Dark Academia Universities UK: Top 10 Amazing Aesthetic Unis
Dark Academia has taken the world by storm. This aesthetic values traditional academic pursuits.
So, it’s no wonder that many university applicants want to know which universities will best help them live out their aesthetic with the top Dark Academia universities in the UK.
There are quite a few articles about Dark Academia colleges in the USA, but as a bit there a plenty of Dark Academia colleges over here too!
Benefits of the aesthetics followers have found an increase in work ethic, broadened interests, and academic achievement.
For many, an immersion in an environment that suits these aesthetics may help encourage these benefits even further.
Many of the universities on the list have wonderful societies too, which means you can deep dive into your dark academia hobbies alongside your studies.
So, I’m here to help. If you’re a lover of the aesthetic, here is a guide to the top 10 Dark Academia universities in the UK. From traditions to historic buildings to famous alumni. It’s all laid out for you here so you can make the best decision possible.
Table of Contents
- #10: University of Greenwich
- #9 Aberystwyth University
- #8 Royal Holloway University
- #7 Keele University
- #6 University of Glasgow
- #5 University of Edinburgh
- #4 Durham University
- #3 University of St Andrews
- #2 University of Cambridge
- #1 University of Oxford
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
#10: University of Greenwich
The Greenwich Campus at the University of Greenwich is hosted in an iconic historical building. It’s located at the Old Royal Naval College, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient centre of learning. Before this, it was a royal palace, serving as the birthplace of the likes of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I.
This campus is also home to “The Painted Hall”. This is a grand hall covered in over 200 18th-century paintings, as well as a large classical library.
This aesthetic university is on the banks of the River Thames. It is also a small walk from Greenwich Park, filled with lakes, historical buildings and blooming gardens.
Nearby is also the Royal Observatory, Greenwich – an observatory which has been a major player in the history of astronomy.
With its Naval history roots and its links to the observatory, this is a great option for those who like the Science Academia Aesthetic.
The art galleries, museums and theatres of central London are also only a 30-minute train journey away. This concentration of art and culture makes it one of the most Dark Academia universities in the UK
This Science Academia university offers a range of courses including business, law, sciences, creative arts and media.
It is a great choice for anyone wanting to study in a beautiful historic location, with the advantages of London only a short commute away.
Check out what there is to do in London with my ultimate guide.
#9 Aberystwyth University
One of the founding members of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth University is one of the oldest educational institutions in Wales. Its location in the small town of Aberystwyth makes for a cozy and quieter university experience by the seaside.
If you’re one for pensive walks on the seafront then this university is for you. Its oldest building is the stunning Old College, and the town itself is filled with old stone Welsh buildings.
If you’re a bit more of an outdoorsy person, then this historic university might be for you.
Not only offering the amazing Ceredigion seafront, the National Park of Snowdonia is also only a short journey away. This location has inspired myths, poets and painters.
Aberystwyth University specialises in the sciences, arts, and business. If you want to live in a small seafront town, centred around student life, then this one will be perfect for you.
Check out my guide to Cardigan Bay to find out more about the area.
#8 Royal Holloway University
Royal Holloway University is well-known for its striking main campus. This grand Victorian architecture has been described as some of the most impressive in the UK.
It is regularly used as a filming location for prestigious university campuses itself. Originally opening as a women’s college, it only began to admit men in the 1960s.
It was opened during the Victorian period by Queen Victoria itself. Its highlights include a grand old chapel and a historic art gallery containing works by artists such as Millais and Burne-Jones.
This aesthetic university is set in 135 acres of woodland. These stunning surroundings only add to the grandeur of the university’s visuals. A walk around the universities Arboretum is a great way to settle your mind after your studies.
It is also only a 40 minute journey from the centre of London. This means you get all the perks that come with the capital, whilst still studying in a woodland surrounded historical building.
The university offers a wide range of subjects including business, sciences, arts, performance, and more. It is also known to have excellent international links with other institutions. This makes it a great pick for those who want to take a study abroad option.
#7 Keele University
Keele University is located in North Staffordshire. It was opened in the post-war period by one of the professors at Oxford University. He was in favour of a “people’s university” that was more accessible to the working class.
It’s original conception was based on the liberal arts colleges of the US. It is located within 625 acres of rural land and is home to a 19th-century mansion.
The campus hosts many other old buildings such as a clock house. Most of the accommodation for this university is on campus, really allowing you to immerse yourself into the university lifestyle.
Keele University is located near the quaint old village of Keele. It is also only an hour away from both Birmingham and Manchester by train.
This one is a great option is you want to immerse yourself in campus life, due to the on-site accommodation and rural land surrounding it. However, if you want to get back to the real world, these great northern and midlands cities are only a short ride away.
