
The Open University is the largest university in the UK in terms of student population, with 48,805 students enrolled in 2018/19. The University of Manchester is also one of the largest universities, with over 40,000 students. Overall, the UK had 2.9 million students enrolled in higher education institutions in 2023/24, with a record 23% of 18-year-olds from low-participation neighbourhoods accepted onto full-time undergraduate degrees that year. The University of Oxford is often considered the 'poshest' university in the UK, with the University of Cambridge coming in second place.
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Manchester is the largest UK university by student population
- The Open University is the largest UK university by total student enrolment
- The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest UK university
- Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest UK university
- The University of Edinburgh is the seventh-largest UK university

The University of Manchester is the largest UK university by student population
With over 40,000 students, The University of Manchester is currently the largest university in the United Kingdom by total student enrolment. This large student body is spread across a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, creating a vibrant and varied academic atmosphere.
The University of Manchester is not the only UK university with a large student population. The Open University, for instance, is known to have a high number of students, although it may not carry the same prestige as other well-known universities in the UK. The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest university in the UK, with 42,980 students, and is a member of the Russell Group, known for its academic excellence. Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest university in the UK, with 41,465 students, and is known for its lower proportion of international students, with only about 10% of its student body coming from international backgrounds. The University of Edinburgh, with 41,250 students, is another large UK university, with international students making up over 44% of its student population.
While the University of Manchester may be the largest by student population, other universities in the UK stand out for different reasons. The University of Oxford, for example, is often considered the 'poshest' university in the UK, holding the top spot in UK rankings for nine consecutive years due to its elite traditions and high academic standards. The University of Cambridge is also known for its historical prestige and notable alumni, including Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough. Bristol is recognised for its beautiful campus, and Edinburgh for its rich cultural history and exclusive events, attracting many privately educated students.
In terms of numbers, overall student enrolment in UK higher education institutions reached 2.9 million in 2023/24, with 2.94 million students enrolled in the previous year. The number of applicants has been increasing, with 752,025 people applying for undergraduate courses in 2023. The number of UK applicants increased each year from 2019 to 2022, driven by a rise in the number of 18-year-olds in the population.
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The Open University is the largest UK university by total student enrolment
The Open University is the largest university in the UK by total student enrolment. While it may not have the same prestige as some of the more well-known universities in the UK, it has established its own unique place in the world of higher education. The Open University had 48,805 students enrolled in 2018/19, with a significant number of overseas students.
In comparison, the University of Manchester, which is currently the largest university in the UK when considering only full-time student enrolment figures, has over 40,000 students. The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest university in the UK, with a total of 42,980 students. Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest, with 41,465 students, while the University of Edinburgh is seventh, with 41,250 students.
The total number of students enrolled in UK higher education institutions varies from year to year. In the 2021/22 academic year, 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education. This number increased to 2.9 million in 2022/23 and then to 2.93 million in 2023/24. The number of UK applicants to higher education institutions increased each year from 2019 to 2022, driven by an increase in the number of 18-year-olds in the population. However, there has been a recent stall in progress, with concerns about falling numbers of students from some groups.
The University of Oxford is often considered the "poshest" university in the UK due to its elite traditions and high academic standards. It has educated 28 British prime ministers and has a strong intake of students from private schools. The University of Cambridge is typically considered the second "poshest" university, known for its academic excellence, historical prestige, and notable alumni, including Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough.
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The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest UK university
The University of Manchester is the largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student enrolment. The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, is the fourth-largest university in the UK. It has a total of 42,980 students and is located in Glasgow, Scotland. Glasgow is the UK's third-largest city and one of the world's top student cities. The University of Glasgow is recognised internationally for its groundbreaking work and ranks among the top 80 global universities. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK, attracting students and staff from over 140 countries.
The University of Glasgow has a rich history and is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. It has produced numerous notable alumni, including two former Prime Ministers, a former First Minister, and several politicians and business leaders. The university has four colleges, each containing multiple schools. The Adam Smith School of Business is one of the largest and most renowned business schools in the UK.
