Top 10 small universities in the UK

When it comes to choosing the right university, size can be an important factor for many students. Smaller universities have many benefits for students. It can offer a more intimate learning environment, closer student communities, and better support that can be harder to find at larger institutions. The UK offers a variety of small universities that provide excellent education and unique student experiences. In this article, I’ve curated a list of my top 10 smallest universities in the UK highlighting the benefits of these institutions.

1. Ravensbourne University London

Ravensbourne University London is a small arts university located in Greenwich, London nestled next to the O2 arena. They specialise in digital media and design degrees with strong industry links, helping students get immersed in the creative industry. It ranks 131^st in the “Complete University Guide 2025”. Some notable alumni who have made it in the arts and media industry are THE David Bowie, Stella McCartney, Zerkaa from the Sidemen and Love Island’s Millie Court.  They offer a foundation year as well as both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Approximate Number of Students: 4,000

Address: 6 Penrose Way, London SE10 0EW

2. St George’s, University of London

St George’s is a small specialist university based in Tooting, in the heart of south-west London. They offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in health, medicine and science at their campus which is shared with a teaching hospital. This allows students to be immersed in the professional environment from the get-go. Students also benefit from a range of placements in medical settings in London as well as a curriculum which is constantly evolving to keep pace with current medical practices. The university is the number one in the UK for graduate prospects and ranks 69^th in the “Complete University Guide 2025”. Moreover, St George’s has many notable alumni including a pioneer in the medical field, Edward Jenner, the creator of the smallpox vaccine.

Approximate Number of Students: 4,500

Address: Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE

3. University College Birmingham

University College Birmingham is a smaller university in central Birmingham. Despite being a small university, it offers a range of subject areas including nursing, physiotherapy and psychology, computer science and cyber security, finance and accounting, sport, education, tourism, hospitality and creative industries. One of the perks of being a student at University College Birmingham is that each course they offer includes work experience opportunities or a 48-week paid placement halfway through the course. Despite not being ranked in the “Complete University Guide 2025” it was awarded ‘University of the Year’ in the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

Approximate Number of Students: 5,000

Address: Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JB

4. St Mary’s University, Twickenham

Based in the safest London borough, Richmond, St Mary’s Twickenham specialises in a range of sports and health degrees. It ranks 72^nd in the “Complete University Guide 2025”. They also offer a highly commended teacher training programme. Among its accolades, its location provides students with easy access into the heart of London, giving you the best of both worlds: a great environment for studying and socialising as well as good quality teaching. Its alumni include the likes of radio personality and presenter Clara Amfo, athlete  Mo Farah and fitness coach Joe Wicks.

Approximate Number of Students: 5,500

Address: Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham TW1 4SX

5. University of Chichester

Ranked 79^th in the “Complete University Guide 2025”, the University of Chichester is a small university in the only city in Sussex. It offers a large variety of subject choices, be it the arts, business, creative industries, humanities or sports. Its size certainly does not match its diversity!  The campus is next to large public parks as well as the West Wittering beach so the area is rich with activities and places to enjoy yourself. The most notable subjects offered at Chichester include Education, where it ranks 16^th out of 89 in the UK, Media and Film Studies, ranking 20^th out of 82, and Psychology, ranking 21^st out of 115 universities.

Approximate Number of Students: 5,500

Address: University of Chichester, College Ln, Chichester PO19 6PE

6. SOAS, University of London

SOAS (The School of Oriental and African Studies) is a specialist university which focuses on studying the languages, cultures and societies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is tucked away in London’s centre in Russel Square, surrounded by beautiful greenery and a short walk away from the West End. The small student population creates a wonderful community feel. SOAS is one of the best universities in the UK for Anthropology, Development Studies and Politics and it ranks 71^st in the “Complete University Guide 2025”. SOAS has an impressive list of alumni including politicians and royalty from across the globe as well as key figures in the media such as Dom Joly, Jemima Khan and Zeinab Badawi who is the university’s president.

Approximate Number of Students: 6,300

Address: 10 Thornhaugh St, London WC1H 0XG

7. Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University is located on the coast of west Wales in a historic seaside market town which makes it a beautiful environment to learn in. It ranks 42^nd in the “Complete University Guide 2025” and has made a name for itself globally for its excellent teaching and research. Aberystwyth offers a wide range of undergraduate courses across disciplines with a varied range of assessment styles. Its most notable alumni is the King of England, Charles III who studied Welsh history and the Welsh language for one term.

Approximate Number of Students: 8,000

Address: Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3FL

8. Bath Spa University

Located in the student-oriented city of Bath, Bath Spa University is a fantastic smaller university in the UK. It offers students access to the wonderful city whilst providing an excellent place of study. The university offers a wide range of subjects, including STEM, humanities, and creative subjects and ranks 103rd in the “Complete University Guide 2025”. Bath Spa is also partnered with Adobe to provide students with the programmes necessary to study and express their creativity to the best of their ability. Being a student city, Bath offers students many places to explore, great festivals and a lively community. Notable alumni include baking icon Mary Berry and ITV’s Kate Garraway.

Approximate Number of Students: 8,500

Address: Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN

The University of Suffolk’s main hub is located in Ipswich on the historical Ipswich Waterfront. Its small teaching groups provide students with a more personalised learning experience.  They pride themselves on the fact that “students are known by name, not their student number”. The University of Suffolk excels in Childhood and Youth Studies and ranks 58^th in the “Complete University Guide 2025”.

Approximate Number of Students: 9,500

Address: Waterfront Building, 19 Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ

10. University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts is a specialist art and design university in the south of England. It has multiple locations including Canterbury and Epsom but its main campus is in Farnham. It is ranked 85th in the “Complete University Guide 2025” and is the third largest of creative higher education in the UK. UCA is a hub for creatives and offers a wide range of courses in architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, media and performing arts subjects. Its successful alumni, which include artist Tracy Emin and designer Zandra Rhodes, prove it is one of the top small universities in the UK.

Approximate Number of Students: 9,500

Address: Falkner Rd, Farnham GU9 7DS

Choosing the right university is an important decision, and smaller universities offer unique advantages that you can’t get from larger institutions. These benefits can help you grow both personally and academically. Another important factor of attending university is social life so make sure to research which universities in the UK have the best social life.

Thea Panayiotou

I’m currently a BA Anthropology student so people watching is my favourite thing! I love going to concerts, pop culture and reading. In my free time, I love trying new places to eat.