100 Best universities for Philosophy in England

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in England ranked based on their research performance in Philosophy. A graph of 41.5M citations received by 1.33M academic papers made by 120 universities in England 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

For Philosophy

#1 in the United Kingdom

#1 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1096

2. University College London

For Philosophy

#2 in the United Kingdom

#2 in Europe

Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1826

3. University of Cambridge

For Philosophy

#3 in the United Kingdom

#3 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1209

4. University of Manchester

For Philosophy

#5 in the United Kingdom

#12 in Europe

Founded: 1824

5. Imperial College London

For Philosophy

#6 in the United Kingdom

#22 in Europe

Enrollment: 17,565
Founded: 1907

6. King's College London

For Philosophy

#7 in the United Kingdom

#23 in Europe

Founded: 1829

7. University of Bristol

For Philosophy

#8 in the United Kingdom

#30 in Europe

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

8. University of Birmingham

For Philosophy

#9 in the United Kingdom

#32 in Europe

Founded: 1900

9. University of Sheffield

For Philosophy

#10 in the United Kingdom

#34 in Europe

Founded: 1905

10. University of Nottingham

For Philosophy

#11 in the United Kingdom

#38 in Europe

Founded: 1948

11. University of Warwick

For Philosophy

#12 in the United Kingdom

#43 in Europe

Enrollment: 27,278
Founded: 1965

12. University of Leeds

For Philosophy

#13 in the United Kingdom

#45 in Europe

Founded: 1904

13. London School of Economics and Political Science

For Philosophy

#14 in the United Kingdom

#49 in Europe

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

14. University of Southampton

For Philosophy

#16 in the United Kingdom

#70 in Europe

Enrollment: 21,335
Founded: 1952

15. University of York

For Philosophy

#17 in the United Kingdom

#74 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1963

16. University of Sussex

For Philosophy

#18 in the United Kingdom

#78 in Europe

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

17. Lancaster University

For Philosophy

#19 in the United Kingdom

#84 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1964

18. University of London

For Philosophy

#20 in the United Kingdom

#85 in Europe

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1836

19. University of Liverpool

For Philosophy

#21 in the United Kingdom

#88 in Europe

Enrollment: 28,693
Founded: 1881

20. Durham University

For Philosophy

#23 in the United Kingdom

#96 in Europe

Enrollment: 19,520
Founded: 1832

21. University of Exeter

For Philosophy

#24 in the United Kingdom

#106 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1955

22. Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne

For Philosophy

#25 in the United Kingdom

#108 in Europe

Founded: 1963

23. Queen Mary University of London

For Philosophy

#26 in the United Kingdom

#122 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1989

24. University of Reading

For Philosophy

#27 in the United Kingdom

#131 in Europe

Founded: 1892

25. University of Leicester

For Philosophy

#30 in the United Kingdom

#156 in Europe

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

26. University of Essex

For Philosophy

#31 in the United Kingdom

#159 in Europe

Founded: 1964

27. Loughborough University

For Philosophy

#32 in the United Kingdom

#167 in Europe

Enrollment: 19,449
Founded: 1966

28. University of Kent

For Philosophy

#33 in the United Kingdom

#170 in Europe

Founded: 1965

29. University of Surrey

For Philosophy

#34 in the United Kingdom

#171 in Europe

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1966

30. Birkbeck, University of London

For Philosophy

#35 in the United Kingdom

#181 in Europe

Founded: 1823

31. University of East Anglia

For Philosophy

#36 in the United Kingdom

#186 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1963

32. University of the West of England

For Philosophy

#38 in the United Kingdom

#203 in Europe

Enrollment: 30,732
Founded: 1992

33. University of Bath

For Philosophy

#39 in the United Kingdom

#209 in Europe

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

34. Royal Holloway, University of London

For Philosophy

#40 in the United Kingdom

#210 in Europe

Founded: 1849

35. Brunel University London

For Philosophy

#44 in the United Kingdom

#239 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Founded: 1966

36. Keele University

For Philosophy

#47 in the United Kingdom

#260 in Europe

Founded: 1962

37. City, University of London

For Philosophy

#49 in the United Kingdom

#266 in Europe

Founded: 1966

