Johnny English Discovery University Placement Service

We provide the consultation and support needed to get our client from Basic English language learning as a teenager to the BA, MA, BSc, MSc degree in the best universities in UK and other English speaking countries as an adult.

We support and guide students through every stage of choosing and applying to their university.

Top Universities in the UK 2015/16

We help place successful students on degree courses at over 80 different universities in the UK (see the list of universities below), on a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

1. University of Cambridge One of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Cambridge is currently placed joint 3rdin

the world rankings, alongside Stanford University. This prestigious university dates back to 1209 and

has many notable alumni, including Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin.

2. University of Oxford 

The oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford is this year placed 6th in the world

rankings. The institution’s Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world, while its

notable alumni include no less than 26 British prime ministers.

3. UCL (University College London)UCL is ranked 7th in the world and the highest ranking university in London in the 2015/16 edition of

the tables. Founded in 1826, UCL is a major centre for biomedical research, and was both the first

university to be founded in London and the first to admit women on equal terms with men.

4. Imperial College London 

Ranked 8th in the world this year, Imperial College London was founded by Prince Albert (husband of

Queen Victoria). It specializes in business, engineering, medicine and science and formed the first

academic health science centre in the UK.

5. King’s College London (KCL)Ranked joint 19th in the world alongside Australian National University (ANU), KCL was founded in

1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. It is well known for its medical teaching and

biomedical research and is home to six Medical Research Council centres, more than any other

British university.

6. University of Edinburgh

 

Ranked 21st in the world rankings this year, the University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and is the highest ranking among sea. Alongside international events such as the annual Edinburgh Festival,

the university has contributed to the city’s status as one of the UK’s major hubs of culture and

academia.

7. University of ManchesterCurrently ranked 33rd in the world, the University of Manchester is the largest single-campus university

in the UK, as a result of the merger of two Manchester universities in 2004. It is a major research

centre with a strong reputation both within and beyond the UK.

8. London School Of Economics And Political Science (LSE)LSE has climbed an impressive 36 places in the QS World University Rankings this year, now placing

35th in the world, partly as a result of methodology refinements which have balanced out an earlier

bias towards science-focused institutions. A research university specializing in social sciences, LSE

has a highly international student body.

9. University of Bristol

 

The University of Bristol is placed 37th in the world this year. It was founded in 1876 as University

College, Bristol. The university has been associated with 11 Nobel laureates throughout its history

and is well-respected for its research.

10. University of Warwick 

Ranked 48th in the world, the University of Warwick (which is actually located in Coventry in the West

Midlands rather than in Warwickshire) is one of the leading research universities in the UK, and was

founded in 1965 with the aim of increasing access to higher education.11. Durham University – ranked 61st in the world (a good climb from its place at joint 92nd in the

world last year).12. University of Glasgow – ranked joint 62nd in the world with Carnegie Mellon University.

13. University of St Andrews – ranked 68th in the world. 

14. University of Nottingham – ranked joint 70th in the world with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 

15. University of Birmingham – ranked 76th in the world. 

16. University of Sheffield – ranked 80th in the world.

17. University of Southampton – ranked 81st in the world.

18. University of Leeds – ranked joint 87th in the world with Pohang University of Science and

Technology (POSTECH).19. University of York – ranked 103rd in the world.

20. Queen Mary, University Of London (QMUL) – ranked 109th in the world.

21. Lancaster University – ranked 121st in the world.

22. Cardiff University – ranked 122nd in the world.

 

23. University of Aberdeen – ranked joint 137th in the world.

24. University of Liverpool – ranked 151st in the world.

25. University of Reading – ranked joint 156th in the world.

26. University of Bath – ranked 159th in the world.

27. University of Exeter – ranked 161st in the world.

28. Newcastle University – ranked 162nd in the world.

29. Queen’s University of Belfast – ranked joint 182nd in the world. 

30. University of Sussex – ranked 187th in the world. 

31. Loughborough University – ranked 228th in the world.

32. Royal Holloway University of London – ranked 231st in the world.

 33. University of Leicester – ranked joint 235th in the world.

34. University of East Anglia (UEA) – ranked 239th in the world.

35. University of Surrey – ranked joint 247th in the world.

36. University of Strathclyde – ranked joint 249th in the world.

37. University of Dundee – ranked joint 261st in the world.

38. SOAS - School of Oriental And African Studies, University Of London – ranked joint

275th in the world.39. Birkbeck College, University of London – ranked 290th in the world.

