What are the largest UK universities? Wondering which universities have the most students? You’re in the right place! According to the latest data from HESA, we have compiled and introduced some of the UK’s largest universities by student enrollment in this post. And to make it even easier, we’ve included a table at the end listing the top 100 largest universities in the UK by size. Let’s dive in and discover where the student crowds are!
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Top 10 Largest UK Universities
1. The Open University
The Open University, at the top of the list of UK universities by size, is the largest UK university. It might surprise some international students who aren’t familiar with it. While it may not have the same prestige as some of the more well-known universities in the UK, The Open University has carved out its own unique place in the world of higher education.
Unlike traditional universities, The Open University was created in 1969 to provide flexible education options for students who couldn’t attend regular campus-based schools. The Open University offers distance learning programs that cater to a wide range of students, including working professionals, adults with family commitments, and people who prefer to learn at their own pace. As the biggest university in the UK, The Open University offers a wide variety of courses for students to choose from, and welcomes everyone to study.
Even though it may not have the same prestigious reputation as other universities, The Open University’s emphasis on accessibility and lifelong learning has attracted a large number of students who value the opportunity to pursue higher education in their own way. Having a total student enrollment of 133,265, The Open University has now claimed the title of being the largest university in the UK by size.
2. University College London
With a total enrollment of 51,435 students, University College London (UCL) ranks as the second-largest university in the UK by enrollment. And it is also renowned for its wide range of subjects. The university has a significant international student population, with around 40% of students from overseas.
Founded in 1826, UCL is not only one of the oldest universities in England but also a pioneering institution in terms of inclusivity. As one of the biggest universities in the UK, UCL is the first British institution to admit students regardless of their race, religion, or political beliefs. UCL is highly regarded in the UK education system and is considered one of the top universities in the country. It’s part of the prestigious “Golden Triangle” alongside Cambridge and Oxford, as well as the group known as the G5 universities, which includes Imperial College London and the London School of Economics as well. Being a member of the respected Russell Group, UCL puts a lot of focus on research and manages to attract significant funding in this field.
Located in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury Square, UCL enjoys proximity to renowned institutions such as the British Library, museums, and research centres. The biggest Uni in the UK boasts an impressive alumni network, with 31 Nobel Prize winners, including notable figures like Francis Crick, William Ramsey, and Rabindranath Tagore. Charles Kuen Kao, known as the father of fibre optics communications, is also an alumnus of UCL and received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009.
3. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester takes third place in the list of the largest UK universities by enrollment, with 46,915 students in total. In 2026, the university achieved an impressive global ranking of 35th by QS. It has always been a popular choice among students, receiving over 80,000 applications annually.
Established in 1824, the University of Manchester is located in the vibrant city of Manchester, the UK’s largest industrial city and the second largest overall. It’s a comprehensive university offering a wide range of disciplines and is known as one of the six Red Brick Universities in the UK. It’s also a founding member of the Russell Group.
Manchester’s location is a major advantage, with easy access to nearby cities like Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, and popular destinations like the Peak District and Lake District, two of the UK’s stunning national parks. Transportation is well-developed, with frequent direct trains to London, making the journey only two hours.
The University of Manchester is renowned for its rigorous teaching and a liberal academic ethos. As one of the biggest Unis in the UK, the University of Manchester has an impressive track record of producing world leaders, with 25 Nobel Prize winners among its current and former staff and students. Notably, professors Kostya Novoselov and Andre Geim jointly received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work on graphene.
4. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh holds the fourth spot on the list of the largest universities in the UK, with a total enrollment of 40,625 students. International students make up over 44% of the student population, representing 167 countries.
The University of Edinburgh, one of the biggest UK universities, is highly sought after by students during the application season. It is also a member of the Russell Group and renowned as a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, it ranks 22nd. And in the USNews World University Rankings 2023, it holds the 34th position.
The University of Edinburgh is situated in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The brilliant location of the University of Edinburgh allows its students to explore a rich culture and experience the vibrant city life. Edinburgh is known for its historical significance and has become the second most popular tourist city in the UK, following London. The city hosts the renowned Edinburgh International Arts Festival and various cultural events, attracting many international students. Transportation in Edinburgh is also convenient, with Edinburgh Airport being the largest and busiest airport in Scotland.
The University of Edinburgh offers excellent programs in various fields. The standout majors include business, engineering, computing, education, philosophy, linguistics, archaeology, history, law, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and more, all of which are ranked among the top 100 in the world. The University of Edinburgh Business School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, and offers majors such as Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Human Resource Management, Marketing, and International Business.