Glasgow University has a strong academic reputation and is a member of the Russell Group, a group of leading UK research-intensive universities. It has a large endowment and substantial net assets, contributing to its impressive financial position. The university has also invested heavily in its estate, with a £1 billion development project aimed at creating world-class facilities for teaching, education, and research.
The University of Glasgow offers a wide range of courses and is known for its diverse and vibrant student community. With its combination of academic excellence, historical significance, and modern facilities, the University of Glasgow is a highly sought-after institution for students from around the world.
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Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest UK university
Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest university in the UK, with a total enrolment of 41,465 students as of 2024. The university is situated in Nottingham, England, and operates across three campuses: the City Campus, the Clifton Campus, and the Brackenhurst Campus. The City Campus is located in the heart of Nottingham's city centre, while the Clifton Campus is about 30 minutes away, and the Brackenhurst Campus is approximately 40 minutes from the city centre. The university's name is derived from the River Trent, which flows through the city.
Nottingham Trent University was established in 1843 and is recognised as one of the most popular universities in the UK. It is composed of nine academic schools, including the School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences, the School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment, and the School of Art & Design. The university has a strong track record in research, with 90% of its research considered "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" in 2014. It has received numerous awards, including the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2015 and 2021, and the Times Higher Education University of the Year award in 2017.
In terms of student population, the University of Manchester is the largest university in the UK, with over 40,000 students. The Open University, while not having the same prestige as other well-known universities, also has a high enrolment rate. The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest, with 42,980 students, and the University of Edinburgh is seventh, with 41,250 students.
Nottingham Trent University has achieved notable rankings in various subjects, including forensic science, general engineering, pharmacology and pharmacy, and childhood and youth. It has also been recognised for its commitment to environmental sustainability, receiving the title of "the most environmentally friendly university in the UK" by the People & Planet Green League in 2009. The university has a history of producing successful start-up companies, with 70% of the 250 companies it has supported since 2001 achieving success.
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The University of Edinburgh is the seventh-largest UK university
The University of Edinburgh is a prestigious institution that ranks as the seventh-largest university in the UK. With a total enrolment of 41,250 students, it is highly sought after during the application season. The university's popularity is evident through the diverse student body, with international students comprising over 44% of the population, representing an impressive 167 countries.
Edinburgh's reputation as a leading comprehensive research university with a global presence is well-established. It is a member of the Russell Group, the Sutton 13 group of top-ranked UK universities, the Coimbra Group, and the League of European Research Universities. The university also boasts the third-largest endowment of any university in the UK, with endowments of £580.4 million and total net assets of £3.003 billion.
The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of academic programmes, including almost 400 undergraduate degrees across 60 different subjects, many of which are joint honours programmes. In addition, the university provides over 300 taught programmes and more than 70 online programmes, catering to a diverse range of interests and learning preferences.
Located in the culturally rich city of Edinburgh, the university enjoys a vibrant and historic setting. The city is the second most popular tourist destination in the UK, known for its cultural events such as the Edinburgh International Arts Festival. Edinburgh's strong links to the royal family further add to its prestige, with Anne, Princess Royal, serving as the university's chancellor since 2011.
With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1583, the University of Edinburgh has produced notable alumni, including inventor Alexander Graham Bell, naturalist Charles Darwin, and writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. The university has also been associated with significant research achievements, such as the first cloning of a mammal from an adult somatic cell, resulting in the famous sheep named Dolly in 1996.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Manchester is the largest university in the UK in terms of total student enrollment, with over 40,000 students.
The Open University is the largest UK university when considering total student enrollment figures, however, it may not carry the same prestige as other well-known universities. The University of Glasgow is the fourth-largest university in the UK, with 42,980 students, and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. Nottingham Trent University is the sixth-largest university in the UK, with 41,465 students, and the University of Edinburgh is seventh, with 41,250 students.
The total number of students enrolled in UK universities reached a record high in 2022/23, with 2.86 million individuals enrolled in higher education. In 2023/24, this number increased to 2.9 million students.











