38. St George's, University of London

For Philosophy

#50 in the United Kingdom

#276 in Europe

Founded: 1733

39. Goldsmiths, University of London

For Philosophy

#52 in the United Kingdom

#286 in Europe

Founded: 1904

40. University of Hull

Kingston upon Hull

For Philosophy

#53 in the United Kingdom

#289 in Europe

Founded: 1954

41. University of Plymouth

For Philosophy

#54 in the United Kingdom

#296 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1992

42. Manchester Metropolitan University

For Philosophy

#55 in the United Kingdom

#304 in Europe

Founded: 1992

43. Nottingham Trent University

For Philosophy

#56 in the United Kingdom

#312 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1992

44. Northumbria University

Newcastle upon Tyne

For Philosophy

#57 in the United Kingdom

#315 in Europe

Founded: 1992

45. University of Portsmouth

For Philosophy

#58 in the United Kingdom

#321 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

46. Aston University

For Philosophy

#59 in the United Kingdom

#325 in Europe

Founded: 1895

47. University of Salford

For Philosophy

#60 in the United Kingdom

#330 in Europe

Founded: 1967

48. University of Hertfordshire

For Philosophy

#61 in the United Kingdom

#340 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

49. University of Bradford

For Philosophy

#62 in the United Kingdom

#345 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 1966

50. De Montfort University

For Philosophy

#63 in the United Kingdom

#350 in Europe

Enrollment: 29,000
Founded: 1992

51. Oxford Brookes University

For Philosophy

#64 in the United Kingdom

#351 in Europe

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1865

52. Cranfield University

For Philosophy

#65 in the United Kingdom

#352 in Europe

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

53. Sheffield Hallam University

For Philosophy

#66 in the United Kingdom

#379 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

54. SOAS, University of London

For Philosophy

#67 in the United Kingdom

#380 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Enrollment: 6,295
Founded: 1916

55. Liverpool John Moores University

For Philosophy

#68 in the United Kingdom

#382 in Europe

Founded: 1992

56. University of Huddersfield

For Philosophy

#71 in the United Kingdom

#391 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

57. University of Brighton

For Philosophy

#72 in the United Kingdom

#392 in Europe

Founded: 1992

58. Coventry University

For Philosophy

#73 in the United Kingdom

#394 in Europe

Enrollment: 22,980
Founded: 1992

59. Bournemouth University

For Philosophy

#74 in the United Kingdom

#403 in Europe

Enrollment: 14,293
Founded: 1992

60. University of Westminster

For Philosophy

#75 in the United Kingdom

#408 in Europe

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1838

61. London Business School

For Philosophy

#76 in the United Kingdom

#416 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1964

62. Middlesex University

For Philosophy

#77 in the United Kingdom

#417 in Europe

Founded: 1973

63. Leeds Beckett University

For Philosophy

#78 in the United Kingdom

#433 in Europe

Founded: 1992

64. University of Wolverhampton

For Philosophy

#79 in the United Kingdom

#438 in Europe

Founded: 1992

65. University of Central Lancashire

For Philosophy

#80 in the United Kingdom

#440 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1992

66. University of East London

For Philosophy

#81 in the United Kingdom

#457 in Europe

Founded: 1992

67. University of Roehampton

For Philosophy

#82 in the United Kingdom

#463 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 2004

68. London Metropolitan University

For Philosophy

#84 in the United Kingdom

#470 in Europe

Founded: 1848

69. University of Greenwich

For Philosophy

#85 in the United Kingdom

#493 in Europe

Founded: 1890

70. University of Lincoln

For Philosophy

#86 in the United Kingdom

#516 in Europe

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

71. Kingston University

Kingston upon Thames

For Philosophy

#87 in the United Kingdom

#517 in Europe

Founded: 1992

72. London South Bank University

For Philosophy

#88 in the United Kingdom

#521 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 1892

73. Anglia Ruskin University

For Philosophy

#91 in the United Kingdom

#537 in Europe

Founded: 1858

74. Staffordshire University

For Philosophy

#93 in the United Kingdom

#554 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1992

75. Teesside University

For Philosophy

#94 in the United Kingdom

#555 in Europe

Enrollment: 19,290
Founded: 1992

76. University of Derby

For Philosophy

#95 in the United Kingdom

#573 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Enrollment: 25,000
Founded: 1992

