British universities, referring to universities in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are one of the university groups with the highest overall and average teaching and research level in the world. British universities have royal charters, papal letters and parliamentary acts, all of which are filed in the Privy Council. The British government stipulates that only such institutions can award degrees.

By the end of 20 16, there were 163 public higher education institutions in Britain. According to the QS World University Ranking in 20 16, * * there are 10 British universities in the top 50, 18 universities in the top 100, and 30 universities in the top 200.

British universities are independent institutions. Although their main funds are funded by the British Higher Education Grants Committee, they are not under the jurisdiction and control of any government department.

They have the privilege granted by the Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament to decide their own students and staff. However, the government has begun to intervene in some aspects, such as the strict supervision of university funds by the government.

/kloc-Before the 0/9th century, there were six universities in Britain, including two in England and four in Scotland. They were built in the Middle Ages, so they are called medieval universities. No university was established from 16 to 19 century.