The United Kingdom is a strong destination for humanities study. Located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe, it has long shaped global history, literature, philosophy, the arts, and cultural studies. Students taking a humanities degree in the UK can benefit from extensive libraries, museums, archives, and academic networks.
Another reason to study in the UK is that it has many leading public universities. The country is home to world’s top-performing institutions in different disciplines, including the humanities. Enrolling in these schools can open many opportunities to choose a specialization or major. Studying in a country with a strong background in the humanities can also give your degree an academic edge.
However, where should you study? In this article, we list some of the best humanities universities in the United Kingdom that you can consider.
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in the UK
1. University of Oxford
One of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Oxford is highly regarded for its performance in research and education. Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and it remains one of the leading institutions for arts and humanities. The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 places Oxford first globally for arts and humanities.
Oxford is organized into four academic divisions, one of which is the Humanities Division. This division brings together key humanities faculties, departments, and research centers, and Oxford offers humanities courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can explore a broad range of areas, including classics, English, history, history of art, languages, music, philosophy, and theology and religion.
Students also benefit from Oxford’s extensive libraries, museums, collections, and academic events. With centuries of teaching and research behind it, the university gives humanities students access to rich academic resources and a strong scholarly community.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is another world-class institution widely known for its contributions to research and education. It is home to about 25,000 students from more than 140 countries. As a top-tier global university, it has significantly influenced higher education worldwide.
Cambridge’s School of Arts and Humanities is one of the university’s six academic schools. It supports teaching and research across a wide range of humanities fields, including architecture and history of art, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, classics, divinity, English, modern and medieval languages and linguistics, music, and philosophy. The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 places Cambridge third globally for arts and humanities.
As an incoming student here, you can choose from various programs and learning opportunities in the field. The school’s faculties and research centers support interdisciplinary activity, and students can benefit from Cambridge’s strong academic resources, research culture, and global reputation.
3. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh in Scotland is another top humanities school in the UK, known for its research and teaching. Founded in 1583, this public institution has developed into one of Europe’s major research universities. It is also recognized in global subject rankings, with its College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ranked 9th in the world and 4th in the UK for arts and humanities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
If you study humanities and related disciplines at the University of Edinburgh, you can build a strong foundation for your chosen major. The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences traces its current structure to the university’s 2002 restructuring and now supports 11 academic schools, the Centre for Open Learning, the Edinburgh Futures Institute, and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities. It offers one of the broadest ranges of academic choices in the UK and attracts undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 160 countries.
Because Edinburgh is a comprehensive research institution, students can explore numerous educational and research activities across the college and the wider university. Its research community works across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, giving students opportunities to engage with interdisciplinary projects, public engagement, and international academic networks.
4. University College London
As one of the most internationally diverse universities in the UK, University College London (UCL) is a strong choice for humanities students from around the world. Located in the heart of London, UCL has more than 51,000 students from over 150 countries, and 52% of its students were overseas students in 2024/25. Across UCL, students can explore humanities and humanities-adjacent disciplines such as languages, philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, and cultural studies.
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities provides teaching and research across a broad range of fields, from philosophy and fine art to Jewish studies and European languages. UCL Arts & Humanities is ranked 8th globally for arts and humanities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The faculty offers undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research options, giving students opportunities to develop their specialization through innovative degree programs and research pathways.
The BA Archaeology and Anthropology program at UCL illustrates how the university blends rigorous academic study with a global, human-focused perspective. As Louisa from Jakarta shares, “I’m studying the BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University College London. I’ve always loved history and learning about how the past mirrors not just the present but the future, in societies all over the world.” She explains that this joint degree “allows me to explore both the material and social side of history, whilst broadening the scope of study to intersect with a lot of different fields (e.g. geography, sociology) beyond just a specific time period of history.” This kind of interdisciplinary, globally oriented curriculum is one of the strengths of studying humanities-related subjects at UCL.
5. Durham University
A leading public institution in England, Durham University offers humanities and related disciplines to undergraduate and graduate students. The university is structured into four faculties, including the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, which supports teaching and research across six departments and one school.
Durham is known for strong humanities programs in the UK. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Durham’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities was ranked joint 31st globally, and all eligible arts and humanities subject areas were placed in the world top 50. The faculty includes disciplines such as classics and ancient history, English studies, history, modern languages and cultures, music, philosophy, and theology and religion.
Undergraduate students can explore discipline-specific and interdisciplinary options, while master’s and doctoral students can develop advanced research skills through taught MA programs, elective modules, and PhD pathways. These opportunities can prepare students for further study, research, and careers connected to the humanities.
Studying humanities programs in the United Kingdom gives students access to high-quality teaching, world-class academic resources, and teachers who encourage critical thinking, cultural awareness, and cross-disciplinary perspectives. If you want to pursue humanities in the UK, consider the universities listed in this article and choose the one that best suits your goals.
We hope this article on the best universities to study humanities in the United Kingdom was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Study in the UK Page and the Available Programs for International Students!