40. City University London – ranked 301st in the world.

41. University of Essex – ranked joint 303rd in the world.

 

42. Heriot-Watt University – ranked 318th in the world.

43. Oxford Brookes University – ranked joint 324th in the world. 

44. Brunel University – ranked joint 331st in the world.

45. Aston University – ranked joint 346th in the world.

46. University of Kent – ranked 360th in the world.

47. University of Stirling – ranked joint 384th in the world.

48. Swansea University – ranked joint 400th in the world.

49. Bangor University – ranked 411-420 in the world.

50. Goldsmiths, University of London – ranked 451 – 460 in the world.

51. Kingston University – ranked 471-480 in the world.

52. Aberystwyth University – ranked 501-550 in the world.

 53. Keele University – ranked 501-550 in the world.

54. University of Bradford – ranked 551-600 in the world.

55. University of Hull – ranked 551-600 in the world.

56. University of Ulster – ranked 551-600 in the world.

57. University of Portsmouth – ranked 601-650 in the world – new this year.

58. London Metropolitan University – ranked 651-700 in the world.

59. Middlesex University – ranked 651-700 in the world.

60. University of Plymouth – ranked 651-700 in the world.

61. University of Salford – ranked 651-700 in the world.

62. University of East London – ranked 701+ in the world. 

63. Coventry University – ranked 701+ in the world. 

64. Manchester Metropolitan University – ranked 701+ in the world.

65. Northumbria University at Newcastle – ranked 701+ in the world.

66. Nottingham Trent University – ranked 701+ in the world.

67. Robert Gordon University – ranked 701+ in the world.

68. University of Central Lancashire – ranked 701+ in the world.

69. University of Greenwich – ranked 701+ in the world.

70. University of Hertfordshire – ranked 701+ in the world.

71. University of Huddersfield – ranked 701+ in the world.

Top 10 Universities in London

1. University College London (UCL) University College London – known as UCL – has

overtaken Imperial College London as the highest ranking

university in London this year, ranking 7th in the world. UCL is

extremely popular with international students, who account

for more than a third of its student body. A multidisciplinary

institute, it covers a broad spectrum of subjects (this is one of

the main points of difference between UCL and Imperial),

and has a high percentage of postgraduate students (around

52%). Its faculties and teaching hospitals are all located in

the heart of central London, close to the British Library and a

cluster of other leading London universities – SOAS and

Birkbeck (see below) are both close neighbours. The main

Gower Street campus is also just a short walk from the party

atmosphere of Soho, London’s entertainment centre, and

famous shopping district, Oxford Street.

 

2. Imperial College London

 

Imperial College London is 8th in the world this year, having

fallen from its position in joint 2nd place last year. This

science and technology-focused institution is well known for

its leadership in engineering and natural sciences, as well as

having a prestigious business school and one of the UK’s

largest medical faculties. As is the case with UCL, Imperial

College London has a strong global appeal which is reflected

in high international student numbers (just under a third of

the student body). Its main campus is in South Kensington,

not far from the city centre. Students will find themselves

close to the huge green space of Hyde Park, the

monumental Royal Albert Hall, luxury superstore Harrods,

and several of the city’s biggest museums.

 

3. King's College London King’s College London is one of the largest and oldest

colleges of the University of London collegiate. It maintains

its place in the global top 20 this year, ranking joint 19th in the

world alongside Australian National University (ANU). Again,

this comprehensive research-led university is a popular

choice for international students, who comprise around one

in five of the student body, while postgraduates make up

around 40% of its 26,000 enrolments. It has a particularly

good reputation for courses in the humanities, law and the

sciences, including health sciences. Claiming to be “the most

central university in London”, King’s College London has five

London campuses, four of which are situated fairly close

together by the River Thames, close to iconic landmarks

such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Big Ben.

 

4.   London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)  The UK’s only university specializing in the social

sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has climbed an impressive 36 places in the

rankings this year, to place 35th in the world. It gets an even

higher position in many of the individual subject rankings,

reflecting its role as a world-leading pioneer in subjects such

as international relations, politics, sociology, law and

accounting. Another highly international institution, LSE

boasts more than 100 languages spoken on campus. Again,

it occupies a location close to the heart of the city – in the

Chancery Lane area, historically associated with the legal

professions. Just to the north of the river, it’s within walking

distance of the British Library, and close to the cultural

institutions of Trafalgar Square and the nightlife of the West

End (also known as “theatre land”).

 

5.   Queen Mary, University of London  Ranking 109th in the world this year, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) offers teaching and research

across a wide range of subjects, including medicine and

dentistry at Barts and The London School of Medicine and

Dentistry. Of QMUL’s 20,260 students, around 10% are from

EU countries other than the UK, and 30% from beyond the

EU, with 151 nationalities in total. The university’s main

campus is in Mile End, set along the Regent’s Canal and

close to many of the recently regenerated and increasingly

trendy parts of the “East End” – including the curry houses of

Brick Lane, art galleries of Whitechapel and Hoxton, and

gritty-but-trendy bars and music venues of Shoreditch. In

August 2015, QMUL announced plans to launch a free

business advice scheme for UK start-ups in the financial and

technology industries.

