Discover the best UK universities for Finance in 2026. These top schools combine strong academic programs with excellent career prospects and vibrant student communities.
Best Universities for Finance: Unifresher Student Rankings 2026
The top universities earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze badges based on student satisfaction, graduate employability, teaching quality, and value for money. For full details, see our Ranking Methodology below.
| Rank | University | Academic | Social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gold | University of Oxford | 95 | 82 |
| 2 Silver | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 94 | 80 |
| 3 Bronze | University of Cambridge | 93 | 79 |
| 4 | Imperial College London | 92 | 77 |
| 5 | University of Warwick | 89 | 74 |
| 6 | University of Manchester | 88 | 75 |
| 7 | University of Bristol | 86 | 78 |
| 8 | University of Leeds | 85 | 80 |
| 9 | University of Edinburgh | 84 | 79 |
| 10 | King’s College London | 83 | 77 |
1. University of Oxford Gold
2. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Silver
3. University of Cambridge Bronze
4. Imperial College London
5. University of Warwick
6. University of Manchester
7. University of Bristol
8. University of Leeds
9. University of Edinburgh
10. King’s College London
How We Ranked These Universities
Our Finance rankings blend trusted academic data with student lifestyle factors to highlight the best universities for career and campus life.
- Academic (40%): Graduate employability, teaching quality, research output, entry standards
- Social & Lifestyle (60%): Cost of living, nightlife, cost of a pint and Uber, crime rate, student satisfaction
- Data Sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS, WhatUni, and Unifresher’s student surveys
- Weighting: Scores out of 100; ties broken by academic score.
Top-Ranked Finance Universities Explained
University of Oxford
World-renowned for academic excellence, rigorous finance courses, and unmatched graduate employability.
London School of Economics (LSE)
Specialist in finance and economics with strong industry connections and a central London location.
University of Warwick
Known for top-tier teaching quality, strong research, and excellent career support.
University of Manchester
Great balance of academic strength, student satisfaction, and vibrant social life.
University of Bristol
Offers strong finance modules with good employer reputation and graduate outcomes.
University of Edinburgh
High student satisfaction, excellent teaching, and good cost-to-value ratio.
University of Leeds
Strong finance courses paired with a lively student community and nightlife.
University of Nottingham
Reputed for solid finance education and supportive student environment.
Imperial College London
Prestigious science and business courses with strong links to finance industries.
King’s College London
Combines academic rigor with diverse student life and London’s financial hub advantages.
Career Prospects After a Finance Degree
Graduates can enter banking, investment, financial planning, and consultancy. Related courses include Accounting and Finance and Management.
Finance Course Requirements & Entry Standards
Typically requires strong A-levels in maths and economics or business-related subjects, with UCAS points generally between 120 and 160 depending on the university.
Cheapest Cities to Study Finance in the UK
Leeds, Manchester, and Glasgow offer affordable living costs combined with good career opportunities.
Best Unis for Nightlife & Social Life
Manchester, London, and Leeds lead with bustling nightlife scenes ideal for socialising outside of study.
Student Wellbeing, Mental Health & Study Support
Top support services can be found at Edinburgh, Warwick, and Nottingham, with a focus on academic and personal wellbeing.
Not Sure About Finance? Consider These Alternatives
Explore Economics, Management, or Accounting and Finance.
Summary: Which Finance Uni is Right for You?
Consider course content, career services, campus culture, and cost when making your choice. Bookmark this guide to help compare your options.
FAQs on the Best UK Universities for Finance
Top universities for Finance include London School of Economics, University of Warwick, and University of Bath, known for strong teaching and graduate outcomes.
London School of Economics often leads Finance rankings, praised for research quality, student satisfaction, and employability.
Yes, Finance degrees open doors to careers in banking, investment, and corporate finance, with strong earning potential and demand.
Mathematics is often required or highly recommended, along with Economics and Business Studies; check each university’s entry criteria.
Graduates work in banking, financial analysis, accounting, consulting, and risk management, among other sectors.
Finance graduates are highly sought after, especially in London and financial hubs, due to the fast-growing financial sector.
Starting salaries typically range from £25,000 to £35,000, with experienced professionals earning significantly more.
Courses with a heavy focus on quantitative finance, financial mathematics or risk management can be challenging.
Many work in investment banks, accountancy firms, consultancy agencies, and corporate finance departments.
Yes, Finance is well respected by employers worldwide, especially from top UK universities.
Unifresher Team
Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.
Student Writers
Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.
Expert Panel
We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.
Our judging combines real student input with expert guidance. Here’s how:
- Public nominations: Through our homepage form, with responses from our student users.
- Social polls: Shared on our Instagram and TikTok channels (20,000+ followers).
- Student panel: 20+ student contributors guide how each category reflects real priorities.
- Editorial team: Our founder and senior editors bring experience in youth-focused media and ranking design.
- Expert advisors: Each award features insight from a relevant industry or academic figure.
This ensures each ranking is transparent, meaningful, and powered by those it’s meant to serve: students.
✅ Why You Can Trust This Ranking
- Data-backed: Official sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS
- Student-led: Over 1,000 UK students surveyed
- Balanced scoring: 40% academic + 60% student life
- Independently verified: No sponsored placements, ever
- Reviewed by editors: All results checked for fairness & accuracy
- Updated for 2025: Last checked
