100 Best universities for Microbiology in the United Kingdom

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United Kingdom ranked based on their research performance in Microbiology. A graph of 6.64M citations received by 147K academic papers made by 106 universities in the United Kingdom was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Oxford

England | Oxford

For Microbiology

#2 in Europe

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1096

2. University College London

England | London

For Microbiology

#3 in Europe

#21 in the World

Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1826

3. Imperial College London

England | London

For Microbiology

#6 in Europe

#32 in the World

Enrollment: 17,565
Founded: 1907

4. University of Cambridge

England | Cambridge

For Microbiology

#16 in Europe

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1209

5. University of Edinburgh

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Microbiology

#20 in Europe

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Founded: 1583

6. University of Liverpool

England | Liverpool

For Microbiology

#22 in Europe

#76 in the World

Enrollment: 28,693
Founded: 1881

7. University of Birmingham

England | Birmingham

For Microbiology

#26 in Europe

#93 in the World

Founded: 1900

8. University of Manchester

England | Manchester

For Microbiology

#27 in Europe

#100 in the World

Founded: 1824

9. University of Nottingham

England | Nottingham

For Microbiology

#28 in Europe

#102 in the World

Founded: 1948

10. University of Bristol

England | Bristol

For Microbiology

#32 in Europe

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 27,513
Founded: 1909

11. University of Glasgow

Scotland | Glasgow

For Microbiology

#36 in Europe

#131 in the World

Founded: 1451

12. University of Aberdeen

Scotland | Aberdeen

For Microbiology

#37 in Europe

#132 in the World

Founded: 1495

13. University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#41 in Europe

#140 in the World

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1836

14. Cardiff University

Wales | Cardiff

For Microbiology

#49 in Europe

#155 in the World

Founded: 1997

15. University of Leeds

England | Leeds

For Microbiology

#50 in Europe

#157 in the World

Founded: 1904

16. University of Sheffield

England | Sheffield

For Microbiology

#58 in Europe

#191 in the World

Founded: 1905

17. King's College London

England | London

For Microbiology

#62 in Europe

#196 in the World

Founded: 1829

18. Queen's University Belfast

Northern Ireland | Belfast

For Microbiology

#63 in Europe

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1849

19. Newcastle University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Microbiology

#65 in Europe

#199 in the World

Founded: 1963

20. University of Leicester

England | Leicester

For Microbiology

#80 in Europe

#233 in the World

Enrollment: 24,409
Male:Female: 46:54
Founded: 1957

21. Queen Mary University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#95 in Europe

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1989

22. University of Reading

England | Reading

For Microbiology

#101 in Europe

#285 in the World

Founded: 1892

23. University of Dundee

Scotland | Dundee

For Microbiology

#102 in Europe

#289 in the World

Founded: 1967

24. University of Warwick

England | Coventry

For Microbiology

#103 in Europe

#290 in the World

Enrollment: 27,278
Founded: 1965

25. St George's, University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#117 in Europe

#330 in the World

Founded: 1733

26. Ulster University

Northern Ireland | Coleraine

For Microbiology

#122 in Europe

#347 in the World

Founded: 1968

27. University of Exeter

England | Exeter

For Microbiology

#124 in Europe

#352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1955

28. University of Wales

Wales | Cardiff

For Microbiology

#125 in Europe

#353 in the World

Founded: 1893

29. University of Southampton

England | Southampton

For Microbiology

#135 in Europe

#377 in the World

Enrollment: 21,335
Founded: 1952

30. University of East Anglia

England | Norwich

For Microbiology

#145 in Europe

#408 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1963

31. University of Bath

For Microbiology

#152 in Europe

#434 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 18,857
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1966

