The best option for choosing a university in the UK is always a public institution because of its advantages in terms of education quality, degree options, student social activities, etc. Most public universities are multiple institutes offering students numerous undergraduate and graduate degree options.

With over 500,000 international students, primarily from outside the European Union, the United Kingdom is an intriguing study-abroad destination. Due to the UK's top-notch education system, there are numerous options among the best public universities in the country, many of which are ranked among the best in the world, making it the ideal location for students to relocate there. 

It is well known that public universities in the UK offer affordable and intellectually stimulating education, making them a popular choice among international students.

All foreign students who seek to progress on the international stage have dreamed of studying in the UK. The UK, one of the best countries for education and student life, is renowned for its prestigious universities. The UK is home to 4 of the top 10 universities in the world, demonstrating that it has a top-notch educational system.

And in particular, students are invited to be accepted to one of the best public universities in the UK if they want to study there. Government agencies either own or support public universities. The UK's public universities are independent organizations that receive funding directly from the government.

Consequently, serving the citizens of one's state through teaching, research, and service endeavors across the nation constitutes a fundamental goal of public universities. Public universities are preferable to private universities when pursuing a degree abroad. These public universities work to advance the state's educational, social, and economic prospects. 

Why study at a Public University in the UK

• The UK is a well-known study destination because it provides high-quality education, with many of its public universities ranking among the best in the world.
• Numerous public universities in the UK are well known to offer more reasonably priced and intellectually stimulating education, making them a preferred option among international students.
• Due to their longstanding reputation, public universities in the UK will offer you more employment opportunities than private ones if you graduate from one of them.
• The government provides more or less all the funding for public universities in the UK, so public universities have lower tuition fees than private universities for the best courses offered in the country.

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Top Public Universities in the UK 

Since there are so many elite universities in the UK, it can be challenging to track and sort them out. However, the UK is proud of its abundance of top universities.

Let's look at some of the best public universities in the UK for international students so you can make an informed decision.

Oxford University

• With about 30,000 students, the University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities ever established.
• With a 17.5% acceptance rate, Oxford selects almost 18 students for admission for every 100 applicants.
• It is regarded as one of the oldest and best universities in the entire world. International students frequently travel there.
• One-third of the students at Oxford are international, and 65% of the UG and PG students are true outsiders from countries other than the UK.
• One of the oldest in the world, Oxford University has 38 colleges and 70 research departments.
• Boris Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Indira Gandhi are some of Oxford University's illustrious alumni.

University of Cambridge

• One of the UK's top 5 public universities and one of the most exclusive is the University of Cambridge.
• The acceptance rate for applicants at the university is only 15-20%. 
• The university has 48,000 students enrolled, and the Privy Council has granted it accreditation.
• The University's hallways have been graced by 121 Nobel Laureates, 194 Olympic medalists, and 14 British prime ministers, all of whom are currently active members of the Cambridge alumni network.
• Through its 31 colleges and more than 150 departments, Cambridge awards undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

Imperial College of London

• Imperial College London, a prestigious research institution, is one of the best public universities in the UK for master's programs. 
• The university has a stellar reputation for conferring degrees in STEM disciplines like science and engineering.
• The academy is located in London, a densely populated city, and it currently has nearly 18,000 students enrolled.

University College of London

• University College London is another of the UK's public master's universities and a popular destination for international students. 
• It has a 63% acceptance rate and admits students based on their performance on the entrance exam. 
• The 50,000-student institution offers a wide range of excellent undergraduate and postgraduate programs taught by some of the best faculty. 
• UCL is the best university in the UK because of its all-time best student-teacher average; there is one teacher for every student at UCL.

University of Edinburgh

• With 30,000 students, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's largest universities and is well known for its excellent academic programs.
• The chancellors of this university, which accepts 40–50% of applicants, have historically been members of the royal family.
• APJ Abdul Kalam, Bill Gates, and Malala Yousafzai are just a few of the honorary graduates of Edinburgh University.
• One of Scotland's oldest universities, it offers a variety of academic programs in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, as well as in medicine and veterinary medicine, science, and engineering.

