Study abroad information

985 211 and the UK's Top100 universities

Domestically, labels such as "985," "211," and "Double First-Class" have long been synonymous with the nation's top academic institutions. Whenever these schools are mentioned, people naturally associate them with high-quality educational resources and bright employment prospects.

If we also divide British universities according to a similar "985", "211" system, where would they be placed in the tertiles? Today, let Teacher Qiu use this familiar perspective to interpret the strength pattern of British universities together, to help everyone establish a clearer understanding of higher education in Britain.

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First echelon

Chinese representatives: Tsinghua University, Peking University

British representative: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford

The admission difficulty and academic status of Peking and Tsinghua universities are unparalleled in China, while Oxford and Cambridge in the UK are ranked higher than Peking and Tsinghua in the world. These two British universities are not only historically rich but also renowned globally for their academic achievements.

01.

University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge has a history of over 800 years of academic heritage. It has nurtured scientific giants such as Newton, Darwin, and Hawking, and maintains a leading position in traditional fields such as mathematics and natural science, while also demonstrating strong strength in emerging disciplines such as computer science and economics.

Strong majors: mathematics, economics, business and management, computer science, law, chemistry, material science, electronic and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, education, linguistics, statistics and operational research, etc.

IELTS requirements: a total score of 7.5 (7.0) or above, with varying scores for each subject.

02.

Oxford University

The history of the University of Oxford dates back to 1096, and it is renowned for its unique tutorial system. The university has nurtured 28 British Prime Ministers and 69 Nobel Prize winners, and it excels in fields such as medicine, law, and economics.

Advantages majors: medicine, life sciences, environmental science, accounting and finance, business and management, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, mathematics, law, education, psychology, pharmacy and pharmacology, etc.

IELTS requirements: a total score of 7.5 (7.0) or above, subject to actual admission.

2

Second echelon

Chinese institutions: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, University of Science and Technology of China

UK institutions: Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics

Among China's top universities, beyond Tsinghua and Peking University, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang University, and the University of Science and Technology of China each have their own distinctive features, excelling in different fields. These schools have consistently ranked among the top in various domestic and international assessments, and have nurtured a large number of outstanding talents. In the United Kingdom, the other three members of the G5 Super Elite University are also exceptionally powerful, each leading the way in specific areas.

01.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London, though the youngest among the G5, excels in its engineering disciplines and has maintained a leading position in research influence in the QS rankings for many years. Its programs in petroleum engineering, aeronautical engineering, etc. are particularly strong.

Strong majors: Petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, computer science, materials science, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, environmental science, statistics and operational research, accounting and finance, etc.

IELTS requirements: a total score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component), subject to the actual admission.

02.

University College London

The University College London is renowned for its comprehensive range of subjects, with education and architecture consistently ranking first in the world for many years. It is also the first university in the UK to implement educational equality.

Advantages majors: pedagogy, architecture, psychology, pharmacy and pharmacology, life sciences, medicine, business and management, economics, linguistics, computer science, chemical engineering, etc.

IELTS requirements: Five levels, from level 1 to level 5, the minimum requirement is a total score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0), the actual admission requirements vary depending on the major.

The image shows the IELTS requirements for Imperial College London.

03.

伦敦 School of Economics and Political Science

The London School of Economics and Political Science stands out in the social sciences, having produced 18 Nobel laureates and exerting global influence in disciplines such as economics and political science.

Strong majors: economics, accounting and finance, business and management, sociology, communication studies, law, political science, philosophy, history, etc.

IELTS requirements: Four bands, the minimum total score is not less than 7.0 (the minimum score for each part is not less than 6.5) (the actual admission requirements are higher than the official website), the actual admission requirements vary according to different majors.

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The third echelon

Chinese institutions: Beijing Normal University, Wuhan University, Renmin University of China, etc.

UK institutions: King's College London, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick

Among the 39 985 universities in China, schools such as Beijing Normal University, Wuhan University, and Renmin University have all excelled in their respective fields. Beijing Normal University stands out in the fields of education and psychology, Wuhan University is known for its beautiful campus and comprehensive academic strength, and Renmin University has a traditional advantage in the social sciences. In the United Kingdom, the four prestigious universities "Wang Man Ai Hua" also have strong capabilities and are firmly ranked among the top ten universities in the UK, each with its own distinctive features.

01.

King's College London

In the heart of London, with strong power in fields such as medicine and law, its medical school is one of the largest medical education centers in Europe.

Advantages majors: communication studies, health studies, medicine, dentistry, law, biology, social sciences and humanities, etc.

IELTS requirements: Mainly divided into 5 bands, the minimum requirement is a total score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0) (the actual admission requirements are higher than the official website), and the actual admission requirements vary slightly depending on the major.

The image shows the admission requirements for King's College London.

02.

The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester excels in fields such as materials science and engineering, thanks to its strong industrial background and rich library resources.

