List of universities in the United Kingdom by enrolment

This article comprises two lists of institutions in the United Kingdom ranked by the number of students enrolled in higher education courses. The first list, based on data from the academic year 2024/25, breaks down student enrolment by level of study, while the second list, from academic year 2021/22, provides a total student enrolment figure without distinguishing between undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The statistics in both lists are confined to students studying within the United Kingdom and exclude those engaged in distance-learning or transnational education programs conducted overseas. For reference, in the 2022/23 academic year, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) recorded 576,705 overseas students. Universities with significant numbers of overseas students in 2018/19 included the Open University (48,805), University of London (37,850), Liverpool (22,645), Liverpool John Moores (21,780), and Coventry (21,085).[1]

Universities and other higher education providers by size and level of study

The source for the figures is the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics for 2024/25.[2] The student numbers include full-time and part-time, and are broken down into undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some institutes enrol students in both higher education and further education courses, so student numbers may be higher for such institutes. Numbers are of actual enrolments, not FTEs. The data show that 2.62 million people were enrolled in higher education at the 169 higher education providers reporting statistics to HESA.

Rank Institution Undergraduates Postgraduates Total students FTE students
– University of London[a] [3]
1 The Open University 117,695 6,885 124,580

45,175

2 University College London[b] 25,705 25,610 51,315 N/a
3 University of Manchester 30,565 15,735 46,305

42,890

4 University of Edinburgh 25,790 13,225 39,015

36,185

5 Manchester Metropolitan University 32,300 7,100 39,395

35,870

6 King's College London[b] 23,200 17,670 40,870

35,150

7 Nottingham Trent University 29,865 5,575 35,435

32,170

8 Canterbury Christ Church University 35,395 2,990 38,385

34,655

9 University of Glasgow 24,300 14,410 38,710

34,500

10 University of Leeds 26,155 8,425 34,580

33,635

11 University of Birmingham 25,530 14,500 40,025

34,790

12 University of Nottingham 28,415 8,050 36,460

34,610

13 University of the West of England 25,070 11,310 36,380

29,410

14 Anglia Ruskin University 25,140 9,230 34,370

28,160

15 Cardiff University 24,645 6,860 31,505

28,020

16 University of Exeter 23,500 9,605 33,105

28,995

17 Sheffield Hallam University 21,990 8,775 30,765

25,285

18 University of Bristol 23,865 8,570 32,435

30,510

19 Ulster University 21,005 11,910 32,915

27,005

20 Birmingham City University 24,455 7,420 31,875

27,315

21 University of Sheffield 20,215 8,065 28,280

26,870

22 University of Liverpool 23,490 7,560 31,050

28,215

23 Northumbria University 20,750 8,935 29,685

25,645

24 University of Warwick 19,475 8,405 27,880

25,685

25 Coventry University 19,700 9,805 29,505

25,020

26 Newcastle University 21,245 5,985 27,230

26,255

27 Liverpool John Moores University 20,275 5,380 25,650

22,350

28 University of Oxford 14,355 11,865 26,225

21,840

29 University of Salford 18,975 7,050 26,030

22,810

30 Queen Mary, University of London[b] 16,520 8,120 24,640

23,100

31 University of Southampton 17,645 8,140 25,785

24,340

32 University of Central Lancashire 17,225 6,640 23,865

19,245

33 De Montfort University 17,340 5,815 23,155

19,555

34 Teesside University 12,960 8,610 21,570

16,455

35 Queen's University Belfast 18,210 6,870 25,080

21,740

36 University of Portsmouth 17,965 6,050 24,015

20,730

37 Leeds Beckett University 16,295 5,995 22,290

19,365

38 University of South Wales 6,015 20,790

