Top 20 Best University Campuses in the UK in 2024

Student life is incomplete without a good college campus apart from completing your studies in the UK. Student life is one of the most crucial years in one's educational journey. Experiencing the best university campuses in the UK is also a dream of your hustling student life, right? We've got you covered with the list of the top 20 best university campuses in the UK to help you decide the best university campus for your student life in the UK. 

What is a University Campus?

A University campus is an area or space surrounding the university or an institution. It is located on the outskirts or edge of a city or town. The university maintains and takes care of the campus. The best university campuses in the UK in 2024 consist of playgrounds, gardens, lecture halls, libraries, and more. 

Top 20 Best University Campuses in the UK

From historic halls to modern marvels, we'll take you through a curated list of the best university campuses in the UK. These campuses offer not just world-class education but also a vibrant student experience. The best university campus in the UK has a wide range of facilities and amenities for students and attracts individuals from all over the world. Without any further ado, let's dive into the list of the top 20 best university campuses in the UK.

1. Loughborough University, Loughborough

Founded: 1909‍

Courses Offered: 245

Average Tuition Fees: £18,650 to £19,100

Acceptance Rate: 68%

QS world ranking: 212

Average Campus Score: 4.8

Did you know that Loughborough University has the biggest university campus in the UK that is used to house an entire nine-hole golf course? The course has since been built upon, but that doesn't mean the campus has lost its charm. The campus is often cited as one of the best university campuses in the UK, primarily because it is one of the greenest campuses in the UK. It is one of the largest university campuses in the UK and spans over 523 acres of land.

2. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham 

Founded: 1879‍

Courses Offered: 50

Average Tuition Fees: £9250 to £15,600 (yearly)

Acceptance Rate: 17%

QS world ranking: 413

Average Campus Score: 4.8

The Royal Holloway campus is home to the most explosive building in the country. The university's Founders Building is completely insulated with soaked paraffin straws. The best university campus in the UK has beautiful, non-flammable buildings. The biggest university campus in the UK spans over 135 acres and is located in some of the greenest areas of Egham. 

3. University of Exeter, Exeter

Founded: 1955‍

Courses Offered: 350

Average Tuition Fees: £20,000

Acceptance Rate: 6.7%

QS world ranking: 153

Average Campus Score: 4.7

Crowned the “best-gardened campus in Britain” by The Times, the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus is one of the best university campuses in the UK. The campus spans over 300 acres and is a registered Botanic Garden, home to over 10,000 trees and shrubs. The best university campus in the UK also holds a Green Flag Award and is recognised for having well-maintained and good-quality public parks. The best university campuses in the UK are just one of the many reasons you should study in Exeter!

4. University of Liverpool, Liverpool

Founded: 1881‍

Courses Offered: 400

Average Tuition Fees: £9000

Acceptance Rate: 14%

QS world ranking: 176

Average Campus Score: 4.5

The University of Liverpool is located in the city of the Beatles and is one of the best university campuses in the UK. Perhaps the best part of it is Abercromby Square is a beautiful open quad in the middle of the campus that is the perfect place to spend a sunny day. The best university campus in the UK is named after a general who died during the Battle of Alexandria. If you're looking for more of the city's history, make sure to visit Liverpool's best museums. 

5. Lancaster University, Lancaster

Founded: 1964‍

Courses Offered: 500

Average Tuition Fees: £19,849 to £38,518

Acceptance Rate:  19%

QS world ranking: 122

Average Campus Score: 4.7

The Lancaster University campus is located at Bailrigg, a stunning 560-acre parkland property near the city. The best university campuses in the UK are open to all, providing a range of facilities and events on the Bailrigg campus. This university campus in the UK has one of the best libraries in the country, which is always open. Students not wanting to study in the library can always take their books and head to some of the best cafes in Lancaster.

6. University of Leeds, Leeds 

Founded: 1904‍

Courses Offered: 506

Average Tuition Fees: £16,600

Acceptance Rate: 61%

QS world ranking: 75

Average Campus Score: 4.6

The University of Leeds campus consists of two art galleries and numerous art pieces. Due to its beautiful art galleries and art pieces, it is listed among the best university campuses in the UK. The university offers world-class education and research-led teaching in its courses. The university campus is surrounded by numerous cafes and hangout spots for you to chill apart from your studies. 

