The easiest universities in the UK for students applying in 2025, revealed

The easiest universities in the UK for students

Worried your dream of starting uni might hinge on a long-shot offer? This guide to The easiest universities in the UK for students uses publicly reported offer rates to highlight institutions where applicants most commonly receive an offer for 2025 entry.

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Important: A high offer rate does not mean low quality. It usually reflects course mix (for example, practice-based arts), portfolio admissions, regional recruitment goals, or simply prudent planning for how many applicants will accept their place.

How we identified The easiest universities in the UK for students

Offer rate is the proportion of applicants who receive at least one offer from a university. The figures below are drawn from UCAS undergraduate data (2024 admissions cycle) and summarised for 2025 entry. Use them as a starting point—always check current entry requirements for your specific course.

Top UK universities with the highest offer rates (2025 entry)

Quick take: Creative arts specialists dominate the very top, while there’s one notable Russell Group appearance (Exeter). Use this list to widen your options, find safe choices, or build a balanced application strategy.

Rank	University	Approx. offer rate
30	Oxford Brookes University	83.9 per cent
29	University of Lincoln	84.5 per cent
28	York St John University	85.0 per cent
27	University of Exeter (Russell Group)	85.1 per cent
26	London Metropolitan University	85.2 per cent
=24	Liverpool Hope University	85.5 per cent
=24	Newman University, Birmingham	85.5 per cent
23	St Mary’s University, Twickenham	n/a
22	Cardiff Metropolitan University	86.2 per cent
21	University of Northampton	86.3 per cent
=19	University of Reading	86.4 per cent
=19	University of Derby	86.4 per cent
18	Lancaster University	86.8 per cent
17	Abertay University	87.0 per cent
16	Royal Holloway, University of London	87.5 per cent
15	Coventry University	88.1 per cent
14	University of Gloucestershire	88.9 per cent
13	De Montfort University	89.3 per cent
12	University of Kent	90.7 per cent
=10	Nottingham Trent University	90.8 per cent
=10	University of Winchester	90.8 per cent
9	University of South Wales	90.9 per cent
8	Northumbria University	91.2 per cent
7	SOAS University of London	92.6 per cent
6	University of Sussex	92.7 per cent
5	Bishop Grosseteste University	93.4 per cent
4	Aberystwyth University	94.4 per cent
3	Solent University (Southampton)	95.0 per cent
2	University for the Creative Arts	96.7 per cent
1	Plymouth College of Art	97.7 per cent

Note: Offer rates can vary between courses at the same university. Competitive subjects (for example, Medicine or selective Law routes) may have considerably lower rates than the institutional average.

How to use this list wisely

Build a balanced shortlist: Combine two or three “likely” options from this table with a couple of aspirational choices and at least one safe choice aligned to your grades.
Read the small print: Check subject-specific requirements (grades, GCSE subjects, portfolios, auditions, admissions tests).
Strengthen your personal statement: Evidence genuine engagement—projects, reading, work experience—and link it to the course outcomes.
Mind the course fit: Teaching style, assessment mix, placements, and campus location should drive your final decision more than the headline offer rate.

Frequently asked questions

Does a higher offer rate mean an easier degree?

No. Offer rate concerns admissions, not academic difficulty. Once enrolled, standards, contact hours and assessment criteria are set at programme level, not by how many offers were made.

Why is a Russell Group university on this list?

Because institutional averages hide course-level nuance. Large, less selective programmes can lift a university’s overall offer rate even when other courses remain highly competitive.

Are The easiest universities in the UK for students the right choice for me?

They might be—especially if you need a secure offer or value practice-based learning. But prioritise course content, accreditation, placement opportunities, and graduate outcomes over the headline percentage.

Next steps with School Search

Use our tools to compare entry requirements, modules, fees, and accommodation. Shortlist from The easiest universities in the UK for students, then drill down to the course pages that truly match your goals.

Still unsure where to begin? Our advisers can help you map your predicted grades to options across the UK, including The easiest universities in the UK for students as part of a well-balanced application plan—so you apply with confidence.