32. University of York

For Microbiology

#154 in Europe

#441 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1963

33. University of Strathclyde

Scotland | Glasgow

For Microbiology

#160 in Europe

#455 in the World

Founded: 1964

34. University of Sussex

England | Brighton

For Microbiology

#177 in Europe

#500 in the World

Enrollment: 17,319
Male:Female: 44:56
Founded: 1961

35. Royal Veterinary College University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#179 in Europe

#503 in the World

Founded: 1791

36. University of Surrey

England | Guildford

For Microbiology

#206 in Europe

#614 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1966

37. University of St Andrews

Scotland | St Andrews

For Microbiology

#241 in Europe

#719 in the World

Enrollment: 10,425
Founded: 1413

38. Swansea University

Wales | Swansea

For Microbiology

#242 in Europe

#720 in the World

Founded: 1920

39. Aberystwyth University

Wales | Aberystwyth

For Microbiology

#246 in Europe

#731 in the World

Founded: 1872

40. Royal Agricultural University

England | Cirencester

For Microbiology

#247 in Europe

#734 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Enrollment: 1,100
Founded: 2013

41. University of Stirling

Scotland | Stirling

For Microbiology

#253 in Europe

#759 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1967

42. University of Essex

England | Colchester

For Microbiology

#268 in Europe

#808 in the World

Founded: 1964

43. Aston University

England | Birmingham

For Microbiology

#274 in Europe

#828 in the World

Founded: 1895

44. Heriot-Watt University

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Microbiology

#276 in Europe

#832 in the World

Founded: 1966

45. University of Hull

England | Kingston upon Hull

For Microbiology

#277 in Europe

#835 in the World

Founded: 1954

46. University of Kent

England | Canterbury

For Microbiology

#286 in Europe

#876 in the World

Founded: 1965

47. Bangor University

For Microbiology

#297 in Europe

#907 in the World

Enrollment: 11,270
Founded: 1884

48. Royal Holloway, University of London

England | Egham

For Microbiology

#314 in Europe

#980 in the World

Founded: 1849

49. University of Hertfordshire

England | Hatfield

For Microbiology

#317 in Europe

#993 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

50. University of Salford

England | Salford

For Microbiology

#319 in Europe

#998 in the World

Founded: 1967

51. University of the West of England

England | Bristol

For Microbiology

#324 in Europe

#1017 in the World

Enrollment: 30,732
Founded: 1992

52. Birkbeck, University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#325 in Europe

#1018 in the World

Founded: 1823

53. Durham University

England | Durham

For Microbiology

#329 in Europe

#1026 in the World

Enrollment: 19,520
Founded: 1832

54. Cranfield University

England | Cranfield

For Microbiology

#334 in Europe

#1040 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 4,825
Founded: 1993

55. Robert Gordon University

Scotland | Aberdeen

For Microbiology

#335 in Europe

#1051 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1992

56. Nottingham Trent University

England | Nottingham

For Microbiology

#337 in Europe

#1073 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1992

57. Lancaster University

England | Lancaster

For Microbiology

#338 in Europe

#1076 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1964

58. University of Plymouth

England | Plymouth

For Microbiology

#340 in Europe

#1078 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1992

59. Manchester Metropolitan University

England | Manchester

For Microbiology

#347 in Europe

#1107 in the World

Founded: 1992

60. Loughborough University

England | Loughborough

For Microbiology

#356 in Europe

#1146 in the World

Enrollment: 19,449
Founded: 1966

61. University of Central Lancashire

England | Preston

For Microbiology

#365 in Europe

#1191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1992

62. University of Bradford

England | Bradford

For Microbiology

#379 in Europe

#1285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 1966

63. Glasgow Caledonian University

Scotland | Glasgow

For Microbiology

#381 in Europe

#1290 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1993

64. Cardiff Metropolitan University

Wales | Cardiff

For Microbiology

#401 in Europe

#1388 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 2011

65. University of Brighton

England | Brighton

For Microbiology

#411 in Europe

#1451 in the World

Founded: 1992

66. Liverpool John Moores University

England | Liverpool

For Microbiology

#413 in Europe

#1476 in the World

Founded: 1992

67. Northumbria University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Microbiology

#414 in Europe

#1479 in the World

