12. Royal Agricultural University
11. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Located in Glasgow, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a school specialising in music, drama, dance, production and film. You can do undergraduate or postgraduate degrees here, and the conservatoire is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools. Although it’s a pretty good place to study in the creative arts, it’s one of the least diverse universities in the UK. There are only 47 nationalities, and 306 international students. However, compared with some other unis in this list, that’s actually not too bad.10. Leeds Trinity University
9. Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London
With 216 international students from 39 nationalities, the Courtauld Institute of Art is one of two members of the University of London on our list of the least diverse universities in the UK. It’s one of the world’s most prestigious programmes, in subjects relating to art history, curating, and conservation. It’s definitely a great place to go if you’re interested in art, however there’s not going to be a huge international crowd around.8. SRUC – Scotland’s Rural College
This university is one of the least diverse in the UK, but it might be due to the fact it’s such a niche area. SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, specialises in agriculture and life sciences, with a strong focus on sustainability. Currently, there are only 37 nationalities and 119 international students. This is less surprising given it’s not situated in one of the leading cities like some of the others on this list.7. Plymouth Marijon University
6. Leeds Art University
This another of the least diverse universities in the UK hat has a specialist area, which may explain why it’s less diverse than others with a broader array of courses. At Leeds Art University, you can study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There are lots of courses within the arts, such as creative writing, comic and concept art, fashion branding, animation and much more. Despite offering students the chance to study abroad, it seems not many come from abroad. There’s currently only 87 international students from 37 nationalities.5. National Film and Television School
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is one of the best schools in the UK to study film. There’s no doubt about its reputation. However, it still doesn’t have a strong international student population which makes it one of the least diverse universities in the UK. There are only 98 international students of 36 nationalities, which means that the majority come from the UK. Nevertheless, this isn’t likely to put students dedicated to a career in film and TV off.4. Writtle University College
3. Arts University Plymouth
Considered as the UK’s best small or specialist university, Arts University Plymouth is also one of the least diverse. However, it’s most likely the fact that it is a small uni that makes it lack a large international student population. It currently has 34 nationalities – just one nationality more than the second least diverse university, and only 76 international students.2. Institute of Cancer Research, University of London
Specialising in oncology, the Institute of Cancer Research is a member institution of the broader Uni of London. It’s technically more of a college than a university, but it’s still considered one of the least diverse higher education institutions. With only 33 nationalities, it’s arguably important that as one of the leaders in such important scientific research, they draw in more minds from around the world.1.Bisshop Grosseteste University
Topic expertise: University & Degree choice, Applications, Travel and Student life
FAQs on the Least Diverse Universities in the UK
Bishop Grosseteste University is currently considered the least diverse university in the UK, with just 33 international students and only 20 nationalities represented on campus. Most of these students come from Portugal, Ireland, or the US.
Low diversity is often due to rural locations, small campus sizes, narrow course specialisms, and limited international recruitment. Some universities also lack global partnerships that typically help attract more diverse students.
Yes. Institutions like the Royal Agricultural University, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Arts University Plymouth are smaller or specialist schools that attract fewer international applicants, resulting in lower diversity levels overall.
Some of the least diverse universities represent only 20 to 40 nationalities, while the most diverse universities — like UCL or Imperial — may host students from over 150 or even 170 different countries.
Low diversity can limit cultural exchange and global perspectives, which are key parts of student life. However, some students may appreciate the familiarity and close-knit feel that smaller, less diverse campuses can offer.
Authors
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Aminah is a dedicated content expert and writer at Unifresher, bringing a unique blend of creativity and precision to her work. Her passion for crafting engaging content is complemented by a love for travelling, cooking, and exploring languages. With years spent living in cultural hubs like Barcelona, Sicily, and Rome, Aminah has gained a wealth of experiences that enrich her perspective. Now based back in her hometown of Manchester, she continues to immerse herself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. An enthusiastic Manchester United supporter, Aminah also enjoys delving into psychology and true crime in her spare time.
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