Top 10 Hardest Universities to get into UK
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Top 10 Hardest Universities to get into UK

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Jan 16, 2025 18:44 IST

When you start searching for the best universities to study in the UK, you may often come across some universities that are harder to get into. These universities often have high prestige and standards and thus are very particular about the students who get into their esteemed courses. Read this article to get a complete list of the hardest universities to get into UK to plan your application. 

Top 10 Hardest Universities to get into UK in 2025

The hardest universities to get into UK have exceptionally low acceptance rates. These universities are known for their higher global rankings, high quality of education, high standards and highly selective nature of shortlisting student applications. 

While choosing the right universities to study abroad, the right blend of shortlisting universities is to:

  • Select the easiest universities to get into (the ones about which you can be sure of receiving an acceptance letter if you don’t receive one from any of your other choices), 
  • Select the universities that have both - a high global ranking and the exact course of your choice. 
  • Select one of the top universities that ranks high globally. 

However, when it comes to selecting a mix of all these universities in the UK, it can be an arduous task as you cannot determine the acceptance rates of the UK universities on your own. For that reason, we have come up with this article that covers the list of the top 10 hardest universities to get into UK in 2025. 

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Related Read: Easiest Universities to Get into UK with High Acceptance Rates

Top 10 Most Difficult Universities to get into UK

There are three key factors that the hardest universities to get into the UK consider in shortlisting students’ profiles received internationally. These factors make these universities specifically selective and hence result in their exceptionally low acceptance rates. These key factors are academic excellence, standard admission tests and extracurricular achievements








Let us now check the list of the top 10 hardest universities to get into the UK, shortlisted on the basis of their approximate acceptance rates. :

Top 10 Hardest Universities to Get Admission in UK

Universities

Approximate Acceptance Rates

University of St. Andrews

8.4% 

London School of Economics (LSE)

8.9%

The University of Edinburgh

11%

Imperial College London

14.2%

University of Oxford

17%

University of Cambridge

21%

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

26.1%

University College London (UCL)

29.5%

University of Strathclyde

42%

King's College London

39.3%

University of Leeds

47.3%

Notes:- 

  • Candidates must note that the acceptance rates given in the above table are only for rough estimation. Universities can sometimes be a little more flexible in choosing students on a case-by-case basis.  
  • Acceptance rates for the popular courses of a particular university may be even lower than the ones mentioned in the above table. 
  • Acceptance rates may also vary across subjects as per the number of available seats in that course. 

Details on the Top Hardest Universities to get into UK 2025

Generally the lowest acceptance rates exhibiting universities are the top universities in the UK. Check out the details on the toughest universities to get into UK, what makes these universities unique, what are their key profile evaluation factors and what makes the acceptance rates of these universities so low. 







The University of St. Andrews

The international student applications are carefully reviewed by a dedicated international admissions team. This team review student applications based on a holistic view that considers students’ academic records including the context in which the grades were achieved, alongside their personal statements, references, and English language proficiency tests, while taking into account the specific qualifications from their country of origin and ensuring they meet the required entry standards for their chosen program.

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Known for its world-class education and research, the University of St. Andrews has an exceptionally low acceptance rate. The University of St. Andrews is considered to be highly selective due to its rigorous admission tests, strong international applications received in large numbers, and focus on not just grades but also personal qualities like intellectual curiosity, character, and potential, meaning a strong academic record alone isn't enough to secure admission in the university; applicants need to present a well-rounded application to stand out.

London School of Economics (LSE)

LSE is famous for its programs in social sciences, a diverse student body from all around the world, location in central London provides easy access to the city’s major political and economic hubs. LSE’s stimulating curriculum that focuses on real-life problems with lectures from top leaders makes learning more results-driven and prepares students for the current world problems and not just teaches them conventional ideologies and theories. 

The London School of Economics assesses student applications on a case-by-case basis. Each and every application is reviewed based on the complete information given in the UCAS form. The admissions committee look closely into each SOP, references, academic achievements and the subject combinations chosen by the student in their previous qualifications and how much are these relevant to the course they chose at LSE. 

The low acceptance rate of the London School of Economics stems from the fierce competition for fewer places meaning that students from across the world will essentially have to meet or exceed the admission requirements. However, in many cases, even meeting or exceeding the requirements does not guarantee admission as the admission committee closely monitors each application and compares them based on various parameters. 

Imperial College London

The Imperial College London is renowned among students for its STEM courses, particularly in the fields of research. The university has a strong focus on the employability of its diverse student body and hence becomes much cherished among its students. Along with these above factors, the consistently high rankings of the Imperial College London in various global university ranking lists make its selection process a bit too tough which then makes its acceptance rate low in spite of the fact that the university receives some of the best student applications. 

University of Oxford

Applications at the University of Oxford are assessed based on the current application requirements of the course applied for plus the quality of the candidate’s previous qualifications and their potential for future qualifications. Oxford University holds immense importance among the universities present today due to its long-driven historical importance of being one of the oldest English-taught universities in the world. The notable alumni of the University of Oxford hold a key role in impacting global politics and society. 

The university has been a popular choice among international students since time unknown and receives a large pool of applications every year. This, along with its quality of research, global recognition, a limited number of seats and consistently higher rankings in the global university rankings make the selection process of the University of Oxford gruesome and the admission committee has to drop applications even from some of the best talents of the world and hence a low acceptance rate. 

University of Cambridge

As many as 41% of the students at the University of Cambridge come from outside of the UK. the university has been the alma mater of some of the greatest minds such as Sir Isaac Newton, Alan Turing, and Francis Bacon. The university has a long list of autonomous colleges spread across the city of Cambridge, which in turn makes the entire city a student-friendly location with the inclusion of diversity at its peak. 

The University of Cambridge too receives a very large number of applications from around the world and hence reviews applications based on some stringent admission requirements which often include receiving all A’s in the candidate’s previous qualifications. 

Eligibility Requirements of the Hardest Universities to Get into UK

Check out the common admission requirements of the top and most highly selective universities in the UK below.

  • Very high scores in the high school or college examinations (typically A’s), subject examinations (SAT, GMAT, GRE, ACT) and language examinations (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE). 
  • A very well-written strong personal statement that describes your goal, enthusiasm and sustainability for the program. 
  • Letters of Recommendation from your faculty or industrial supervisor demonstrating clearly how you may be a good fit for this course by using some relevant suitable examples from your course or job journey that can help the admission committee understand your commitment and passion towards the course/task you undertake. 
  • Proof of financial adequacy
  • Participation in extracurricular activities
  • Personal interviews

This was all about the hardest universities to get into in the UK. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below. 

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?

A:

International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:

English language test

Minimum Score required UG

Minimum Score required PG

IELTS

6 or above

6 or above

PTE

59 or above

58 or above

Duolingo

105 or above

120 or above

Q:   Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?

A:

With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

A:

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

  • Know the exam pattern
  • Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
  • Solve previous year question papers
  • Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
  • Revise regularly
  • Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.

  • Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
  • Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
  • Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD    is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
  • High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.

Q:   Is it difficult to get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The University of Manchester acceptance rate is 27% for international students, which means admissions are highly competitive. Out of 100 applicants, only 27 are admitted to the university. This also shows that the university has particular standards for admission, and potential students should be prepared for admission. Early applicants can primarily benefit as it gives students a better chance of acceptance. Therefore, international applicants who wish to study at the University of Manchester must have a good acdemic profile.

About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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