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All universities in United Kingdom Public universities193
Business & Management57 Medicine & Health Sciences54 Professional Accounting & Finance51 Computer Science & IT49 Social Sciences & Psychology48 Arts, Design & Architecture45 Engineering41 Education39 Law37 Science36 Media & Communication33 Life Sciences29 Languages & Linguistics26 Music & Performing Arts25 Economics & Public Policy19 Agriculture & Environment19 Sports & Recreation12 Veterinary & Animal Sciences9
Bachelor's universities72 Master's universities42 PhD universities17 Professional universities17 Foundation universities14 Diploma universities8 Bachelor's programs1,389 Master's programs505 Foundation programs42 Professional programs30 PhD programs29 Diploma programs24 Bachelor's Business & Management44 Master's Computer Science & IT19 Professional Business & Management6 Bachelor's Medicine & Health Sciences42 Master's Medicine & Health Sciences19 Professional Medicine & Health Sciences6 Bachelor's Professional Accounting & Finance41 Master's Business & Management18 Professional Education6 Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture39 Master's Engineering15
All scholarships Deadlines closing soon Medicine & Health Sciences93 Business & Management92 Computer Science & IT62 Professional Accounting & Finance60 Science55 Law51 Engineering45 Life Sciences42 Social Sciences & Psychology40 Media & Communication38
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16 Best Public Foundation Universities in the United Kingdom

University of St. Andrews leads the 16 Public Foundation universities in the United Kingdom at #113 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. University of Bath (QS World #132) and University of Sussex (QS World #278) complete the top three. The universities on this list offer 42 matching courses between them.

16 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
6Ranked
UW University of Wales, Bangor logo
QS World #474 #44 in United Kingdom United Kingdom

University of Wales, Bangor

Public University · 7 courses in Foundation

All 7 courses →
—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#474 QS World University Rankings 2025
#44 in United Kingdom
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12Ranked
UC University of Cumbria logo
#112 in United Kingdom United Kingdom

University of Cumbria

Public University · 5 courses in Foundation

All 5 courses →
—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#112 in United Kingdom · by research impact
110,805 citations · h-index 142
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15Ranked
AI American InterContinental University - London logo
United Kingdom

American InterContinental University - London

Public University · 4 courses in Foundation

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
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Universities at other levels

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Public Universities Public Bachelor's Universities Bachelor's Universities Public Business & Management Universities Business & Management Universities Public Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Public Professional Accounting & Finance Universities Professional Accounting & Finance Universities Public Computer Science & IT Universities

How these universities are ranked

7 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #113 (University of St. Andrews) to #526 (Coventry University); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: University of Leicester is cited most (8,490,065 citations). 2 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

16 are public and 0 private (100% public).

Levels, lengths and start dates

The most common subjects are Business & Management (9), Professional Accounting & Finance (7), Arts, Design & Architecture (5) and Education (3). The usual length is 1 year and 4 Years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (90% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (62% of courses with a stated intake). East Coast College offers the widest choice, with 9 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Public Foundation in the United Kingdom?

University of St. Andrews (QS World #113), University of Bath (QS World #132) and University of Sussex (QS World #278) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How many public universities offer Public Foundation in the United Kingdom?

16 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public Foundation course take in the United Kingdom?

Most listed courses run 1 year, with 4 Years the next most common.

When do Public Foundation courses start in the United Kingdom?

Fall is the main intake — 90% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Which university has the most Public Foundation courses in the United Kingdom?

East Coast College, with 9, ahead of University of Wales, Bangor (7).

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