16,750

39 University of Strathclyde 14,515 7,710 22,225

19,810

40 University of the Arts London 16,555 6,395 22,950

20,625

41 University of Cambridge 13,345 9,220 22,565

21,040

42 City, University of London[b] 19,470 7,760 27,230

23,510

43 University of York 16,015 6,330 22,345

20,360

44 Imperial College London 12,080 10,440 22,525

21,310

45 University of Westminster 17,615 3,325 20,940

18,865

46 Glasgow Caledonian University 15,525 6,680 22,205

18,340

47 Durham University 16,560 4,590 21,150

20,650

48 Swansea University 15,000 3,985 18,985

17,165

49 University of East London 15,045 11,710 26,755

21,500

50 University of Derby 14,475 4,420 18,895

13,885

51 University of Reading 14,125 7,240 21,370

17,425

52 University of Lincoln 12,830 6,725 19,560

14,265

53 University of Huddersfield 12,865 3,495 16,360

12,615

54 University of Sunderland 14,430 5,850 20,280

16,660

55 University of Wolverhampton 15,970 7,695 23,665

15,945

56 University of Bath 15,995 4,535 20,530

18,955

57 Buckinghamshire New University 16,585 1,905 18,490

17,070

58 University of Plymouth 14,460 3,485 17,945

15,880

59 University of Sussex 12,920 4,375 17,290

15,980

60 Staffordshire University 14,600 2,485 17,085

14,135

61 Kingston University 14,805 4,010 18,815

17,075

62 Loughborough University 15,490 3,470 18,955

18,030

63 Bournemouth University 12,705 4,155 16,860

14,325

64 Aston University 14,430 5,135 19,565

15,855

65 University of Leicester 14,675 4,315 18,990

17,370

66 University of West London 12,980 4,710 17,690

15,670

67 University of East Anglia 12,535 4,410 16,945

14,855

68 Lancaster University 13,935 4,685 18,620

16,840

69 University of Kent 13,340 2,730 16,070

14,440

70 London South Bank University 12,460 3,300 15,760

12,755

71 University of the West of Scotland 12,760 6,345 19,105

16,510

72 University of Brighton 14,150 3,255 17,405

14,625

73 University of Northampton 10,685 2,820 13,505

12,355

74 University of Surrey 12,500 3,930 16,430

15,195

75 University of Essex 9,310 4,710 14,015

12,205

76 Middlesex University 10,465 4,555 15,020

12,545

77 University of Wales Trinity Saint David 12,800 2,615 15,415

12,555

78 University of Hull 9,035 5,680 14,715

12,165

79 University of Aberdeen 9,815 4,115 13,930

12,115

80 University of Dundee 9,785 3,650 13,435

11,820

81 Leeds Trinity University 12,430 1,285 13,715

12,780

82 London Metropolitan University 10,030 3,635 13,665

11,200

83 Robert Gordon University 10,150 4,690 14,840

9,800

84 Edinburgh Napier University 10,255 3,550 13,805

12,705

85 University of Chester 8,215 5,305 13,520

11,790

86 Edge Hill University 9,790 3,540 13,330

10,915

87 University of Suffolk 12,600 990 13,590

11,665

88 University of Bedfordshire 6,705 2,295 9,000

8,275

89 Keele University 9,990 3,695 13,680

10,850

90 Royal Holloway, University of London[b] 10,935 2,180 13,115

12,445

91 London School of Economics[b] 5,785 7,160 12,950

12,590

92 University of Stirling 8,700 3,045 11,750

10,270

93 University of Bradford 7,830 2,940 10,770

9,400

94 Roehampton University 7,085 4,865 11,945

10,200

95 University of Bolton 7,835 4,740 12,570

10,825

96 University of St Andrews 9,180 2,460 11,645

10,800

97 University for the Creative Arts 13,955 1,155 15,110

13,815

98 Cardiff Metropolitan University 9,410 2,855 12,265

11,030

99 York St John University 7,320 4,830 12,150

11,175

100 Bangor University 6,665 3,270 9,935

8,280

101 Heriot-Watt University 6,890 2,955 9,845

8,940

102 Solent University 7,825 685 8,515

7,605

103 University of the Highlands and Islands 7,325 1,355 8,685

6,140

104 University of Cumbria 6,525 2,540 9,065

6,400

105 University of Worcester 6,840 1,915 8,755

7,525

106 Wrexham Glyndŵr University 4,955 3,605 8,560

4,980

107 Birkbeck, University of London[b] 4,495 3,225 7,720

5,805

