100 Best universities for Oncology and Cancer research 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 Oncology and Cancer research. A graph of 12.9M citations received by 265K academic papers made by 110 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 College London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#3 in Europe

#24 in the World

Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1826

2. University of Oxford

England | Oxford

For Oncology and Cancer research

#4 in Europe

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1096

3. University of Cambridge

England | Cambridge

For Oncology and Cancer research

#5 in Europe

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1209

4. Imperial College London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#12 in Europe

#73 in the World

Enrollment: 17,565
Founded: 1907

5. University of Manchester

England | Manchester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#19 in Europe

#99 in the World

Founded: 1824

6. King's College London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#31 in Europe

#128 in the World

Founded: 1829

7. University of Edinburgh

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Oncology and Cancer research

#32 in Europe

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Founded: 1583

8. University of Birmingham

England | Birmingham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#35 in Europe

#134 in the World

Founded: 1900

9. University of Liverpool

England | Liverpool

For Oncology and Cancer research

#39 in Europe

#156 in the World

Enrollment: 28,693
Founded: 1881

10. Queen Mary University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#40 in Europe

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1989

11. University of Glasgow

Scotland | Glasgow

For Oncology and Cancer research

#42 in Europe

#166 in the World

Founded: 1451

12. University of Dundee

Scotland | Dundee

For Oncology and Cancer research

#48 in Europe

#179 in the World

Founded: 1967

13. Newcastle University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Oncology and Cancer research

#50 in Europe

#187 in the World

Founded: 1963

14. University of Nottingham

England | Nottingham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#53 in Europe

#194 in the World

Founded: 1948

15. University of Leeds

England | Leeds

For Oncology and Cancer research

#60 in Europe

#208 in the World

Founded: 1904

16. University of Sheffield

England | Sheffield

For Oncology and Cancer research

#63 in Europe

#218 in the World

Founded: 1905

17. Cardiff University

Wales | Cardiff

For Oncology and Cancer research

#64 in Europe

#222 in the World

Founded: 1997

18. University of Bristol

England | Bristol

For Oncology and Cancer research

#76 in Europe

#245 in the World

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

19. University of Southampton

England | Southampton

For Oncology and Cancer research

#102 in Europe

#302 in the World

Enrollment: 21,335
Founded: 1952

20. University of Leicester

England | Leicester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#114 in Europe

#321 in the World

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

21. Queen's University Belfast

Northern Ireland | Belfast

For Oncology and Cancer research

#116 in Europe

#328 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1849

22. University of Aberdeen

Scotland | Aberdeen

For Oncology and Cancer research

#117 in Europe

#331 in the World

Founded: 1495

23. University of Wales

Wales | Cardiff

For Oncology and Cancer research

#147 in Europe

#423 in the World

Founded: 1893

24. St George's, University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#151 in Europe

#430 in the World

Founded: 1733

25. Ulster University

Northern Ireland | Coleraine

For Oncology and Cancer research

#161 in Europe

#456 in the World

Founded: 1968

26. University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#162 in Europe

#459 in the World

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1836

27. University of Sussex

England | Brighton

For Oncology and Cancer research

#178 in Europe

#518 in the World

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

28. University of York

England | York

For Oncology and Cancer research

#188 in Europe

#541 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1963

29. University of Warwick

England | Coventry

For Oncology and Cancer research

#202 in Europe

#581 in the World

Enrollment: 27,278
Founded: 1965

30. University of East Anglia

England | Norwich

For Oncology and Cancer research

#216 in Europe

#631 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1963

31. University of Surrey

England | Guildford

For Oncology and Cancer research

#218 in Europe

#650 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1966

32. University of Hull

England | Kingston upon Hull

For Oncology and Cancer research

#223 in Europe

#671 in the World

Founded: 1954

33. University of Exeter

England | Exeter

For Oncology and Cancer research

#240 in Europe

#731 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1955

34. University of Strathclyde

Scotland | Glasgow

For Oncology and Cancer research

#242 in Europe

#734 in the World

Founded: 1964

35. Keele University

England | Keele

For Oncology and Cancer research

#245 in Europe

#743 in the World

Founded: 1962

36. Aston University

England | Birmingham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#253 in Europe

