5 Types of UK Universities

Want to study at one of the most esteemed UK universities? There are several universities in the UK that are decades and even centuries old. For instance, 1000-year-old Oxford University in England is still one of the most highly ranked universities in the world.

Besides that, there are more prestigious universities in the UK. That’s why this country is a top destination for international students to compete for their graduate and post-graduate degrees.

If you are also willing to study at any reputed UK-based university, you might be feeling confused about how to apply and which university to choose. In this article, we discuss things one must consider when planning to study in the UK.

How does the educational system in the UK work?

It is pretty similar to how the education system in different countries works. For instance, undergraduate courses are for three years. During the undergraduate program, you study one subject that you apply for. But there are some exceptions to this.

Some honours courses enable students to study two subjects. And, other longer courses that are 5 years long, like medicine, also offer one year of experience within the country or in any other country.

For postgraduate education, the degree course is furthermore specialized. You have to pick the subjects for completing master’s courses. Besides the classes, you also have to attend seminars and do research projects to get more clarity on the opted course.

If you choose to complete a PhD course, it includes a more detailed study in a specific subject that involves in-depth study.

Various types of courses for higher education in the UK

Do a thorough research online for deciding the desired course for your higher education in the UK. You need to be 18 years old or above to apply for a higher education degree. These courses are often offered in:

• Colleges
• Universities
• Specialized institutions, such as agriculture, medical, architecture, or art school

Qualifications for higher education are:

• Diplomas
• Foundation degrees
• Bachelor degrees
• Post-graduate degrees

Different types of UK universities

Here are various types of UK-based universities you can opt for your higher education course:

1. Ancient universities

Universities in the UK that have been established even before the 19th century are called ancient universities. Such universities in the UK are one of the higher educational institutions to help students build their career paths.

Some reputed ancient universities in the country are:

• University of Oxford
• University of Glasgow
• The University of St Andrews, etc.

2. Red Brick universities (also called civic universities)

These universities have been established to ensure development. Therefore, these educational institutions focus on offering exceptional knowledge of engineering and science.

While these universities are called civic universities, formally, they are called ‘red brick’ because of their architecture.

The popular UK red brick universities are:

• University of Liverpool
• University of Birmingham
• University of Sheffield
• University of Leeds
• The University of Manchester, etc.

3. Plate glass universities (also known as 1960’s universities)

In the Robbins report, the UK was considered to have very few universities during social and economic growth in the 1960’s. Therefore, the UK government announced plans to build more new universities, which are called plate glass universities today.

The term ‘plate glass’ is due to their modern architecture boasting glass all around.

Popular UK-based plate glass universities include:

• Aston university
• University of York
• University of Essex
• Lancaster university
• University of East Anglia
• The University of Kent, etc.

4. Modern universities

Educational institutions that were established or given the status of ‘university’ after 1992 are called modern universities. While these are new universities, they offer no less quality education than their older counterparts. Modern universities follow advanced teaching techniques to offer top-notch education to students.

Top UK-based modern universities are:

• Birmingham City University
• De Mont-fort University
• Anglia Ruskin University
• University of Brighton
• University of Greenwich
• Coventry University, etc.

5. New universities (also called metropolitan/polytechnic/universities)

The educational institutions established in the 1970s-1980s for offering polytechnic education were given the title of new universities. These institutions are best for boosting the knowledge and skills of students aiming to learn science, engineering, and technology. However, these institutions were granted the title of ‘university’ in 1992.

UK-based new universities are:

• Middlesex University
• Nottingham Trent University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Plymouth
• The University of Northumbria, etc.

Choosing the best among the UK universities

Given below are some essential things to consider when choosing the best UK university for your education:

1. Understanding rankings

So, consider ranking to begin your research for the best university. But you need to understand what these rankings are based on to make a final decision. The rankings depend on various factors, like the quality of teaching, research, students’ opinion, etc.

2. Compare different universities

When choosing the right university, you have to make comparisons among the shortlisted universities. To conclude, you have to answer the given questions:

• Which university provides flexibility and the best course options as per your needs?
• How do universities perform in various research activities?
• What are their rankings in terms of student care and satisfaction?
• What teaching standards do they have?
• What facilities do they provide, such as lecture halls, teaching techniques, study spaces, etc.?
• What placement guarantees do they offer?
• What is their fee structure?

After finding the answers to these questions, you can most probably conclude.

3. Location

You also have to select the right location of a university, as per your preferences. For instance, do you want to study in a city, somewhere remote, or town? Does the cost of living impact your decision-making? Do you want to study in Wales, Scotland, England, or any other city?

How to apply?

When you apply for an undergraduate degree, register, and apply to various UK universities. You may apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

If you want to apply for a postgraduate course, you need to meet the specific admission requirements of a specific university. Do check the course requirement of various universities. And, then decide. For further Inquires, consult the immigration experts at Landmark Immigration.