10 Best UK Universities 2019 | Excel Education

How to choose a ‘right’ university in the UK

There are hundreds of universities in the UK, choosing the right university that can define your future can be challenging.

In common, most students living in overseas cannot afford the luxury of travelling to the UK for a campus tour and choose the ‘right’ university in a short period. Most likely, they will have to make their decision based on the following four factors:

• the ranking of the university
• the quality and recognition of a particular program
• the tuition fee and cost of living;
• and the recommendation from their parent and friends

Here’s a list of the best universities in the UK you can consider applying in 2019

1. Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (BCU) comprises three main campuses, with additional buildings located throughout the largest city, Birmingham, England. The university is 75 minutes (by train) away from London and 90 minutes from Manchester. The university equips itself with around 50 professional accreditations.

The most famous program at Birmingham City University is Information Technology (IT), which was delivered on behalf of leading international IT giants from Cisco and Microsoft. Besides, the university is also recommended for ‘Art and Design’, ‘Fashion’, and ‘Accounting, Economics and Finance’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £12,000 (RM64,000) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £13,000 (RM69,400) a year.

The cost of living in Birmingham City is about £1,000 – £1,500 (RM5,500 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices (like whether they do not mind to share a room with someone else or required to occupy a whole room by him/herself).

In total, a full year cost to study at Birmingham City University should be around £24,400 (RM130,000).

Website: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/

2. Anglia Ruskin University

Located in the Cambridge. 9 out of 10 Anglia Ruskin graduates are either secure themselves to a full-time position or further study within 6 months after graduating. Anglia Ruskin University is known as one of the safest city in the UK. The university attracts those who keen in both the excitement of the new and the experience of the old. It’s gorgeous gothic architecture, main attractions within punting distance, rich historical building, lush botanic gardens and the tranquil River Cam make it one of the UK’s most visited cities.

The recommended programs to study at Anglia Ruskin University are ‘Business’, ‘English’, ‘Drama’, ‘Music’, ‘Psychology’ and ‘Psychology with Criminology’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £12,500 (RM66,700) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £12,750 (RM68,000) a year.

The cost of living in Cambridge is about £1,000 – £1,500 (RM5,500 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at Anglia Ruskin University should be around £25,000 (RM133,400).

Website:  https://www.anglia.ac.uk/

3. University of Hertfordshire (2019 QS Ranking #751-800)

Hertfordshire considers a countryside of England, bordered by Bedfordshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the northeast, Essex to the east, Buckinghamshire to the west and Greater London to the south. Hertfordshire is well-served with motorways and railways, providing good access to London which is 20 minutes travel distance by train. The University of Hertfordshire is a modern university based largely in Hatfield. It has more than 23,000 students.

The recommended programs to study at University of Hertfordshire are ‘Law’ (Which is recognised by Bar Council of Malaysia), ‘Media and Animation’, ‘Music’, and ‘Business (especially finance)’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for both classroom-based and lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £13,250 (RM70,700) a year.

The cost of living in Hertfordshire is about £900 – £1,200 (RM4,800 – 6,400) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at University of Hertfordshire should be around £24,400 (RM130,000).

Website:  https://www.herts.ac.uk/

4. University of Portsmouth (2019 QS Ranking #601-650)

The University of Portsmouth is a public university in the city of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Portsmouth is a lively and cosmopolitan city on the south coast of England, just 90 minutes from central London. It is a great place to live, work and study. The city was named the UK’s most affordable city for students in the Natwest Student Living Index in 2016. The University currently housed around 22,000 students, including almost 4,000 international students from over 130 countries. A growing reputation for excellence means the University is becoming the preferred destination for many students, tutors and researchers.

In many academic areas, the University has simulated environments providing a practical learning experience. The recommended programs to study at University of Portsmouth are ‘Architecture’ (Which is recognised by Architect Board of Malaysia (LAM), ‘Pharmacy’, ‘Engineering & Technology’, ‘Media’ and ‘Business’ programs.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £12,400 (RM66,200) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £13,450 (RM71,700) a year.

The cost of living in Portsmouth is about £1,000 – £1,500 (RM5,500 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at University of Portsmouth should be around £24,800 (RM132,500).

Website:  https://www.port.ac.uk/

5. Swansea University (2019 QS Ranking #435)

Swansea University is a public research university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University has 7 colleges spread across its two campuses which are located on the coastline of Swansea Bay. Swansea University is the third largest university in Wales in terms of number of students. It currently offers about 330 undergraduate courses and 120 post-graduate courses to about 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Swansea University is ranked 16th in the UK for graduate employment and Top 200 most international university in the world (THE, 2016).

The recommended programs to study at Swansea University is ‘Engineering’ programs especially civil and chemical engineering.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £15,500 (RM82,000) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £18,450 (RM97,600) a year.

The cost of living in Swansea is about £1,200 – £1,500 (RM6,400 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at Swansea University should be around £30,200 (RM160,000).