Advantages majors: Electrical and electronic engineering, nursing, accounting and finance, architecture, sociology, chemistry, computer science, law, etc.

IELTS requirements: Requirements vary by major, with a general overall score requirement of 6.0-7.5 (the actual admission requirements are higher than the official website), and the actual admission requirements vary by major.

The image shows the IELTS requirements for the University of Manchester

03.

The University of Edinburgh

As the top academic institution in Scotland, it is strong in fields such as medicine and veterinary science, while also enjoying a unique cultural atmosphere.

Advantages majors: nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, computer science, linguistics, education, mathematics, sociology, etc.

IELTS requirements: No unified language requirement is given, decided by different majors, and the actual admission requirements vary by major.

04.

Warwick University

Warwick University, though not very old, has developed rapidly, and its business school is one of the earliest business schools in the UK to obtain the "triple crown" of accreditations.

Strong majors: economics, business and management, media studies, creative writing, mathematics, statistics and operational research, materials science, etc.

IELTS requirements: divided into 4 levels, the minimum requirement is a total score of 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in each section), and the actual admission requirements vary depending on the major.

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Other teams:

Specialty colleges stratified analysis

01.

Top 80 universities in the UK; beyond the ordinary 985.

China: Central South University, Lanzhou University, Northwest University of Technology, etc.

United Kingdom: University of Bristol, Durham University, University of Glasgow, etc.

02.

Top100 UK universities surpass 211 upstream

China: Jinan University, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing University of Technology, etc.

United Kingdom: University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, etc.

03.

British Top200 institutions surpass ordinary 211.

China: Donghua University, Liaoning University, Nanchang University, etc.

United Kingdom: Cardiff University, Newcastle University, University of Exeter, Loughborough University, etc.

In addition to the top-renowned universities, China and the UK also have many excellent universities with distinctive features.

Top80 universities in the UK, such as Bristol and Durham, have even stronger teaching quality than some of China's 985 universities; Top100 universities, such as Birmingham and Leeds, are stronger than China's upstream 211 universities and have more flexible admission policies; Top200 universities, such as Cardiff and Loughborough, may not have high comprehensive rankings, but they perform outstandingly in specific professional fields. These schools, with their diverse advantages, provide high-quality and inclusive educational opportunities for students from different backgrounds.

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In-depth comparative analysis:

Choose the right educational path for yourself

By comparing China's and the UK's top universities in multiple dimensions, it is possible to discover their respective characteristics and advantages:

Academic reputation: The UK's G5 universities, with their centuries of积累, maintain an advantage in international rankings and academic networks; while China's top institutions, such as Tsinghua and Peking University, are rapidly developing, especially in engineering and technology fields, where they have already ranked among the world's best.

Teaching models: Britain focuses on small class teaching and the tutorial system, emphasizing independent thinking and critical thinking; China focuses on systematic knowledge imparting, and gradually promotes the reform of small class teaching and interactive teaching.

Research focus: The UK has a strong foundation in basic research, encouraging free exploration; China, on the other hand, excels in applied research and engineering technology, focusing on the integration of industry, education, and research and the transformation of research results.

Employment prospects: UK degrees are highly recognized in international organizations and multinational companies, and the visa policy facilitates the accumulation of overseas experience; Chinese 985 universities have a rich alumni network in the local employment market, especially in the government, state-owned enterprises, and key industries.

And the successful admission into these high-quality universities is inseparable from professional planning and preparation. Take Jin Qiu International as an example, its students have successfully obtained a large number of offers from British prestigious universities such as University College London, the University of Manchester, Durham University, etc. in recent years.

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Classmate, Jinqiu International 2025 graduate

(Planned) School to attend:

UCL (QS 13) > Peking University (QS 14, for example, Shandong college entrance exam physics, need 693 points)

A-Level results:

Chinese A, Mathematics A*, Accounting A, Economics A

IELTS score:

IELTS 7.0

Educational Insights

By benchmarking British universities against the domestic "985, 211" systems, we can clearly see the strength of higher education in the UK. The first echelon, represented by Oxford and Cambridge, has a combined academic heritage of over 800 years, having nurtured countless scientific giants and political leaders; the G5 universities, such as Imperial College London and London School of Economics, lead the way in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and social sciences; and the third echelon universities, such as "Wang Man Ai Hua," also show outstanding strength in their respective fields. This benchmarking not only helps us understand the hierarchy of British universities but also reveals the distinctive differences between the Chinese and British education systems.

British universities, with their profound historical heritage, maintain a significant advantage in the international academic arena. Their distinctive tutorial system and small-class teaching focus on cultivating students' independent thinking abilities. For students aspire to study abroad, this systematic comparison not only provides clear references for school selection but also helps them make the most suitable educational choices under a global perspective, understanding the cultural characteristics and development trends behind different education systems.