This university has a great reputation, and almost any course you can imagine on offer. This is including but not limited to philosophy, medicine, midwifery, and astrophysics, as well as various arts, humanities, science and media courses.
#6 University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in Scotland. It is one of the four universities that developed alongside the Scottish Enlightenment.
It’s main campus is Gilmorehill. This has to be one of the most breathtaking buildings on this whole list. It is certainly one of the most Dark Academia aesthetic buildings.
Gilmorehill is a building that looks like it came straight out of a classic novel, with stunning gothic architecture, including turrets and a bell tower. Part castle, part stately home, this building in the centre of Glasgow is about as Dark Academia as you can imagine.
The university is also home to many other historic buildings. These are including the students union, and a grand old chapel open for students to visit.
The university buildings are spread throughout the town, meaning your student experience will be interlinked with the Glaswegian lifestyle.
An iconic Scottish city with its own unique culture, you will get the benefits of a historic university alongside the benefits of a large metropolitan city – from arts to music to food.
There are also green spaces for you to explore, including a lovely botanic garden.
The University of Glasgow has many course subjects on offer including arts, medicine, social sciences, and engineering – alongside many more. It even has some extra unique courses found nowhere else in the UK. For a great historic university smack bang in the centre of a modern Scottish city, this is the choice for you.
Check out my post on Glasgow to find out more about the city here.
#5 University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a great option for anyone wanting that Dark Academia aesthetic. Known to be the 6th oldest university in the English-speaking world, it was opened in the 16th century.
Many of its university buildings are ancient, immersing its students in history. This includes its halls of residence.
While not all of its accommodation is historical, St Leonards Hall and Salisbury Green are both stunning 19th-century buildings that some students call home at this dark academia university.
Outside of the university itself, the city of Edinburgh is known to many as the most Dark Academia city in the world. It is filled to the brim with ancient buildings, fascinating history, ghost stories, and a grand castle. There are also tons of dark academia stores for you to explore around the town.
Simply living in this city is enough to feel the aesthetic come to life. When it comes to Dark Academia universities in the UK, this one is one of the best.
On top of all that, this university is regarded as one of the most prestigious in the UK. It is comprised of three schools; the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science and Engineering. There are lots of courses to suit many types of students here at this great historic university.
Go and find out more about historic Edinburgh with my ultimate guide.
#4 Durham University
Durham University is the third oldest university in the UK after Oxford and Cambridge and is also one of the most prestigious among the list of dark academia schools.
It is located within many historic buildings throughout the city of Durham. These include the 11 century Durham Castle, as well as an 11th-century Norman Chapel, Palace Green, Cosin’s Library, as well as a 1920s Art Deco Chapel.
Overall Durham University is home to 63 listed buildings. If you want history, then you’ve got it.
One of the unique things about Durham University is its colleges. These work like a bit like houses.
You live at your college in your first year and use the common room, have formals, and you can also compete in your college’s sports team against other colleges.
Colleges have varying ethos and values. Some of the buildings may be more to your taste than others, so make sure to research these before applying.
Durham is a supplier of many different university degrees, however, they all have a high level of prestige. A degree from Durham is one of the most highly respected, and some of its most popular include law, physics, geography, psychology and economics.
Find out more about Durham with my guide to the city.
#3 University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is best known for being the place where Prince William met his wife, Kate Middleton, while they were both students here.
However, there is so much more to this university than its royal history.
The town culture is heavily based around the university. There are uni buildings scattered throughout the small seaside town making it feel like one big campus.
Alongside being one of the oldest universities in the UK, buildings such as the old Cathedral ruins and the Castle, as well as the cobbled streets, add to the history of the town.
There is also plenty of opportunity to stay in old historic halls in this university, including Prince Williams’s own St Salvator’s Quad.
One of the most special things about this university is its unique university traditions. These include not stepping on a certain cobblestone to avoid a curse, walking along the stone pier in red gowns at the start of term, taking a dip in the sea before exams for good luck and Raisin Weekend – a weekend of partying finishing in a big foam fight in the university quad. The traditions are sure to make this one of the most fun universities in the UK.
These, along with the stories of ghosts and rebellions that haunt the town, make you feel connected to the town’s history in a rare and precious way.
This university is often named among the top 3 in the UK, usually placing just after Oxford and Cambridge. It offers a range of courses including languages, history, English, science and classics.
If you want to get away from it all to a historic university in a small seaside town with tons of tradition, academic heritage and history, then this is the one for you.
Read my post on St Andrews to find out why it’s one of my favourite places in the entire UK
#2 University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is the third oldest university in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Previous alumni include Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Lord Byron, Alan Turing and John Milton.
Due to the age of the university, the majority of the university buildings are ancient, including student accommodation.