5. Manchester Metropolitan University
The Manchester Metropolitan University has 39,545 students and is one of the biggest universities in the UK. The history of Manchester Metropolitan University can be traced back to the founding of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute in 1824, which later became the Manchester Polytechnic in 1970, and was formally recognised as a university in 1992 and renamed to its current name. After nearly two centuries of development, it has become one of the largest universities in the UK, with a long tradition of applied education and a spirit of innovation.
Located in the heart of Manchester, one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, studying at the University provides students with the convenience of urban life. In a few minutes, you can walk to explore the surrounding libraries, museums, shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment venues. Manchester Metropolitan University has a well-developed transportation network, with Oxford Road train station within walking distance. Studying at the biggest university in the UK, students can have more internship opportunities and unique advantages for career development.
Manchester Metropolitan University is renowned for subjects such as art and design, business, law and sports science, and its School of Art is ranked in the top 10 in the UK. With an acceptance rate of around 78% and a graduation rate of 93%, the university has produced a number of distinguished alumni, including Turner Prize winner Thomas Heatherwick, novelist Jeanette Winterson and Premier League footballer Gary Neville, reflecting its excellence in combining teaching and practice.
6. King’s College London
King’s College London, often referred to as KCL, holds the sixth position on the list of the largest universities in the UK, with a total enrollment of 39,435 students. Approximately 40% of its student body comprises international students, showcasing its global appeal.
Established in 1829, King’s College London is one of the founding colleges of the University of London. It was founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in the heart of London, along the prestigious River Thames. KCL is widely recognised as a leading research-led institution and holds the distinction of being the fourth-oldest university in the UK. As a member of both the Russell Group and the Golden Triangle, King’s College London enjoys a stellar academic reputation. In the QS World University Rankings 2023, it secured a 37th position globally.
The main campus of King’s College is situated on River Street in Westminster, London, offering a prime location in the heart of the city. In addition to the main campus, the university has three other campuses along the River Thames and a campus in Denmark Hill, South London.
The university boasts an impressive list of alumni and staff who have achieved significant recognition, among them are 12 Nobel Prize winners. Notable figures such as the renowned poet Thomas Hardy, the celebrated poet John Keats, and Peter Higgs, a prominent figure in theoretical physics, have also graduated from King’s College London.
7. Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University is the seventh largest university in the UK, with a total enrollment of 38,555 students. Nottingham Trent University has a lower proportion of international students, with approximately 10% of its student body coming from international backgrounds.
Nottingham Trent University is situated in Nottingham, England, and operates across three campuses. The City Campus is located in the heart of the city centre, providing students with easy access to various amenities and cultural attractions. The Clifton Campus is situated approximately 30 minutes from the city centre, while the Brackenhurst Campus is around 40 minutes away. The university derives its name from the River Trent, which flows through the city centre.
Established in 1843, Nottingham Trent University is a prominent public comprehensive university located in the city centre of Nottingham, England. It is widely recognised as one of the most popular universities in the UK, offering a comprehensive range of courses and maintaining a strong reputation for academic excellence and teaching quality. The university has received excellent ratings in recent assessments conducted by the governmental Quality Assurance Agency for Education (QAA). Nottingham Trent University is particularly renowned for its strengths in fields such as Journalism, Public Relations, Design, Agriculture, Food Security, and Architecture.
8. Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University is the eighth largest university in the United Kingdom, with over 38,430 students. It was founded in 1962 as a teacher training college and has since grown into a comprehensive university. It is ranked in the top 50 of the Guardian’s UK university rankings for the quality of its teaching and has won a number of national awards for its inclusive education, and is regarded as one of the most popular modern institutions in the South East of England.
Located in the historic city of Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the school combines ancient heritage with modern conveniences. Students will never feel alone studying at one of the largest universities in the UK. Students are within walking distance of the city centre, where they can enjoy an abundance of shopping, dining and cultural resources, such as Canterbury Cathedral and the Shakespeare Theatre. In addition, London is only an hour away by train, making it easy for students to participate in internships or cultural events, while Kent’s beautiful coastline and countryside provide an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts.
Canterbury Christ Church University has strengths in education, healthcare, arts and humanities, and its teacher training program is renowned throughout the UK. With an acceptance rate of about 85% and a graduation rate of 89%, the university has produced many outstanding alumni, including Michael Morpurgo, the famous British children’s author, Georgina Harland, the Olympic gold medalist, and many leaders in the field of primary and secondary education in the UK, fully reflecting the university’s educational philosophy of emphasizing both theory and practice.
9. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is one of the largest university in the UK, with a total of 38,125 students. It’s a comprehensive university located in Scotland and holds the honor of being the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. As a member of the Russell Group, it’s known for its academic excellence. The university also ranks among the top 80 global universities, making it one of the top-notch institutions in the UK and Scotland. The Adam Smith School of Business at the University of Glasgow is particularly impressive, being one of the largest and most renowned business schools in the UK. Many of its graduates go on to work for leading UK investment banks and major corporations.
Situated in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, the university enjoys a vibrant location. Travel to London is convenient, with a direct four-hour train ride. There’s also a frequent train service connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh, which takes just an hour.
The University of Glasgow, one of the biggest UK universities, has a remarkable list of famous alumni. Adam Smith, known as the father of economics, and James Watt, the father of the industrial revolution, are among its notable graduates. The university has produced seven Nobel Prize winners, along with two British Prime Ministers and four founders of higher education institutions. It has nurtured numerous accomplished individuals in law, science, and business.
10. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, with 38,430 students, ranking in the top 10 biggest universities in the UK. Founded in 1904 as Leeds Medical School, the University has since become a member of the Red Brick University Alliance and a member of the Russell Group. Leeds is ranked 86th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and has won the University of the Year award from The Times on several occasions, giving it an international reputation.
The University of Leeds is located in Leeds City Centre, which is both a commercial and cultural centre and a transportation hub. Leeds has a well-developed public transportation network, a 2-hour direct link to London, and is surrounded by natural landscapes such as the Yorkshire Dales, offering a unique balance of urban and outdoor living. As one of the largest student populations in the UK, the University of Leeds also provides numerous employment opportunities for its graduates. Companies such as Ernst & Young, Asda and the BBC have good connections with the university, providing a wealth of opportunities for student internships and employment.
The University of Leeds excels in business, engineering, media and social sciences, with its business school triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) and engineering leading the UK in research. With an acceptance rate of 77% and a graduation rate of 93%, the university has produced many outstanding alumni, including Nobel Prize-winning physicist George Porter, famous Chinese writer Eileen Zhang, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom Jeffrey Howe. The University of Leeds focuses on industry-academia-research integration, rich internship and overseas exchange programs, and diverse and inclusive campus culture, making it an ideal choice for students from all over the world to pursue their academic and professional development.
Largest UK Universities by Enrollment – Full List
Below are the top 100 largest UK Universities by enrollment. Most of them have intensive campus resources and modular degree systems that can efficiently support large-scale teaching and learning needs. The largest UK universities by student numbers also work closely with local industry to ensure that graduates are employable.
| No. | University | Total number of students |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Open University | 133,265 |
| 2 | University College London | 51,435 |
| 3 | The University of Manchester | 46,915 |
| 4 | The University of Edinburgh | 40,625 |
| 5 | The Manchester Metropolitan University | 39,545 |
| 6 | King’s College London | 39,435 |
| 7 | The Nottingham Trent University | 38,555 |
| 8 | Canterbury Christ Church University | 38,430 |
| 9 | The University of Glasgow | 38,125 |
| 10 | The University of Leeds | 38,100 |
| 11 | The University of Birmingham | 36,835 |
| 12 | University of Nottingham | 36,180 |
| 13 | University of the West of England, Bristol | 35,925 |
| 14 | Anglia Ruskin University | 35,895 |
| 15 | University of Hertfordshire | 34,255 |
| 16 | BPP University | 33,750 |
| 17 | Cardiff University | 33,020 |
| 18 | The University of Exeter | 32,880 |
| 19 | Sheffield Hallam University | 32,235 |
| 20 | The University of Bristol | 32,145 |
| 21 | Ulster University | 31,915 |
| 22 | Birmingham City University | 31,415 |
| 23 | The University of Sheffield | 31,070 |
| 24 | The University of Liverpool | 30,735 |
| 25 | University of Northumbria at Newcastle | 30,625 |
| 26 | The University of Greenwich | 29,695 |
| 27 | Coventry University | 29,495 |
