Best universities for Asian studies (2026)

18 UK universities teaching Asian studies as a full-time degree, ranked on graduate pay, jobs, student satisfaction, students staying on and entry points.

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#	University	Score	Salary 5 yrs on	Working or studying	Satisfied	Typical UCAS
1	University of Cambridge Cambridge, East of England · TEF Gold	67	£39.5k	85%	83%	200
2	University of Oxford Oxford, South East · TEF Gold	66	£42.5k	95%	72%	184
3	University of St Andrews Scotland	64	£38.5k	85%	86%	200
4	University of Sheffield Sheffield, Yorkshire and The Humber · TEF Silver	58	£31k	86%	87%	152
5	University of Newcastle Upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, North East · TEF Silver	57	£35.5k	82%	91%	120
6	Oxford Brookes University Oxford, South East · TEF Silver	53	£29.5k	88%	81%	120
7	University of Lancaster Lancaster, North West · TEF Gold	52	£31k	85%	75%	152
8	University of Leeds Leeds, Yorkshire and The Humber · TEF Silver	51	£34k	87%	71%	136
9	University of Durham County Durham, North East · TEF Silver	50	£38.5k	85%	68%	176
10	University of East Anglia Norwich, East of England · TEF Silver	50	£29k	85%	84%	104
11	Cardiff University Cardiff, Wales	48	£30.5k	90%	73%	120
12	University of Manchester Manchester, North West · TEF Silver	48	£30k	75%	86%	136
13	De Montfort University Leicester, East Midlands · TEF Silver	45	£24.5k	84%	83%	104
14	University of Westminster Westminster, London · TEF Silver	43	£28.5k	75%	83%	104
15	SOAS University of London Camden, London · TEF Silver	42	£29.5k	75%	75%	136
16	University of Central Lancashire Preston, North West · TEF Silver	38	£25k	75%	81%	104
17	Birkbeck, University of London Camden, London · TEF Bronze	34	£29.5k	75%	77%	88
18	University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Swansea, Wales	26	£19.5k	80%	73%	—

How the score works: universities are compared within each subject on salary five years after graduating (27%), the share in work or further study (18%), student satisfaction (18%), students staying on (13.5%), typical UCAS points (13.5%, compared within each nation) and the TEF rating (10%, England). 50 is typical. Figures: Discover Uni (Office for Students, HESA), National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes, HMRC LEO earnings; full-time first degrees.

Questions

What is the best university for Asian studies?

On our measures University of Cambridge ranks first for Asian studies, followed by University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, University of Sheffield. Rankings depend on what matters to you, so compare pay, jobs and satisfaction.

Which university's Asian studies graduates earn the most?

University of Oxford: typical earnings of £42.5k five years after graduating (HMRC tax records).