#776 in the World

Founded: 1895

37. University of Bradford

England | Bradford

For Oncology and Cancer research

#254 in Europe

#777 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 1966

38. Brunel University London

England | Uxbridge

For Oncology and Cancer research

#256 in Europe

#782 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Founded: 1966

39. Swansea University

Wales | Swansea

For Oncology and Cancer research

#257 in Europe

#784 in the World

Founded: 1920

40. University of Bath

England | Bath

For Oncology and Cancer research

#258 in Europe

#788 in the World

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

41. University of Reading

England | Reading

For Oncology and Cancer research

#259 in Europe

#789 in the World

Founded: 1892

42. University of St Andrews

Scotland | St Andrews

For Oncology and Cancer research

#260 in Europe

#791 in the World

Enrollment: 10,425
Founded: 1413

43. Durham University

England | Durham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#276 in Europe

#890 in the World

Enrollment: 19,520
Founded: 1832

44. Nottingham Trent University

England | Nottingham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#293 in Europe

#957 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1992

45. University of Salford

England | Salford

For Oncology and Cancer research

#299 in Europe

#980 in the World

Founded: 1967

46. Royal Veterinary College University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#306 in Europe

#1026 in the World

Founded: 1791

47. Lancaster University

England | Lancaster

For Oncology and Cancer research

#319 in Europe

#1076 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1964

48. University of Kent

England | Canterbury

For Oncology and Cancer research

#325 in Europe

#1103 in the World

Founded: 1965

49. University of Portsmouth

England | Portsmouth

For Oncology and Cancer research

#330 in Europe

#1122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

50. Middlesex University

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#341 in Europe

#1157 in the World

Founded: 1973

51. University of the West of England

England | Bristol

For Oncology and Cancer research

#343 in Europe

#1162 in the World

Enrollment: 30,732
Founded: 1992

52. Oxford Brookes University

England | Oxford

For Oncology and Cancer research

#353 in Europe

#1227 in the World

Enrollment: 16,900
Founded: 1865

53. University of Central Lancashire

England | Preston

For Oncology and Cancer research

#354 in Europe

#1235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1992

54. University of Wolverhampton

England | Wolverhampton

For Oncology and Cancer research

#356 in Europe

#1239 in the World

Founded: 1992

55. Manchester Metropolitan University

England | Manchester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#359 in Europe

#1246 in the World

Founded: 1992

56. Bangor University

Wales | Bangor

For Oncology and Cancer research

#361 in Europe

#1253 in the World

Enrollment: 11,270
Founded: 1884

57. University of Stirling

Scotland | Stirling

For Oncology and Cancer research

#363 in Europe

#1258 in the World

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

58. Anglia Ruskin University

England | Cambridge

For Oncology and Cancer research

#371 in Europe

#1278 in the World

Founded: 1858

59. University of Hertfordshire

England | Hatfield

For Oncology and Cancer research

#372 in Europe

#1285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

60. University of Essex

England | Colchester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#375 in Europe

#1299 in the World

Founded: 1964

61. Loughborough University

England | Loughborough

For Oncology and Cancer research

#379 in Europe

#1317 in the World

Enrollment: 19,449
Founded: 1966

62. University of Plymouth

England | Plymouth

For Oncology and Cancer research

#381 in Europe

#1336 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1992

63. Sheffield Hallam University

England | Sheffield

For Oncology and Cancer research

#383 in Europe

#1343 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

64. Cranfield University

England | Cranfield

For Oncology and Cancer research

#413 in Europe

#1474 in the World

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

65. Kingston University

England | Kingston upon Thames

For Oncology and Cancer research

#414 in Europe

#1476 in the World

Founded: 1992

66. Heriot-Watt University

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Oncology and Cancer research

