20 Best University Campuses In The UK

Employment rates, good faculty, flexible programs - who needs all of those when you’ve got one of the best campuses in the country, right? Jokes aside, a college campus plays a significant role in choosing where you go to study. After all, you don't want to spend the best years of your life in run-down old buildings that get no sunlight. Our list of the 20 best university campuses in the UK is here to help which UK university campus would make the best backdrop for your uni life!  

Loughborough University

Founded: 1909
Location:  Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom

Did you know that the university’s campus 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 biggest and greenest campuses in the country. The campus spans over 523 acres, and only 60% of the university’s campus is built upon. Want to leave your mark on the campus? Well, if you study here, you may be able to contribute to the university’s facade. The college’s fine arts students made the stained glass windows in the university’s Hazlerigg building! 

Royal Holloway, University of London

Founded: 1879
Location: Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, United Kingdom

Burn, baby burn! The Royal Holloway campus is home to the most flammable building in the country. The university’s Founders building is completely insulated with soaked paraffin straws. But don’t worry, the building hasn't gone up in flames (yet). If you’re looking for beautiful old (non-flammable) buildings, this is one of the best university campuses in the UK for you to visit. The campus spans over 135 acres and is located in the midst of some of the greenest areas of Egham. 

Is the UK the place for you? Find out everything you need to know about studying in the UK!

University of Exeter

Founded: 1955
Location: Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom

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. On a nice sunny day, you can roam around the campus grounds and discover cosy hidden nooks around the gardens. The campus also holds a Green Flag Award, recognised by the UK government as having well-maintained and good-quality public parks. Not sold yet? The university’s great campus is just one of the many reasons you should study in Exeter!

University of Liverpool

Founded: 1881
Location: Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom

Located in the city of the Beatles, the University of Liverpool has one of the best university campuses in the UK. Perhaps the best part of the campus is Abercromby Square, a beautiful open quad in the middle of the campus that is the perfect place to spend a sunny day. Named after a general who died during the Battle of Alexandria, this piece of UK history is readily available to any student of the University of Liverpool. If you’re looking for more of the city’s history, make sure to visit Liverpool’s best museums. 

Lancaster University

Founded: 1964
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom

The Lancaster University campus is located at Bailrigg, a stunning 560-acre parkland property about three miles from the heart of the city. The campus is open to all, and the local community is welcome to make use of many of its facilities and participate in any events on the Bailrigg campus. The university also always has a raft of ducks waddling across the campus and swimming around the ponds that they jump into. They have one of the best libraries in the country, and the best part its open 24/7, so your if your noisy roommate is too much to handle, you always have a place to go. If the library isn't for you, you can always take your books and head to some of the best cafes in Lancaster. 

University of Leeds

Founded: 1904
Location: Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

Coming up next is our personal favourite - the University of Leeds. If you love art, the University of Leeds is the place for you. Not only does the campus have two art galleries, but there are also a number of different art pieces sprawled all over campus that make the area one of the best university campuses in the UK. Don’t be surprised if you come across a stone head poking out from underneath the bushes outside the Old Bar, it's a piece of art history!  

Edge Hill University

Founded: 1882
Location: St Helens Rd, Ormskirk L39 4QP, United Kingdom

Spanning over 160-acres, Edge Hill University’s Ormskirk Campus is one of the best university campuses in the UK. An environmentally conscious campus, Edge Hill has taken a number of steps to try and reduce its carbon footprint. These may include the use of renewable energy sources, the implementation of energy-efficient insulation in student housing, and the development of green roofs. They have also adopted environmentally-friendly practices such as campus beekeeping and hedgehog-friendly habitats. 

University of Sheffield

Founded: 1905
Location: Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom

Need a wedding venue? The University of Sheffield’s Endcliffe Village houses a tiny boutique hotel where people have hosted a variety of events - including weddings! The campus is not only one of the best university campuses in the UK but also one of the largest with over 440 buildings across 600 acres of land. There is also a huge piece of public art located near the studnet village in Endcliffe sculpted by local artist Mark Firth (and no, we checked but he’s not related to Colin Firth). 