108 Goldsmiths, University of London[b] 4,490 3,420 7,910

6,915

109 Aberystwyth University 7,375 1,590 8,970

6,515

110 University of Gloucestershire 5,570 2,560 8,135

6,740

111 University of Winchester 5,880 965 6,840

6,135

112 St Mary's University, Twickenham 3,905 2,055 5,965

5,160

113 University of Chichester 4,595 1,780 6,375

5,475

114 Queen Margaret University 3,830 2,760 6,590

5,165

115 University College Birmingham 5,730 1,030 6,760

6,245

116 School of Oriental and African Studies[b] 4,315 2,085 6,400

5,990

117 Harper Adams University 4,640 650 5,285

3,180

118 Liverpool Hope University 4,425 905 5,330

4,850

119 Cranfield University 455 4,550 5,000

2,590

120 Abertay University 3,815 1,175 4,990

3,895

121 Newman University 4,775 725 5,500

4,750

122 Arts University Bournemouth 3,395 345 3,740

3,575

123 St George's, University of London[b] n/a n/a n/a

n/a

124 University of London (Institutes and activities) 1,535 1,745 3,280

1,365

125 University of Buckingham 1,810 1,645 3,455

2,915

126 Norwich University of the Arts 2,645 120 2,765

2,655

127 Royal College of Art 145 2,405 2,555

2,460

128 University of St Mark and St John 4,190 660 4,850

3,865

129 Glasgow School of Art 1,970 870 2,845

2,720

130 Royal Veterinary College[b] 2,120 455 2,575

2,305

131 Hartpury University 2,265 280 2,550

2,345

132 Bishop Grosseteste University 1,845 515 2,360

2,005

133 London Business School[b] 2,275 2,275

1,705

134 Leeds Arts University 2,085 95 2,175

2,095

135 SRUC 1,695 125 1,820

1,425

136 Stranmillis University College 1,055 375 1,430

1,105

137 Arts University Plymouth 1,535 75 1,610

1,230

138 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 870 360 1,230

1,155

139 Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 965 350 1,315

1,205

140 Leeds College of Music 1,240 60 1,300

1,285

141 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 665 385 1,050

990

142 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 1,050 45 1,095

1,080

143 Royal Northern College of Music 585 350 935

945

144 Grŵp Llandrillo Menai 785 45 825

505

145 Rose Bruford College 755 115 870

770

146 Royal Central School of Speech and Drama[b] 640 375 1,015

975

147 Royal Academy of Music[b] 385 390 775

765

148 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine[b] 945 945

735

149 Royal College of Music 490 505 995

945

150 Royal Agricultural University 760 165 925

870

151 St Mary's University College, Belfast 850 215 1,060

920

152 Writtle University College n/a n/a n/a

n/a

153 AECC University College 1,335 770 2,110

1,665

154 Courtauld Institute of Art[b] 270 360 630

610

155 University College of Osteopathy n/a n/a n/a

n/a

156 National Film and Television School 585 585

455

157 Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 210 210

135

158 Institute of Cancer Research[b] 370 370

250

159 Gower College Swansea 30 30

5

160 Grŵp NPTC Group 110 110

65

161 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama


162 University of Wales (central functions) 12,800 2,615 15,415

12,555

Universities and other higher education providers by size (2021/22)

The data source for these statistics is also the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the academic year 2021/22.[2] The student figures encompass both full-time and part-time students, without distinction between undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. Some institutions enroll students in both higher education and further education programs, potentially leading to higher student numbers in such cases. It's important to note that these statistics reflect actual student enrollments and not full-time equivalent (FTE) counts. According to the latest available data from HESA, a total of 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education at the various institutions reporting data to HESA for the academic year 2021/22.