This is another university that uses the college system, so you may find yourself living in a grand old college dorm room with an ancient common room, dining hall and library. Some do fit the aesthetic more than others, so make sure to do some research into the colleges, as with any of the other dark academia schools on the list.
The town itself is fairly quiet compared to some of the universities in bigger cities on the list, and very picturesque.
It is home to museums, art galleries, and lots of old and traditional shops. There is a river running through the city, and the popular university sport of punting takes place here regularly. This is a must-do Dark Academia activity, so make sure to give it a go if you attend.
Cambridge is also only 45 minutes on the train from London, making the UK’s capital an easy visit. All this is more than enough to put it on the top end of the list of Dark Academia universities in the UK.
Cambridge offers a wide range of top-quality degrees, specialising in more traditional subjects, including the arts.
Some colleges also have societies that are very highly respected so make sure to look into these too if you want to take part in things like orchestra, drama or sports.
If you want the quintessential traditional uni experience, in a quieter city, with a top-class degree, definitely head to Cambridge.
Read my post on Cambridge to find out more about this iconic UK city.
#1 University of Oxford
Just inching its way into the top spot, is the University of Oxford. There is evidence that this university is the oldest in the English-speaking world. Oxford Academia is known the world over for its high standards.
There are almost too many famous alumni to name, however it is known for having produced many UK prime ministers and other politicians, as well as literary figures such as C.S.Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkein, Oscar Wilde, Percy Bysshe Shelley, A.E.Houseman and Philip Larkin. It’s academic heritage is off the charts.
Of course, the university buildings are extremely historical, some of them being iconic British landmarks such as the famous Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Library.
The university also has a college system with some of the grandest college buildings in the world, especially known for their grand dining halls.
It is also known for having a number of unique university traditions, such as walking backwards through Fellows Quad at 2am in academic dress, or holding a Tortoise Race – a tradition that started in the 1920s.
Find out more about Oxford’s literary history with my Self Guided C.S.Lewis Walking Tour of Oxford.
Oxford itself is quite a bustling city, with lots going on. Many are drawn to the city for the Oxford aesthetic alone. From cultural events to the arts to its museums, to its famous punting experiences up the river, there is plenty to keep you busy in Oxford town.
The town itself is filled with even more historic and picturesque buildings, adding to the Oxford aesthetic. There are tons of dark academia stores throughout the town, from bookshops to tearooms. Even its pubs are known for being historically and culturally significant!
It is also a short 50-minute train ride to London, making it an easy commute to the capital.
If you want the ultimate historical university experience in a bustling, cultural, historical town with plenty of Oxford academia prestige and strange traditions to boot, then Oxford has to be the number one spot amongst Dark Academia Universities in the UK.
Find out even more about this fantastic city with my ultimate guide.
Check out this Dark Academia Oxford Vlog
If you want even more of an insight into the Dark Academia vibes in Oxford, then you need to check out Beth Bartholomew’s vlog.
She explores the Dark Academia side of the city, whilst reading the novel Babel, which is set in the city itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK universities are Dark Academia?
All of the universities above would definitely fit in with the Dark Academia aesthetic. Oxbridge, Durham and Edinburgh definitely fit the aesthetic best. Other dark academia universities besides the ones in this article to check out would be York, Chester, Cardiff, Aberdeen and Trinity St Davids.
What majors are Dark Academia?
Dark Academia majors can be pretty much anything – they are academic studies, after all! However, some of the most popular Dark Academia majors include English Literature, Philosophy, History, Astronomy, Classics and Botany. All the Dark Academia universities on this list include many of these Dark Academia majors.
How do you become Dark Academia?
Following the Dark Academia aesthetic usually consists of wearing clothes and engaging in behaviours that are considered to have a Dark Academia vibe. This could include wearing vintage clothes such as tweed jackets or smart slacks. It can also involve getting involved in rigorous academic study, alongside hobbies such as reading classic literature or playing classical music.
What is the most Dark Academia city?
There are a few in the Uk that can qualify due to their aesthetic dark academia buildings, but the place most people think of as the most Dark Academia city in the UK is Edinburgh.
What are the hobbies of Dark Academia?
Dark Academia hobbies include reading classic novels, writing letters, poetry and essays, playing piano, calligraphy, learning languages, and collecting vintage fashion. There are many other Dark Academia hobbies, and Dark Academia universities will often have societies, so you can explore these hobbies even further.
Conclusion
Finding a university that has a vibe you love can be a big part of having an enriching experience. The most important thing is to go for the best course with content that you’re interested in studying, but hopefully, this list can help you narrow down your choices to somewhere you will love living for three years too.
From a Prince’s old dormitory to the Oxford University aesthetic, there is something for every kind of Dark Academic in all kinds of Dark Academia cities on this list.
If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to leave a comment. There are definitely some more universities I could make a part 2 about so let me know if you’d like me to write it!
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