Website:  https://www.swansea.ac.uk/

6. Brunel University London (2019 QS Ranking #332)

Brunel University London is a public research university located in Uxbridge, West London, United Kingdom, just 9450 minutes away from central London. The university is divided into three colleges (College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Health and Life Sciences) and three major research institutes (Institute of Energy Futures, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, and Institute of Materials and Manufacturing). Brunel has specialist laboratories for electronic imaging, bioprocessing and experimental techniques; flight, driving and train simulators; a 3-D body scanner; an MRI scanner; motion-capture equipment; an occupational therapy suite; sports and performing arts facilities; and academic archives in cult film and contemporary writing.

The recommended programs to study at Brunel University London are ‘Engineering’ and ‘Accounting and Business’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for both classroom-based and lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is £15,900 (RM84,000) a year.

The cost of living in West London is about £1,300 – £1,800 (RM7,000 – 9,600) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at Brunel University London should be around £32,100 (RM170,000).

Website:  https://www.brunel.ac.uk/

7. Plymouth University (2019 QS Ranking #601-650)

The University of Plymouth is a public university based predominantly in Plymouth, England. The university has a modern in outlook but with a proud heritage that dates back more than 150 years. Plymouth has everything student can expect from the largest city in the South West – major high street stores, theatres, multiplex cinema, art cinemas, and a wealth of small clubs and venues. Plymouth was named the second safest place to live in Britain in Provident’s Unbroken Britain Survey 2017. Over 150 clubs and societies are available for students to participate if they ever feel bored or to make some new friends.

The recommended programs to study at Plymouth University are ‘marine science’, ‘Maritime & Ocean’, ‘Marine Biology’, ‘Occupation Therapy’ (demanded skill in Singapore), and ‘Architecture’ (recognised by Architect Board of Malaysia (LAM).

The average tuition fees (International Students) for both classroom-based and lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is £13,500 (RM71,500) a year.

The cost of living in Plymouth is about £1,000 – £1,500 (RM5,500 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at Plymouth University should be around £26,000 (RM137,500).

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/

8. University of Greenwich (2019 QS Ranking #701-750)

Known by the Hollywood movies ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and ‘Thor: The Dark World’ which were filmed at the iconic Gherkin tower and the historic University of Greenwich building. The University of Greenwich is a public and research-oriented university located in London, in the United Kingdom. It has three campuses located mainly in the Old Royal Naval College, and in Avery Hill and Medway. The university’s range of subjects includes architecture, business, computing, mathematics, education, engineering, humanities, maritime studies, natural sciences, pharmacy and social sciences.

The recommended program to study at University of Greenwich is Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialism in International Business. This two (2) years MBA program consists of 1-year coursework and 1 year paid internship. This is a good packaged program for those (international students) who look forward to study and work in the UK at the same time. In general, student can earn up to £25,000 – £30,000 a year with a full-time position.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about  £13,000 (RM69,000) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £15,500 (RM83,000) a year.

The cost of living in London is about £1,300 – £1,800 (RM7,000 – 9,600) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at University of Greenwich should be around £29,000 (RM153,000).

Website: https://www.gre.ac.uk/

9. De Montfort University

Known by the world-renowned shoe designer aka. Malaysian entrepreneur, Jimmy Choo, where he graduated from. De Montfort University (DMU) is located in the city of Leicester, England. The University has four faculties: Art, Design, and Humanities; Business and Law; Health and Life Sciences; and Technology (comprising Computing Sciences and Engineering). There is also the Institute of Creative Technologies which researches the intersections of art, science, technology and multidisciplinary working.

The recommended programs to study at De Montfort University are ‘Fashion’ and ‘Pharmacy’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for both lab-based and non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £13,750 (RM72,500) a year.

The cost of living in Leicester is about £1,000 – £1,500 (RM5,500 – 8,000) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at De Montfort University should be around £26,200 (RM138,500).

Website: www.dmu.ac.uk/

10. Queen’s University Belfast (2019 QS Ranking #180)

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university offers academic degrees at various levels and across a broad subject range, with over 300 undergraduate programs available. QUB’s is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association, Universities Ireland and Universities UK. The university is associated with two Nobel laureates and one Turing Award laureate.

The recommended programs to study at Queen’s University Belfast are ‘Food Science’, ‘Pharmacy’, ‘Engineering & Technology’, ‘Law’, ‘Architecture’, and ‘Business and Finance’.

The average tuition fees (International Students) for a non-lab based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £16,400 (RM86,600) a year and a lab-based undergraduate degree and postgraduate master is about £20,200 (RM106,700) a year.

The cost of living in Belfast is about £500 – £800 (RM2,600 – 4,200) a month depending on student’s lifestyle and expenditure choices.

In total, a full year cost to study at Queen’s University Belfast should be around £22,300 (RM117,800).

Website: www.qub.ac.uk/

The program fee and cost of living listed above are provided as a general guide only, the course fees were captured base on the publicly available information on the internet. Please consult with our education advisor for further explanation. 

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