77. Canterbury Christ Church University

For Philosophy

#96 in the United Kingdom

#575 in Europe

Founded: 2005

78. University of Sunderland

For Philosophy

#97 in the United Kingdom

#582 in Europe

Enrollment: 19,090
Founded: 1992

79. Birmingham City University

For Philosophy

#98 in the United Kingdom

#583 in Europe

Founded: 1992

80. University of Bedfordshire

For Philosophy

#99 in the United Kingdom

#588 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 2006

81. Edge Hill University

For Philosophy

#101 in the United Kingdom

#609 in Europe

Founded: 2006

82. University of West London

For Philosophy

#103 in the United Kingdom

#637 in Europe

Founded: 1990

83. University of Chester

For Philosophy

#104 in the United Kingdom

#651 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 2005

84. University of Northampton

For Philosophy

#106 in the United Kingdom

#682 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 2005

85. University of Worcester

For Philosophy

#107 in the United Kingdom

#686 in Europe

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

86. University of Winchester

For Philosophy

#109 in the United Kingdom

#689 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 2005

87. Liverpool Hope University

For Philosophy

#110 in the United Kingdom

#716 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Founded: 2005

88. University of Gloucestershire

For Philosophy

#111 in the United Kingdom

#719 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 2001

89. York St John University

For Philosophy

#112 in the United Kingdom

#743 in Europe

Founded: 1841

90. University of the Arts London

For Philosophy

#113 in the United Kingdom

#773 in Europe

Founded: 1986

91. Royal Veterinary College University of London

For Philosophy

#114 in the United Kingdom

#778 in Europe

Founded: 1791

92. Bath Spa University

For Philosophy

#115 in the United Kingdom

#779 in Europe

Enrollment: 6,863
Founded: 1975

93. University of Bolton

For Philosophy

#116 in the United Kingdom

#789 in Europe

Founded: 2004

94. Royal College of Art

For Philosophy

#118 in the United Kingdom

#843 in Europe

Founded: 1896

95. University of Buckingham

For Philosophy

#119 in the United Kingdom

#850 in Europe

Founded: 1973

96. School of Advanced Study, University of London

For Philosophy

#120 in the United Kingdom

#871 in Europe

Founded: 1994

97. Buckinghamshire New University

For Philosophy

#121 in the United Kingdom

#885 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Founded: 2007

98. Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London

For Philosophy

#122 in the United Kingdom

#904 in Europe

Founded: 1932

99. Royal Agricultural University

For Philosophy

#123 in the United Kingdom

#912 in Europe

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

100. University of Chichester

For Philosophy

#124 in the United Kingdom

#916 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 2005

Closest to England states to learn Philosophy

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Wales	10	22
Scotland	18	4

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in England

Anthropology109

Broadcast Journalism69

Classics and Ancient History101

Communications and Public Relations106

Criminology and Criminal Justice92

Early Childhood Education71

Education Majors110

Forensic Science64

Gender Studies105

Human Rights Law78

Intellectual Property and Patent Law56

International Law68

International Relations and Diplomacy69

Journalism and Digital Media86

Law Enforcement84

Library and Information science104

Media Studies104

Military science76

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution81

Occupational Safety and Health62

Political Economy89

Political Science119

Public Policy / Administration92

Radio and Television broadcasting60

Special Education81

Sports / Exercise science79

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies110

Urban and Regional planning72