| 28 | The University of Warwick | 29,435 |
| 29 | Arden University | 28,710 |
| 30 | Newcastle University | 27,660 |
| 31 | Liverpool John Moores University | 27,170 |
| 32 | The University of Oxford | 27,160 |
| 33 | The University of Salford | 26,155 |
| 34 | Queen Mary University of London | 26,080 |
| 35 | The University of Southampton | 25,995 |
| 36 | The University of Central Lancashire | 25,300 |
| 37 | De Montfort University | 25,245 |
| 38 | Teesside University | 25,045 |
| 39 | Queen’s University Belfast | 24,930 |
| 40 | Bath Spa University | 24,585 |
| 41 | The University of Portsmouth | 24,525 |
| 42 | Leeds Beckett University | 24,040 |
| 43 | University of South Wales | 23,670 |
| 44 | Oxford Brookes University | 23,405 |
| 45 | The University of Strathclyde | 23,265 |
| 46 | University of the Arts, London | 22,800 |
| 47 | The University of Cambridge | 22,710 |
| 48 | City, University of London | 22,560 |
| 49 | The University of York | 22,445 |
| 50 | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine | 22,420 |
| 51 | The University of Westminster | 22,040 |
| 52 | Glasgow Caledonian University | 21,965 |
| 53 | University of Durham | 21,750 |
| 54 | Swansea University | 21,225 |
| 55 | The University of East London | 20,735 |
| 56 | University of Derby | 20,350 |
| 57 | The University of Reading | 20,245 |
| 58 | The University of Lincoln | 20,185 |
| 59 | The University of Huddersfield | 20,030 |
| 60 | The University of Sunderland | 19,975 |
| 61 | The University of Wolverhampton | 19,700 |
| 62 | The University of Bath | 19,695 |
| 63 | Buckinghamshire New University | 19,670 |
| 64 | University of Plymouth | 19,230 |
| 65 | The University of Sussex | 19,220 |
| 66 | Staffordshire University | 19,030 |
| 67 | Loughborough University | 18,825 |
| 68 | Kingston University | 18,825 |
| 69 | Bournemouth University | 18,620 |
| 70 | Aston University | 18,605 |
| 71 | The University of Leicester | 18,480 |
| 72 | The University of West London | 18,410 |
| 73 | The University of East Anglia | 18,390 |
| 74 | The University of Lancaster | 18,380 |
| 75 | The University of Law | 18,285 |
| 76 | The University of Kent | 17,190 |
| 77 | London South Bank University | 16,965 |
| 78 | The University of the West of Scotland | 16,780 |
| 79 | The University of Brighton | 16,665 |
| 80 | The University of Northampton | 16,420 |
| 81 | The University of Surrey | 16,315 |
| 82 | The University of Essex | 16,270 |
| 83 | Middlesex University | 15,855 |
| 84 | University of Wales Trinity Saint David | 15,660 |
| 85 | The University of Hull | 15,575 |
| 86 | Brunel University London | 15,475 |
| 87 | The University of Aberdeen | 15,455 |
| 88 | The University of Dundee | 14,990 |
| 89 | Leeds Trinity University | 14,765 |
| 90 | London Metropolitan University | 14,730 |
| 91 | Robert Gordon University | 14,585 |
| 92 | Edinburgh Napier University | 14,240 |
| 93 | University of Chester | 14,215 |
| 94 | Edge Hill University | 14,000 |
| 95 | University of Suffolk | 13,915 |
| 96 | University of Bedfordshire | 13,790 |
| 97 | Keele University | 13,525 |
| 98 | Royal Holloway and Bedford New College | 12,975 |
| 99 | London School of Economics and Political Science | 12,910 |
| 100 | The University of Stirling | 12,865 |
Largest Universities in the UK FAQ
There are 166 universities in the UK. Many of them have high ranks globally, attracting many international students to further study.
Most undergraduate degrees in the UK take three years to complete. However, some courses, such as medicine, architecture, or engineering, may take longer.
Choosing the right university involves considering factors such as the course offerings, location, reputation, campus facilities, and student support services. Researching university websites, attending open days or virtual events, and speaking with current students or alumni can help you make an informed decision.
| No. | University | Total number of students |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Open University | 133,265 |
| 2 | University College London | 51,435 |
| 3 | The University of Manchester | 46,915 |
| 4 | The University of Edinburgh | 40,625 |
| 5 | The Manchester Metropolitan University | 39,545 |
| 6 | King’s College London | 39,435 |
| 7 | The Nottingham Trent University | 38,555 |
| 8 | Canterbury Christ Church University | 38,430 |
| 9 | The University of Glasgow | 38,125 |
| 10 | The University of Leeds | 38,100 |
The Open University is the biggest university in the UK, with around 133,265 students. The Open University (OU) is the UK’s largest university in terms of student numbers because of its unique open education model and flexible online learning system. Students can enroll without an academic background and complete their studies through online courses, correspondence material and regional learning centers.
No, UCL is the second biggest uni in the UK with 51,435 students, after the Open Univeristy.
The University of Manchester has 46,915 students and is the third largest UK university by size.
