North America
Europe
Asia
Oceania
Africa
Of the 45 Arts, Design & Architecture universities in the United Kingdom, University of Cambridge ranks highest at #6 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by University College London (QS World #9) and University of Manchester (QS World #35). Across the whole list there are 209 courses to choose from.
45 universities · ranked best first
how we rankPublic University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 11 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 3 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 7 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 7 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 4 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 2 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 13 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture
Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture
Arts, Design & Architecture at other levels
By university type
Popular collections
17 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #6 (University of Cambridge) to #662 (University of Portsmouth); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: University College London is cited most (67,811,539 citations). 3 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".
45 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, England (3) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of Cambridge, founded in 1209. University College London is the largest, with 46,000 students.
By level: 158 bachelor's, 21 master's, 5 foundation and 2 diploma. The usual length is 4 years and 3 years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (94% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (85% of courses with a stated intake). Bath Spa University offers the widest choice, with 28 of these courses.
We hold indicative fees for 3 of these universities. University of Manchester is the least expensive at USD 34,000 a year and University of Cambridge the most at USD 43,000; the middle of the range is about USD 42,000. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.
University of Cambridge (QS World #6), University College London (QS World #9) and University of Manchester (QS World #35) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.
Of those with published fees, University of Manchester is the least expensive at about USD 34,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.
45 public and 0 private universities are on this list.
Most listed courses run 4 years, with 3 years the next most common.
Fall is the main intake — 94% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.
Bath Spa University, with 28, ahead of York St. John University (15).
New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.
Stay updated
Get admission alerts, scholarship deadlines & university news — free.