7. Edge Hill University, Ormskirk

Founded: 1882‍

Courses Offered: 250

Average Tuition Fees: £12,1250

Acceptance Rate: 26%

QS world ranking: 801

Average Campus Score: 4.7

Edge Hill University is spread over 160 acres and is one of the best university campuses in the UK. The university has various carbon footprints made using renewable energy sources. It implements energy-efficient insulation and green roofs, making it stand out from the rest of the universities in the UK. The university also consists of sports facilities, study spaces, collaborative hideaways, and stimulated workspaces.

8. University of Sheffield, Sheffield 

Founded: 1905‍

Courses Offered: 485

Average Tuition Fees: £25, 530 to £53,212

Acceptance Rate: 86%

QS world ranking: 104

Average Campus Score: 4.7

The University of Sheffield is one of the best and also one of the most beautiful in the UK, with over 440 buildings across 600 acres of land. The University's Endcliffe Village houses a tiny boutique hotel where students can host a variety of events. The best university campuses in the UK consist of halls located on campus, making it a space for students to socialise and study under the same roof.

9. University of Cambridge, Cambridge

Founded: 1209‍

Courses Offered: 201 

Average Tuition Fees: £9,250 to £21,732

Acceptance Rate: 21

QS world ranking: 2

Average Campus Score: 4.8

The University of Cambridge, located at the heart of Cambridge, is one of the best university campuses in the UK. Most of Cambridge University's older colleges are situated near the city centre, along the River Cam, where you can view the university buildings and surroundings. Students can also view the patterned brickwork carved on the Queen's College and the brick walls of St John's College while studying at the university. The university has excellent teaching facilities on campus, making it stand out from the crowd.

10. University of Oxford, Oxford

Founded: 1096‍

Courses Offered: 100

Average Tuition Fees: £

Acceptance Rate: 17.5%

QS world ranking: 3

Average Campus Score: 4.7

The University of Oxford boasts one of the best university campuses in the UK, with its historic and picturesque setting adding to its charm. This campus is home to numerous beautiful and iconic buildings, including the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College. The university's stunning gardens and parks provide a peaceful and green space for students to relax and unwind. Further, due to its location, students have easy access to all that the city has to offer. 

11. University of Nottingham, Nottingham

Founded: 1881‍

Courses Offered: 711

Average Tuition Fees: £9,802 to £90,171

Acceptance Rate: 11%

QS world ranking: 100

Average Campus Score: 4.5

The University of Nottingham has many campuses, but the one that makes the list of the best university campuses in the UK is the Jubilee Campus. This 65-acre campus is located just one mile from University Park. Its facilities, which were officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999, are among the most advanced and modern available at the time. This best university campus in the UK is also home to the Millennium Garden, a beautiful open space where students can relax.

12. University of Dundee, Dundee

Founded: 1881‍

Courses Offered: 450

Average Tuition Fees: £21,900 to £26,917

Acceptance Rate: 36%

QS world ranking: 441

Average Campus Score: 4.7

The University of Dundee's city campus is perfect for students wanting the feel of a large, open campus without having to live hours away. Dundee has one of the best university campuses in the UK, offering convenient access to a range of amenities, including housing, libraries, classrooms, student unions, and fitness centres in the Dundee student accommodation. It consists of a wide range of green spaces and comfortable areas for students to study and socialise. Further, due to the beautiful gardens and parks located within the campus, it is among the nicest university campuses UK. 

13. University of Bath, Bath

Founded: 1966‍

Courses Offered: 310

Average Tuition Fees: £18,500 to £20,000

Acceptance Rate: 10%-20%

QS world ranking: 148

Average Campus Score: 4.5

One of the best university campuses in the UK, the main campus of the University of Bath is located on the outskirts of Bath and was built in 1966. Its modernist architecture and proximity to the charming city of Bath make it a highly desirable alternative to London universities. The campus itself is reminiscent of many American college campuses, so if you want a little taste of the American college experience without having to leave the UK, this is the place for you!

