5 Types of UK universities
Did you know the UK has universities dating back to the year 1096?
The UK’s educational system has long been renowned around the world. Considering the quantity of top universities. They provide a higher standard of living and exposure, which draws many international students to the UK each year. We may say that there is a university in the UK for everyone because there are 130 universities in the country, ranging in age from centuries old to modern universities that provide a wide range of programmes.
Here is a brief description of each of the five types of UK universities:
Ancient universities: These institutions, whose founding dates vary from roughly 1096 to 1582, were established in the medieval and renaissance periods and are still operational. These colleges frequently contain lecture halls and hallways housed in structures that date back hundreds of years. They still provide tutorials in addition to the lectures because of its historical significance, which enables students to interact with faculty members in more intimate settings.
| University name | Founded in Year |
| University of Dublin | 1592 |
| University of Edinburgh | 1582 |
| University of Glasgow | 1451 |
| University of St Andrews | 1413 |
| University of Aberdeen | 1495 |
| University of Cambridge | 1209 |
| University of Oxford | 1096 |
2. Red brick or civic universities
In order to meet the increased demand for university-level study in subjects like design, science, engineering, and technology, red brick universities were established in the nineteenth century during World War I in industrial centers. These non-collegiate educational institutions accepted students from all backgrounds and religions and placed a strong emphasis on teaching “real-world” skills to them.
The location of these universities, which are often situated on ambiguous campuses with public roadways, remains to this day their most alluring feature
| Member universities | University status granted on |
| University of Birmingham | 1900 |
| University of Bristol | 1909 |
| University of Leeds | 1904 |
| University of Sheffield | 1905 |
| University of Manchester | 2004 |
| University of Liverpool | 1903 |
3. Plate glass universities or 1960s universities
Based on the Robbins Report on Higher Education’s (1963) recommendations and as part of educational reforms aimed at increasing the number of universities in the UK, these institutions were established between 1963 and 1992. These institutions were forward-thinking and introduced novel efforts in the fields of curricula, exams, administration, instructional strategies, and discipline. Due to their distinctive architectural design and the fact that the majority of them were constructed on designated greenfield areas akin to the self-contained US-style campuses, these are collectively known as the “Plate Glass Group.”
| Member universities | University status granted on/formed on |
| Aston University | 1966 |
| University of East Anglia | 1963 |
| University of Essex | 1964-65 |
| University of Kent | 1965 |
| Lancaster University | 1964 |
| University of Sussex | 1961 |
| University of Warwick | 1965 |
| University of York | 1963 |
4. New universities or Polytechnic and metropolitan universities
As a result of the educational changes that took place between the 1980s and 1990s, these universities evolved from polytechnics, further education colleges, teacher training colleges, university colleges, and other higher education institutions. Despite only recently receiving university status, they have a long history in education. These universities are expanding quickly and vying with other, more established colleges for students who want modern amenities.
| Member universities | Facilities and specialty |
| Arden universities | Specialize in distance and online learning. Primarily concentrate on Business Studies and related fields |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Most popular courses include Tourism Management and Food Technology |
| University of Chichester | Most known for the Media Studies, Production courses and Music Composition courses |
| Plymouth Marjon University | The university departments of Education, Creative Arts, Health Sciences and Sport are well-reputed |
| University College Birmingham | At an undergraduate level, Tourism, Events and Hospitality Management courses are popular |
5. Russell Group universities
The best 24 British research universities make up the Russell Group, which is frequently compared to the Ivy league in the United States. The organization has the distinction of obtaining two-thirds of all government money for research grants, and the institutions that make up its membership are frequently regarded as the “best” in the UK. Additionally, the portfolio contains a few prominent civic universities as well as several ancient universities, universities from the 19th century, and others.
| Member universities | Location |
| Durham University | Durham |
| Cardiff University | Cardiff |
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge |
| University of Bristol | Bristol |
| University of Birmingham | Birmingham |
Which type of university should you choose?
While deciding on the right university, match the university offerings with your needs and wants. Each type of these UK universities will have a unique characteristic. For instance, ancient universities require above average grades which might be overwhelming for students who aren’t prepared for an intense workload. Similarly, Russell Group universities focus on social wellbeing, research and offering outstanding courses, whereas new universities are the perfect hotspot for establishing a professional and personal network whilst exploring your interests.
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Make sure the university’s offerings match your needs and preferences before choosing the proper one. Each of these varieties of UK institutions will have a distinctive quality. For instance, if a student is unprepared for a demanding curriculum, historical universities may need above average marks, which may be daunting. Similar to Russell Group universities, new universities are the ideal hub for building a personal and professional network while pursuing your interests. Russell Group universities focus on social wellness, research, and providing great courses.
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