University of Cambridge

Founded: 1209
Location: The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom

One of the best university campuses in the UK, this institution is located in the heart of Cambridge. Most of Cambridge University's older colleges are situated near the city center, along the River Cam, which is a popular spot for taking in the views of the university's buildings and surroundings. The brickwork of several colleges is also noteworthy, with Queens' College featuring some of the earliest patterned brickwork in the country and the brick walls of St John's College showcasing a variety of styles such as English bond, Flemish bond, and Running bond.

University of Oxford

Founded: 1096
Location: 1096Oxford OX1 2JD, United Kingdom

The University of Oxford boasts one of the best university campuses in the UK, with its historic and picturesque setting adding to its charm. The campus is home to a number of beautiful and iconic buildings, including the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College. The university's stunning gardens and parks, including the University Parks and the Christ Church Meadows, provide a peaceful and green space for students to relax and unwind. Additionally, the university's central location in the city of Oxford makes it easy for students to access all that the city has to offer. Sounds exciting? Here’s everything you need to know to get into Oxford Univeristy!

University of Nottingham

Founded: 1881
Location: Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

The University of Nottingham has many campuses, but the one that makes the list of the best university campuses in the UK is there Jubilee Campus. The Jubilee Campus is a 65-acre campus 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. It is also home to the Millenium Garden which is a beautiful open space where students can go to relax after a long week of classes. 

University of Dundee

Founded: 1881
Location: Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom

The Univeristy of Dundee’s city campus is perfect for anyone who wants the feel of a large, open campus without having to live hours away from the city centre. 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. These campuses have many green spaces and comfortable areas for students to study and socialise.

University of Bath

Founded: 1966
Location: Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom

One of the best university campuses in the UK, the main campus of this institution is located on the outskirts of Bath and was built in 1966. Its modernist architecture and close 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!

Newcastle University

Founded: 1963
Location:  Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom

This beautiful university campus boasts plenty of green spaces and a unique blend of old and modern architecture. The campus is conveniently located just a short walk from the city center and the main shopping district, making it easy to get to lectures and seminars and find places to grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat. As one of the best university campuses in the UK, this institution in Newcastle is also committed to sustainable development and has declared a Climate Emergency, pledging to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030.

University of St Andrews

Founded: 1413
Location: St Andrews KY16 9AJ, United Kingdom

One of the oldest and best university campuses in the UK, St Andrew’s Eden Campus has undergone significant changes following investments from the UK and Scottish Governments and many other partners, to transform the former paper mill site into a hub for academia and industry. The campus 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. 

University of Reading

Founded: 1892
Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Rd, Reading RG6 6UD, UK

The main campus of the University of Reading, consistently recognised as one of the best university campuses in the UK, is the centre of university life. Set on 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, and features a lake, woodlands, and the popular Harris Garden, all open for students, staff, and the local community to enjoy. 

University of Birmingham

Founded: 1900
Location: Weoley Park Rd, Hamilton Drive, Birmingham B29 6QW, United Kingdom

As one of the best university campuses in the UK, this campus 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 socialize. The green and spacious campus, located just minutes 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.

Nottingham Trent University

Founded: 1843
Location: 50 Shakespeare St, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, United Kingdom

One of the best university campuses in the UK, their City Campus captures the essence of Nottingham itself. 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. 

Durham University

Founded: 1832
Location:  Durham, United Kingdom

Durham University has one of the best university campuses in the UK, with its beautiful and historic setting adding to its charm. The campus is home to a number of impressive and iconic buildings, including Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, which have been recognised as a World Heritage Site. The university's location in the city of Durham allows students to experience a unique blend of urban and rural living, with easy access to all that the city has to offer as well as beautiful countryside just a short distance away. 

University of Glasgow

Founded: 1451
Location:  Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom

Located in the West End of Glasgow, the University of Glasgow’s  Gilmorehill campus offers a compact, campus-style environment that provides easy access to the city centre by public transportation or on foot. This campus is home to a majority of its teaching and research facilities and will soon be expanded through a £1 billion development program, which 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. 

That was our list of the 20 best university campuses in the UK! If this has got you excited about the country, check our guide to applying to UK universities. The UK is home to some of the most beautiful campuses in the world, and even if you don’t end up studying at these colleges, make sure to pop by the campuses for a fun day out.