 

6.   Royal Holloway, University of London  While many of the top universities in London are centrally

located, some are a little further out. Though still within the

London area, Royal Holloway, University of London is

actually located in the nearby town of Egham – less than an

hour’s train journey from central London. It has climbed 44

places this year, to rank 231st in the world. Another global

university, it has students from over 100 countries, and offers

courses in a broad range of subjects, being particularly

strong in arts and humanities. Perfect for students looking to

combine a more suburban experience with the choice of

popping into the city for nights out or day trips, Royal

Holloway offers one of the most beautiful and historic

campuses in the UK.

7.   School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)  Currently ranked joint 275th in the world (having climbed 56

spaces since last year), the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) focuses on the languages, cultures and

societies of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East – the

only institution in Europe specialized in this field. Just over

half of its students come from outside the UK, representing

133 countries. Like UCL and Birkbeck, SOAS is in the

Bloomsbury area of London, known for its attractive garden

squares, history of artistic and intellectual inhabitants (look

up “the Bloomsbury Group”), and high concentration of

academic resources – including the extensive Senate House

Library and the British Library (the UK’s national library).

Founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies, SOAS

will celebrate its centenary next June with a year of events to

mark its achievements over the last 100 years.

 

8.   Birkbeck College, University of London   Birkbeck College, University of London has made an

impressive leap in the rankings this year, climbing more than

100 places to rank 290th in the world. It is the only university

in London that allows students to complete full-length

degrees during evening courses, with all the visa and loan

privileges of daytime study. Birkbeck is again located in the

Bloomsbury area, close to UCL and SOAS and within

walking distance of many central London attractions, and it

schedules its programs with the aim of allowing students to

complete a day’s work before attending class. The majority of

students study part-time, taking advantage of the university’s

flexible ethos, and are enrolled on a wide range of programs

at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

 

9.   City University London  City University London has also improved in the rankings

this year, climbing 40 places to rank 301st in the world. It is

named to reflect its close relationship with ‘The City’ –

London’s historic financial district, also known as ‘the square

mile’. It prides itself on having strong links with leading

companies in this competitive district, ranging from giants of

the financial services sector to media companies and

medical research centres. It also marks its special links to the

city by having the Lord Major of London as its Chancellor.

City University London offers a broad spectrum of courses,

but is perhaps best known for its Cass Business School, City

Law School and the School of Health Sciences. Of its 17,000

students, 16% are from EU countries other than the UK, and

28% are from countries outside of the EU. Looking to the

future, in July 2015 it was announced that City University

would join the University of London, becoming a constituent

college from August 2016.

 

10. Brunel University Named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom

Brunel, Brunel University (ranked joint 331st in the world) is

aptly known for its engineering and design courses, but also

offers a range of courses in arts, business, law, health and

social sciences, information systems and sport. Again, it

boasts an internationally diverse student community, with

more than 15,000 students from over 100 countries. All

courses are based at Brunel’s campus in Uxbridge, West

London, which is just under an hour from the city centre on

the London Underground. As a campus-based university, it

provides a complete student community all within walking

distance, including accommodation, libraries and study

facilities, a selection of bars and restaurants, sports centre

and plenty of green spaces.

A-Z UK Universities ListAston,

Bath*,Bedfordshire, Birmingham*, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol*, Buckingham,

Cambridge*, Cardiff, Central Lancashire, Coventry, Cranfield, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh*,Essex, Exeter*, Glasgow*, Greenwich, Heriot-Watt- Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, Hull,Imperial College, 

Keele, Kent, Kent Institute, King´s College London*, Kingston,

Lancaster*, Leeds Metropolitan, Leicester,Liverpool, Liverpool John Moors, London (City), London Metropolitan, London School of Economics*, Loughborough*, Luton, Manchester*,

Manchester Metropolitan, Middlesex,

Napier, Newcastle*, North London, Northumbria, Nottingham*, Nottingham Trent,

Oxford Brookes, Plymouth, Portsmouth,

Queen Margaret (Edinburgh), Queen Mary (London), Reading, Royal Holloway,

Salford, Sheffield*, Sheffield Hallam, South Bank, Southampton*, Southampton Solent, Stirling, Stratford, Strathclyde, Sunderland, Surrey, Sussex, Swansea,

Teesside, Thames Valley University College London,

Wales (Bangor), Wales (Swansea), Cardiff Metropolitan University, Warwick*, West of England (Bristol), Westminster, Winchester,

York

Travel your royal education dream with Johnny English Discovery!