14. Newcastle University, Newcastle

Founded: 1963‍

Courses Offered: 500

Average Tuition Fees: £22,110

Acceptance Rate: 87%

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom

QS world ranking: 110

Average Campus Score: 4.5

This best university campus in the UK boasts plenty of green spaces and a unique blend of old and modern architecture. Newcastle University is conveniently located just a short walk from the city centre and the main shopping district. As one of the best university campuses in the UK, this institution in Newcastle is also committed to sustainable development. It has declared a climate emergency, pledging to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030.

15. University of St Andrews, Andrews

Founded: 1413‍

Courses Offered: 1400

Average Tuition Fees: £20,770

Acceptance Rate: 41% to 51%

QS world ranking: 95

Average Campus Score: 4.5

St Andrew's Eden Campus is one of the best university campuses in the UK and has undergone significant changes following investments from the UK and Scottish Governments. The university transformed the former paper mill site into a hub for academia and industry with the help of investments from different government bodies. St. Andrews is home to an award-winning biomass energy centre, a solar PV project, and a fabrication and prototyping facility. It will also soon host a centre for energy storage and conversion and a first-of-its-kind centre for battery development with a state-of-the-art dry laboratory. 

16. University of Reading, Reading

Founded: 1892‍

Courses Offered: 466

Average Tuition Fees: £16,850

Acceptance Rate: 86%

QS world ranking: 169

Average Campus Score: 4.

The main campus of the University of Reading is consistently recognised as one of the best university campuses in the UK. It is also the centre of university life, with a set of 130 hectares of beautifully maintained parkland. It offers a wide range of places to eat, shop, study, and socialise. The campus has received ten consecutive Green Flag awards, recognising it as one of Britain's top green spaces featuring a lake, woodlands, the popular Harris Garden and so on.

17. University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Founded: 1900‍

Courses Offered: 450

Average Tuition Fees: £9000 to £14.550

Acceptance Rate: 13.54%

QS world ranking: 84

Average Campus Score: 4.5

As one of the best university campuses in the UK, the University of Birmingham serves as a gathering place for a diverse community of students. With 35,000 students from over 150 different countries, it is a place to learn, relax, and socialise. The green and spacious campus, located just minutes away from the bustling city of Birmingham, feels like a town of its own. Here, students have the opportunity to try new activities, develop new skills, and make lasting friendships. 

18. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

Founded: 1843‍

Courses Offered: 265

Average Tuition Fees: £9000

Acceptance Rate: 22%

QS world ranking: 595

Average Campus Score: 4.6

One of the best university campuses in the UK, Nottingham Trent University's City Campus captures the city's essence in itself. The university campus is large enough to inspire and small enough to foster a sense of community. This campus brings together the best of our proud traditions and the most innovative new ideas and practices. Six of their academic schools are based here, along with an innovative public art gallery, open-working office space for local businesses, and the NLS Legal Centre. 

19. Durham University, Durham

Founded: 1832‍

Courses Offered: 300

Average Tuition Fees: £9000 to £16000

Acceptance Rate: 41%

QS world ranking: 78

Average Campus Score: 4.4

Durham University has one of the best university campuses in the UK, with its beautiful and historic setting adding to its charm. This campus is home to numerous impressive and iconic world heritage sites, like the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The university's location in the city of Durham allows students to experience a unique blend of urban and rural living. The best university campus in the UK has easy access to all that the city has to offer. 

20. University of Glasgow, Glasgow

Founded: 1451‍

Courses Offered: 30

Average Tuition Fees: £18,650 to £19,100

Acceptance Rate: 74%

QS world ranking: 76

Average Campus Score: 4.3

The University of Glasgow's Gilmorehill campus is located in Glasgow's West End and provides easy access to the city centre via public transportation or by walking. This best university campus in the UK is home to a majority of its teaching and research facilities. The University of Glasgow will soon be expanded and will include a mix of research, teaching, and public spaces. At the centre of the campus stands the beautiful Gilbert Scott building, which features an iconic bell tower - a renowned landmark of the city, making it the best university campuses in the UK. 

If the best university campuses in the UK appeal to you then check our guide to applying to UK universities. The UK is home to some of the most beautiful campuses in the world. Also, it offers a wide range of degrees in various fields like research, management, finance and so on. Even if you don't end up studying at these colleges, make sure to pop by the campuses for a fun day out. The best university campuses in the UK offer top-notch and high-end facilities for you to experience while you study. 

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