University of Manchester

• The University of Manchester believes to have the highest rate of international student migration among UK universities, with 8,500 international students. 
• The university is renowned for its friendly atmosphere toward international students and for nurturing a multicultural environment. 
• It has one of the most diverse student organizations in the United Kingdom. 
• The two storied Premier League teams, Manchester United and Manchester City, were frequent guests at the University of Manchester, significantly contributing to its popularity.
• It's interesting that all fee-paying international students at Manchester's universities are guaranteed to house.
• With a 95% employability rate, it is one of the best universities for students who want to pursue science and engineering.
• They provide more than 1000 degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and have more than 16,000 overseas students.

London King’s College

• King's College London, one of the top public universities in the UK with a focus on research, is situated in the center of London. 
• The highest priority is professional growth in their excellent law, humanities, and medical science programs. 
• The largest European center for biomedical research, King's is home to six Medical Research Council centers. 
• Proud KCL graduates include DNA structure, IVF, and hepatitis C pioneers.
• Of the 27,000+ students enrolled at King's College, 10,000 are college graduates.

London School of Economics & Political Science

• The London School of Economics and Political Science is well-known for its 140 taught graduate programs; you will study at one of the world's most esteemed social science institutions.
• With students from over 140 countries studying abroad, the university has a diverse student body.
• Its student body represents 150 nationalists, and approximately 100 languages are spoken at the university.
• The LSE has delivered 18 Nobel Laureates in economics, peace, and literature.

University of Warwick

• The University of Warwick has approximately 30,000 students from over 50 nations.
• The university's admission policy is also widely recognized as moderately selective.
• Warwick University offers a double degree option and student exchange with Columbia University, McGill University, and other universities.
• One in every seven students who apply to Warwick is accepted. 
• Warwick is a research-intensive university that offers medical, engineering, science, the arts, and social sciences degrees.

University of Bristol

• The overall number of students at the University of Bristol is approximately 27,000.
• The university is approximately 111 years old and is well-known for its various degree-level programs in the arts and humanities.

Kingston University

• Compared to all other universities in the UK, the university campus is small, serene, and endearing. 
• Kingston University offers a variety of arts programs with a focus on professional degrees. 
• Notably, Kingston University provides numerous scholarships for undergraduate and graduate programs to cover tuition costs for international students.
• The top 50 universities in the UK are also ranked, and Kingston University is one of them. Over 140 countries make up nearly 24% of student enrollments from abroad.

Top Public Universities: Tuition fees

Top Public Universities: Course Offered

Top Public Universities: Eligibility Requirements

• A minimum grade in your 12th grade or a bachelor's degree is required.
• Universities in the UK require a minimum GMAT, GRE, or university-specific entrance exam score for postgraduate programs.
• You must provide bank statements because you must be in good financial standing in order to pay your tuition.
• Get documentation of your English proficiency test.
• 700–800 word SOP.
• It is essential to have letters from former professors or employers attesting to your talent and potential.
• It's highly essential to have a resume that details all of your academic, extracurricular, and other accomplishments.

Top Public Universities: Application Process

• Make sure you satisfy all qualifying conditions.
• Make a decision on a public university and your preferred course of study.
• Perfect your statement of purpose by writing it.
• Create an account on the UCAS website and begin completing the application.
• For various universities, you must pay a £25 application fee and attach all necessary paperwork.
• Wait 6–8 weeks before contacting the university.
• If chosen, the university will issue you a Confirmation Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter, which is helpful when applying for visas.
• Request a UK Tier-4 visa.

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Top Public Universities: Scholarships

• British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships
• S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
• Felix Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)
• Scotland Saltire Scholarships
• Goa Education Trust Scholarships
• Queen Mary University Scholarships
• University of Westminster Scholarships

Most public universities in the UK offer prestigious undergraduate and graduate programs. You will also find it simpler to benefit from job and career opportunities not just in the UK but all over the world if you attend one of these top universities in the UK. 

So go ahead and start your academic journey by applying to one of the renowned public universities in the UK.