If you want to specialise, improve your qualification and boost your work opportunities, but you cannot afford to put your life on hold, interrupt your job or be away from your family, then distance learning is the solution for you. Universities in the United Kingdom offer some of the best distance learning programmes in Europe and the world.
British education is known around the world for its high quality and many people dream about graduating from a UK university. Nowadays, this dream is much easier to fulfil. Distance education is the solution to the stringent need for education of students who cannot commit to moving and studying in a foreign country.
Find distance learning degrees in the UK
How we've created the top 10 UK online university list
The most famous international university rankings do not publish rankings for best online studies.
But, because we understand that it’s important to find the best online degrees in order to decide where would be best to study, we used data from 2 prestigious international rankings: QS Rankings and Times Higher Education Global Rankings and checked which UK universities from these lists also offer online studies.
The listed universities may provide all types of degrees such as distance learning Bachelors, Masters and PhDs, or just some degree levels. Now let's take a closer look at the best UK universities offering online courses:
1. University College London
University College London offers a wide range of online Master’s degrees and graduate diplomas. Students can pick from M.Sc., M.A. and MBA degrees in subjects such as Neurology, Education, Security, Sports and much more.
UCL stands out through its progressive teaching and research, dedicated to pursue excellence and have a real impact in the world.
2. The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh offers online programmes that are academically equivalent to on-campus degrees, which means your degree will not mention that you completed the programme online.
This also means that it will involve the same amount of work as a normal degree. The programmes usually take three years, but the University is flexible about this. As a bonus, you will have access to career consultants and IT support.
3. The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is one of Britain's most famous and forward-thinking universities, with a rich heritage stretching 180 years and an exciting agenda for the future.
Today, research remains at the heart of the University and the quality, breadth and volume of research activity are unparalleled in the UK, with strong collaborative links with industry and public services.
4. King’s College London
King’s College London is famous for world-leading research leading to modern groundbreaking discoveries. Get top online education from a university that provided 12 Nobel Prize winner alumni and former staff.
King’s College offers world-class teaching across a variety of subjects such as Business Management, Food Science, History, Law, Philosophy, and more.
King’s is also distinguished in a wide range of health areas. You have six opportunities to apply to an online degree every year, giving you the flexibility to start whenever this suits your plans.
5. University of Warwick
University of Warwick offers attractive options for online Business studies. The success of online MBAs at Warwick is guaranteed by the fact that graduates of the university ranked within the UK top 10 for highest earnings. Warwick is committed to expanding access to higher education globally.
6. University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow has played an important role in shaping the futures of international students and other universities, through collaborations.
The university offers a range of online postgraduate programmes and short courses and a wide range of free MOOCs (massive online open courses). You can find most online study options in subjects related to Medicine, Education and Business.
7. University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield offers students a chance to make good use of their talents and advance the global careers market.
International students can gain free, personalised skills training as well as expert careers advice. You can find online degrees in disciplines like Humanities, Medicine, Information Technology, and more.
8. University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham grants access to a welcoming university community, working alongside academics who are global experts. The university was awarded the ‘Gold’ rating in the 2016/17 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), reflecting outstanding teaching and learning experience.
Choose from a great variety of online Masters and PhDs in areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, Arts, Business, Medicine and more.
9. University of Leeds
University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and renowned globally for their quality teaching. U. Leeds leads you to a wealth of career opportunities and prepares you for making an impact on the world.
Pick from a good selection of online degrees in Engineering, Humanities, Business, Education, and more.
10. University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham is another great UK university that’s dedicated to creating cooperation and partnerships with international universities around the globe.
Learn from by some of the brightest minds in their fields, supported by ambitious research. University of Nottingham holds its very own “teacher Oscars” awarded to the best educators achieving great student satisfaction.
Check out our partners in the UK
We recommend you also explore degrees offered by some of our partners in the United Kingdom:
- Arden University Online specialises in a wide range of distance learning courses, making it possible for you to enhance your career and study at your own pace.
- Brunel University London – Online provides innovative online degree programmes in public health and environmental sciences, equipping you with the skills needed to thrive in these critical sectors.
- London School of Business & Finance Online offers industry-focused programmes that reflect global market trends.
These institutions offer excellent programmes and are known for their international student support and vibrant academic environments.