Rank HE Provider Total
1 The Open University 151,840
2 University College London 46,830
3 The University of Manchester 46,410
4 The University of Glasgow 42,980
5 King's College London 41,490
6 The Nottingham Trent University 41,465
7 The University of Edinburgh 41,250
8 Coventry University 38,190
9 The University of Birmingham 37,990
10 University of Nottingham 37,260
11 The University of Leeds 37,190
12 University of the West of England, Bristol 37,170
13 Manchester Metropolitan University 36,980
14 Anglia Ruskin University 35,195
15 Ulster University 34,550
16 Sheffield Hallam University 34,535
17 Cardiff University 33,985
18 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 32,570
19 The University of Exeter 32,465
20 University of Hertfordshire 31,940
21 University of Bristol 31,485
22 The University of Sheffield 30,860
23 Birmingham City University 30,285
24 The University of Warwick 28,825
25 The University of Liverpool 28,680
26 De Montfort University 28,335
27 University of Central Lancashire 28,325
28 Liverpool John Moores University 28,100
29 The University of Oxford 27,290
30 Newcastle University 27,280
31 University of Greenwich 26,610
32 University of Portsmouth 26,500
33 Queen Mary University of London 26,045
34 The University of Strathclyde 25,715
35 The University of Salford 25,415
36 Queen's University Belfast 25,295
37 Canterbury Christ Church University 24,660
38 The University of Southampton 23,795
39 The University of York 23,420
40 Leeds Beckett University 23,365
41 University of South Wales 23,270
42 Teesside University 22,695
43 The University of Cambridge 22,610
44 University of the Arts, London 22,455
45 Swansea University 22,290
46 University of Durham 22,230
47 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 21,470
48 University of Derby 20,955
49 University of Westminster 20,915
50 The University of Huddersfield 20,885
51 City, University of London 20,685
52 Buckinghamshire New University 20,570
53 University of Wolverhampton 20,250
54 University of the West of Scotland 20,070
55 Glasgow Caledonian University 20,050
56 University of Sunderland 19,975
57 Kingston University 19,920
58 The University of Sussex 19,865
59 University of East London 19,550
60 The University of Reading 19,390
61 Middlesex University 19,225
62 London South Bank University 19,185
63 The University of East Anglia 19,130
64 University of Plymouth 19,095
65 The University of Bath 18,890
66 Loughborough University 18,760
67 University of West London 18,695
68 Brunel University London 18,655
69 Staffordshire University 18,460
70 University of Kent 18,155
71 The University of Essex 18,110
72 University of Dundee 18,100
73 University of Lincoln 17,975
74 Bournemouth University 17,960
75 The University of Brighton 17,835
76 The University of Lancaster 17,770
77 Aston University 17,595
78 Oxford Brookes University 17,470
79 University of Leicester 16,670
80 The University of Aberdeen 16,565
81 University of Bedfordshire 16,430
82 The University of Northampton 16,100
83 BPP University 15,910
84 University of Surrey 15,575
85 Edinburgh Napier University 15,530
86 The University of Law 15,235
87 Arden University 15,120
88 The University of Hull 15,075
89 University of Wales Trinity Saint David 15,045
90 Robert Gordon University 14,970
91 University of Stirling 14,895
92 Edge Hill University 14,700
93 University of Suffolk 14,555
94 University of Chester 14,325
95 London Metropolitan University 13,435
96 Bath Spa University 13,240
97 London School of Economics and Political Science 12,975
98 Cardiff Metropolitan University 12,620
99 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 12,480
100 Roehampton University 12,335
101 Keele University 12,235
102 The University of Bradford 11,885
103 University of St. Andrews 11,820
104 Heriot-Watt University 11,680
105 Leeds Trinity University 11,640
106 The University of Bolton 10,995
107 Birkbeck College 10,660
108 Bangor University 10,505
109 Solent University 10,070
110 University of the Highlands and Islands 10,005
111 University of Worcester 9,900
112 Goldsmiths College 9,880
113 University of Cumbria 9,705
114 University for the Creative Arts 9,430
115 The University of Winchester 8,280
116 University of Gloucestershire 8,210
117 York St John University 7,935
118 Aberystwyth University 7,845
119 Glyndŵr University 7,490
120 BIMM University 7,045
121 Falmouth University 6,635
122 SOAS University of London 6,295
123 Queen Margaret University 6,250
124 University of Chichester 5,985
125 St Mary's University, Twickenham 5,895
126 Liverpool Hope University 5,640
127 Cranfield University 5,400
128 Harper Adams University 5,275
129 University College Birmingham 5,170
130 St George's, University of London 4,825
131 Abertay University 4,790
132 University of London (Institutes and activities) 4,290
133 The Arts University Bournemouth 3,725
134 University of Buckingham 3,430
135 Regent College 3,160
136 Study Group 3,040
137 University College of Estate Management 3,010
138 University of St Mark and St John 2,890
139 Birmingham Newman University 2,760
140 Norwich University of the Arts 2,760
141 Royal Veterinary College 2,590
142 Ravensbourne University London 2,585
143 Royal College of Art 2,575
144 Glasgow School of Art 2,440
145 London Business School 2,390
146 Bishop Grosseteste University 2,370
147 Hartpury University 2,355
148 Leeds Arts University 2,340
149 Global Banking School Limited 1,895
150 Regent's University London 1,865
151 Kaplan, Inc. 1,835
152 SRUC 1,700
153 Hult International Business School 1,660
154 Nelson College London Ltd 1,630
155 Leeds Conservatoire 1,540
156 ICON College of Technology and Management 1,365
157 Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 1,340
158 Stranmillis University College 1,325
159 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 1,245
160 Royal Agricultural University 1,240
161 The London College UCK 1,190
