters to students who prefer a calmer environment away from the bustling city for their learning experience.

Moreover, it is known to be a pioneer in research, where 80% of its research is world-leading or internationally excellent, as awarded in the Research Excellence Framework (2021). With its research projects seeking to improve lives and address pressing global social challenges, students can contribute to 

• food security studies, 
• climate change, 
• global health, and 
• sustainability.

On top of that, Keele has also set a very high standard for teaching, as proven by earning a top 10 ranking in England for overall student satisfaction by the NSS (2021).

Here are Keele University’s top subjects based on the Times World University Rankings 2022:

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Psychology	3 years	September	£17,900
Law			£16,800
Education and Social Science			£16,800

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

8. University of West of England (UWE Bristol)

The University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol), is a well-known public research university in Bristol, England. This modern and dynamic university is home to over 30,000 students from over 140 countries.

UWE Bristol has been among the most popular study destinations, as proven by the Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021. It scores above 4.0 in 8 categories, including 

• the overall satisfaction, 
• student-teacher interaction, 
• quality of student life, 
• student diversity, 
• career development, and more. 

Here are the University of West of England Bristol’s top subjects based on the QS World University Ranking by Subject:

Top Courses Offered	Duration (Full-time)	General Intake	Indicative Annual Fee for International Students (2022)
Business and Management	3 years	January and September	£14,250
Economics
Social Science

Contact Uni Enrol for more information regarding university entry requirements, course structure, scholarship availability, and a detailed fee structure.

How do I Apply to a UK University as an International Student? 

Now that you have everything you need to know about pursuing your studies in the UK, it is time to submit your application!

All undergraduates in the UK can apply via an online portal known as UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

Here is a step-by-step process on how UCAS applications are submitted: 

1. Register and create an application on the UCAS website.
2. Apply for your desired universities, up to five programmes. 
3. Complete personal information.
4. Attach previous academic and English language qualifications. 
5. Attach financial documents. 
6. Attach a personal statement. 
7. Hit send and hope for the best. 

Are you still overwhelmed with all the processes? Take a deep breath and schedule an appointment with our counsellors. We will answer all your questions and help you with your application!