Top 10 PhD Universities in UK for International Students

To assist and guide you in achieving your PhD dream in the UK, we have compiled a list of top universities for PhD in UK for international students. So if you are searching for the best schools for PhD programs in UK to consider, then you are on the right page.

The highest academic achievement you can attain in the UK to improve your career and future chances is a PhD. It expands your knowledge base and exhibits your exceptional degree of skill in a certain academic field.

But it is not easy to get admission to study at any of the top PhD universities in the UK. You first need to develop the necessary skills to qualify for top PhD programs at UK universities.

For this reason, we have listed the best universities in the UK to pursue your PhD degree program as well as the requirements for admission into these prestigious institutions. Below are the best schools to consider.

Universities for PhD in UK for International Students

1. Oxford University

Oxford University is acknowledged as one of the best universities in the world and is widely recognized for its groundbreaking research that has greatly benefited the world in several ways.

Oxford is a world-renowned center for education, research, and teaching and is the oldest institution in the history of the English language.

2. University of Cambridge 

The University of Cambridge is a global footprint. The University of Cambridge has been at the forefront of academic study and research for more than eight centuries. The world has changed substantially as a result of their discoveries and innovations.

3. Imperial College London 

You may be chosen to earn full tuition fees and a significant stipend for a PhD spot at Imperial College London if you are an outstanding undergraduate or Master’s student who has a strong ambition to pursue a PhD program at a top-tier research institution. International students can get a PhD at Imperial College London for one of the lowest costs in the UK.

4. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a well-known public research university that is located in the first industrial metropolis in the world. It is one of the biggest institutions in the UK, with over 38,000 active students enrolled.

You will gain a lot from Manchester’s continued investment in the top research facilities and its vibrant research culture, which promotes creative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

5. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s leading research institutions in the United Kingdom. International students are particularly fond of the university.

The PhD program at the University of Edinburgh is designed to prepare you as a researcher with a solid foundation in both your field of study and a specialty area.

6. University of Bristol 

The University of Bristol is renowned for its outstanding research and teaching. The PhD program here offers a way for students to start and complete their own independent research projects.

It provides possibilities for personal and academic growth to prepare you for the social, intellectual, and personal difficulties you will face during your career.

7. University College London

One of the top three multi-faculty universities in the UK, University College London was founded in 1826. Students can prepare an original research thesis with the help of their supervisor by enrolling in the UCL Philosophy MPhil/PhD program (s).

8. King’s College London

King’s College London, one of the leading Ph.D. universities in the UK, offers more than 180 courses to overseas undergraduate students.

Students can also choose from a wide range of master’s, executive master’s, postgraduate diploma, and postgraduate certificate programs in 17 distinct academic subjects. Students can do research in any of Fourteen departments in a wide range of fields through this institution’s MPhil/PhD program.

9. London School of Economics and Political Science

Rolling admissions are available to about 11,000 students each academic year at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The majority of the roughly 55% of LSE candidates from outside the UK come from almost 200 different nations. It is one of the best PhD programs in the UK for overseas students.

10. Newcastle University 

Newcastle University is one of the top universities in the UK in terms of employment prospects. Graduates from Newcastle earn up to 120,000 euros a year on average. The teaching and research conducted here are at the cutting edge of new thinking and investigate and address the challenging problems posed by the evolving job landscape.

Requirements for PhD in UK for International Students

1. English language proficiency is an additional requirement for PhD programs in the UK as it demonstrates your proficiency in the language because it is the most often used language for business. Minimum scores as per the tests are:
   • TOEFL: 88-100
   • IELTS: 6.5-7.5
   • PTE: 66
2. For entry into the Ph.D. program, a master’s degree with a minimum of 70% is necessary. But some of the top universities in the UK would only consider applicants who have a four-year bachelor’s degree.
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Letters of Recommendation
5. Relevant work experience