162 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 1,125
163 Istituto Marangoni 1,125
164 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 1,105
165 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 1,105
166 Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance 1,105
167 Bloomsbury Institute 1,095
168 Royal Central School of Speech and Drama 1,085
169 Institute of Contemporary Music Performance 1,080
170 Arts University Plymouth 1,060
171 St Mary's University College 1,040
172 AECC University College 1,035
173 AA School of Architecture 1,010
174 Hult International Business School 995
175 Royal College of Music 995
176 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 990
177 ACM Guildford Limited 960
178 Pearson College London 940
179 Applied Business Academy Limited 920
180 Grŵp Llandrillo Menai 910
181 Royal Northern College of Music 870
182 Writtle University College 830
183 CEG UFP Limited 805
184 Kaplan International Colleges U.K. Limited 805
185 Royal Academy of Music 790
186 Point Blank Music School 775
187 University Centre Peterborough 750
188 Mont Rose College of Management and Sciences 745
189 SAE Education Limited 745
190 London School of Management Education 725
191 Richmond, The American International University in London 695
192 ESCP Business School 605
193 Courtauld Institute of Art 600
194 National Film and Television School 555
195 Le Cordon Bleu 555
196 Met Film School 530
197 University College of Osteopathy 475
198 New College of the Humanities 470
199 St Mellitus College 465
200 The Metanoia Institute 455
201 Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts 450
202 London School of Theology 445
203 Apex College London 430
204 David Game College 405
205 Futureworks 400
206 LAMDA Limited 380
207 The Institute of Cancer Research 365
208 Arts Educational Schools 345
209 The College of Health Ltd 345
210 Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education 340
211 London Film School 340
212 London Studio Centre 320
213 London School of Commerce & IT Ltd 295
214 The London Institute of Banking & Finance 295
215 City and Guilds of London Art School 280
216 Spurgeon's College 280
217 West Dean College 280
218 Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 270
219 Norland College 270
220 Waverley Abbey College 250
221 London Churchill College 245
222 Institute of Art - London Limited 240
223 The City College 215
224 London School of Science and Technology Limited 215
225 The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute Limited 215
226 Christ the Redeemer College 210
227 British Academy of Jewellery Limited 205
228 London Bridge Business Academy 200
229 Moorlands College 200
230 Backstage Academy (Training) Ltd 195
231 Royal Academy of Dramatic Art 195
232 The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine 185
233 Empire College London Limited 180
234 Grŵp NPTC Group 180
235 Paris Dauphine International 180
236 The Minster Centre 175
237 The Council of the Inns of Court 165
238 Northern College of Acupuncture 165
239 Regents Theological College 165
240 Trinity College Bristol 160
241 The Film Education Training Trust Limited 150
242 Nazarene Theological College, Manchester 150
243 University Centre Quayside Limited 150
244 Cambridge Theological Federation 145
245 London School of Academics Ltd 140
246 Dartington Hall Trust 130
247 The Markfield Institute of Higher Education 130
248 Matrix College of Counselling and Psychotherapy Ltd 130
249 Central Film School London 125
250 Cliff College 125
251 Royal Academy of Dance 125
252 Cambridge Arts and Sciences Limited 120
253 College of Legal Practice Limited 120
254 The London School of Architecture 115
255 Results Consortium Limited 105
256 INTO University Partnerships 100
257 ThinkSpace Education Limited 90
258 Chicken Shed Theatre Company 85
259 Luther King House Educational Trust 85
260 All Nations Christian College 85
261 College of Osteopaths 80
262 The Institute of Ismaili Studies 80
263 Missio Dei 80
264 St Patrick's International College 80
265 MLA College 75
266 Bristol Baptist College 70
267 The Islamic College 65
268 The London Interdisciplinary School Ltd 65
269 Newbold College 65
270 Amity Global Education 60
271 Gower College Swansea 50
272 Dyson Technical Training Limited 40
273 ForMission Ltd 40
274 Raindance Educational Services Ltd 40
275 The Salvation Army 40
276 Courtyard Theatre, London 35
277 New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) 35
278 London College of Contemporary Music 30
279 Industrial Common Ownership Movement 30
280 The Engineering and Design Institute London 25
281 JSA Education Group Ltd. 20
282 The Prince's Foundation 20
283 BRIT School 15
284 Waltham International College Limited 10
285 Kensington College of Business 5

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The University of London is a confederal organisation made up of a number of constituent colleges which, along with the University's central institutions and activities, are listed separately.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Constituent college of the University of London.

References

  1. ^ "Where do HE students come from?: Transnational education". HESA. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider: HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. ^ Combined total from "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider: HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 27 January 2026.Included institutions are Birkbeck, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, City, University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmiths, Institute of Cancer Research, King's College, London Business School, LSE, LSHTM, Queen Mary, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Holloway, Royal Veterinary College, SOAS, St George's, UCL and the central institutes & activities.
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