Founded: 1992

68. University of Portsmouth

England | Portsmouth

For Microbiology

#416 in Europe

#1489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

69. University of Wolverhampton

England | Wolverhampton

For Microbiology

#417 in Europe

#1502 in the World

Founded: 1992

70. Kingston University

England | Kingston upon Thames

For Microbiology

#419 in Europe

#1517 in the World

Founded: 1992

71. Middlesex University

England | London

For Microbiology

#427 in Europe

#1558 in the World

Founded: 1973

72. University of Westminster

England | London

For Microbiology

#432 in Europe

#1576 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1838

73. Keele University

England | Keele

For Microbiology

#434 in Europe

#1581 in the World

Founded: 1962

74. University of East London

England | London

For Microbiology

#448 in Europe

#1648 in the World

Founded: 1992

75. Brunel University London

England | Uxbridge

For Microbiology

#452 in Europe

#1712 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Founded: 1966

76. London South Bank University

England | London

For Microbiology

#453 in Europe

#1716 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 1892

77. De Montfort University

England | Leicester

For Microbiology

#454 in Europe

#1719 in the World

Enrollment: 29,000
Founded: 1992

78. University of Greenwich

England | London

For Microbiology

#461 in Europe

#1777 in the World

Founded: 1890

79. University of Huddersfield

England | Huddersfield

For Microbiology

#468 in Europe

#1802 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

80. Scotland's Rural College

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Microbiology

#474 in Europe

#1879 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 2012

81. Sheffield Hallam University

England | Sheffield

For Microbiology

#476 in Europe

#1899 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

82. London School of Economics and Political Science

England | London

For Microbiology

#478 in Europe

#1903 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 9,218
Founded: 1895

83. University of Bedfordshire

England | Luton

For Microbiology

#483 in Europe

#1920 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 2006

84. Edinburgh Napier University

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Microbiology

#485 in Europe

#1964 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

85. Harper Adams University

Wales | Newport

For Microbiology

#500 in Europe

#2053 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Founded: 2012

86. University of Northampton

England | Northampton

For Microbiology

#501 in Europe

#2055 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 2005

87. London Metropolitan University

England | London

For Microbiology

#503 in Europe

#2063 in the World

Founded: 1848

88. University of the West of Scotland

Scotland | Paisley

For Microbiology

#509 in Europe

#2093 in the World

Enrollment: 15,555
Founded: 1897

89. University of Sunderland

England | Sunderland

For Microbiology

#511 in Europe

#2096 in the World

Enrollment: 19,090
Founded: 1992

90. City, University of London

England | London

For Microbiology

#526 in Europe

#2186 in the World

Founded: 1966

91. Coventry University

England | Coventry

For Microbiology

#529 in Europe

#2199 in the World

Enrollment: 22,980
Founded: 1992

92. Abertay University

Scotland | Dundee

For Microbiology

#540 in Europe

#2252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1994

93. University of Lincoln

England | Lincoln

For Microbiology

#554 in Europe

#2336 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 19,710
Founded: 1992

94. University of Roehampton

England | London

For Microbiology

#559 in Europe

#2387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 2004

95. Anglia Ruskin University

England | Cambridge

For Microbiology

#562 in Europe

#2405 in the World

Founded: 1858

96. Bournemouth University

England | Poole

For Microbiology

#565 in Europe

#2429 in the World

Enrollment: 14,293
Founded: 1992

97. Oxford Brookes University

England | Oxford

For Microbiology

#570 in Europe

#2474 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1865

98. University of Worcester

England | Worcester

For Microbiology

#593 in Europe

#2565 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Enrollment: 10,798
Founded: 2005

99. Teesside University

England | Middlesbrough

For Microbiology

#604 in Europe

#2666 in the World

Enrollment: 19,290
Founded: 1992

100. Birmingham City University

England | Birmingham

For Microbiology

#617 in Europe

#2748 in the World

Founded: 1992

The best cities to study Microbiology in the United Kingdom based on the number of universities and their ranks are Oxford, London, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.