#440 in Europe

#1569 in the World

Founded: 1966

67. Birkbeck, University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#441 in Europe

#1578 in the World

Founded: 1823

68. Liverpool John Moores University

England | Liverpool

For Oncology and Cancer research

#442 in Europe

#1583 in the World

Founded: 1992

69. University of Westminster

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#443 in Europe

#1585 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1838

70. City, University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#444 in Europe

#1586 in the World

Founded: 1966

71. University of Huddersfield

England | Huddersfield

For Oncology and Cancer research

#458 in Europe

#1671 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Founded: 1992

72. Royal Holloway, University of London

England | Egham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#462 in Europe

#1702 in the World

Founded: 1849

73. London South Bank University

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#467 in Europe

#1742 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 1892

74. Coventry University

England | Coventry

For Oncology and Cancer research

#468 in Europe

#1745 in the World

Enrollment: 22,980
Founded: 1992

75. Northumbria University

England | Newcastle upon Tyne

For Oncology and Cancer research

#470 in Europe

#1750 in the World

Founded: 1992

76. De Montfort University

England | Leicester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#471 in Europe

#1758 in the World

Enrollment: 29,000
Founded: 1992

77. Glasgow Caledonian University

Scotland | Glasgow

For Oncology and Cancer research

#476 in Europe

#1799 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1993

78. Bournemouth University

England | Poole

For Oncology and Cancer research

#478 in Europe

#1806 in the World

Enrollment: 14,293
Founded: 1992

79. Birmingham City University

England | Birmingham

For Oncology and Cancer research

#481 in Europe

#1813 in the World

Founded: 1992

80. London School of Economics and Political Science

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#485 in Europe

#1855 in the World

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

81. University of Brighton

England | Brighton

For Oncology and Cancer research

#486 in Europe

#1856 in the World

Founded: 1992

82. Edge Hill University

England | Ormskirk

For Oncology and Cancer research

#492 in Europe

#1880 in the World

Founded: 2006

83. Aberystwyth University

Wales | Aberystwyth

For Oncology and Cancer research

#510 in Europe

#1974 in the World

Founded: 1872

84. Edinburgh Napier University

Scotland | Edinburgh

For Oncology and Cancer research

#515 in Europe

#2000 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

85. University of Bedfordshire

England | Luton

For Oncology and Cancer research

#524 in Europe

#2083 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 2006

86. Robert Gordon University

Scotland | Aberdeen

For Oncology and Cancer research

#525 in Europe

#2086 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1992

87. Teesside University

England | Middlesbrough

For Oncology and Cancer research

#535 in Europe

#2137 in the World

Enrollment: 19,290
Founded: 1992

88. University of Lincoln

England | Lincoln

For Oncology and Cancer research

#544 in Europe

#2193 in the World

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

89. University of Sunderland

England | Sunderland

For Oncology and Cancer research

#554 in Europe

#2247 in the World

Enrollment: 19,090
Founded: 1992

90. University of the West of Scotland

Scotland | Paisley

For Oncology and Cancer research

#570 in Europe

#2343 in the World

Enrollment: 15,555
Founded: 1897

91. Leeds Beckett University

England | Leeds

For Oncology and Cancer research

#573 in Europe

#2356 in the World

Founded: 1992

92. Canterbury Christ Church University

England | Canterbury

For Oncology and Cancer research

#575 in Europe

#2362 in the World

Founded: 2005

93. University of Greenwich

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#578 in Europe

#2384 in the World

Founded: 1890

94. University of South Wales

Wales | Pontypridd

For Oncology and Cancer research

#586 in Europe

#2413 in the World

Founded: 1841

95. University of Chester

England | Chester

For Oncology and Cancer research

#604 in Europe

#2486 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 2005

96. University of West London

England | Ealing

For Oncology and Cancer research

#612 in Europe

#2537 in the World

Founded: 1990

97. University of Derby

England | Derby

For Oncology and Cancer research

#617 in Europe

#2554 in the World

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

98. Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#627 in Europe

#2621 in the World

Founded: 1932

99. Staffordshire University

England | Stoke-on-Trent

For Oncology and Cancer research

#633 in Europe

#2663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Founded: 1992

100. London Metropolitan University

England | London

For Oncology and Cancer research

#636 in Europe

#2682 in the World

Founded: 1848

The best cities to study Oncology and Cancer research in the United Kingdom based on the number of universities and their ranks are London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Manchester.