There’s always loads of chat about which universities look best on your CV once you graduate. But something people don’t talk about nearly as much? Which universities are actually the hardest to get into in the first place.
Using acceptance rate data (the percentage of applicants who receive an offer), we can get a pretty clear picture of which UK universities are the most competitive. In short, the lower the acceptance rate, the tougher it is to get in.
Below, we’ve rounded up the hardest universities to get into in the UK, based on the most recent acceptance-rate figures available. If you’re applying to any of these, expect serious competition.
The hardest unis to get into 2026
| University | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 7.6% |
| University of Edinburgh | 11.7% |
| King’s College London | 13% |
| University of Cambridge | 19% |
| University of Oxford | 19.37% |
| Imperial College London | 36% |
| University of Manchester | 56% |
| University College London | 63% |
1. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Acceptance rate: 7.6%
Officially one of the hardest universities to get into in the UK, LSE is extremely competitive. It specialises almost entirely in social sciences, meaning applicants are often highly focused, high-achieving, and competing for limited places.
Best for:
- Economics
- Econometrics
- Politics & Social Policy
2. University of Edinburgh
Acceptance rate: 11.7%
Edinburgh is Scotland’s most competitive university and one of the most selective in the UK overall. It attracts huge numbers of UK and international applicants every year, especially for medicine and science-based degrees.
Best for:
- Medicine
- Veterinary Science
- Engineering
3. King’s College London
Acceptance rate: 13%
Based in the heart of London, King’s is known for its strong global reputation and high academic standards. Courses linked to healthcare, law, and social sciences are particularly competitive.
Best for:
- Health Studies
- Business & Management
- Social Policy
4. University of Cambridge
Acceptance rate: 19%
Cambridge’s admissions process is famously intense, with interviews, subject tests, and extremely high grade expectations. It attracts some of the strongest applicants in the world.
Best for:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Social Sciences & Humanities
5. University of Oxford
Acceptance rate: 19.37%
Oxford is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities — and getting in is no easy feat. Its tutorial system and interview-heavy admissions process make it one of the toughest universities to secure a place at.
Best for:
- Medicine
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
6. Imperial College London
Acceptance rate: 36%
Imperial is laser-focused on STEM subjects, which makes its admissions especially competitive for science and engineering courses. Strong grades in maths and sciences are usually non-negotiable.
Best for:
- Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Bioengineering
7. University of Manchester
Acceptance rate: 56%
While not as selective as Oxbridge or LSE, Manchester still receives a huge number of applications every year, making popular courses highly competitive.
Best for:
- Business
- Marketing
- MBA programmes
8. University College London (UCL)
Acceptance rate: 63%
UCL’s broad course offering and central London location make it one of the most applied-to universities in the UK. Competition is particularly strong for architecture, education, and social science degrees.
Best for:
- Education
- Architecture & Built Environment
- Anthropology
These are the hardest and easiest unis to go to, but what about the course you choose? Find out which is the easiest degree to do in 2026.
FAQs on the Hardest UK Universities to Get Into
The London School of Economics (LSE) is currently the hardest UK university to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 7.6%.
For top universities and courses like Medicine or Economics, expect to need at least A*A*A–A*AA at A-level (or equivalent), in addition to strong applications and personal statements.
Low acceptance rates, high academic standards, challenging entry tests, interviews, and a large ratio of applicants to places all contribute to difficulty.
Yes—acceptance rates for international students can be even lower at some universities due to high global demand, especially at Russell Group and London institutions.
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