UK is home to some of the wealthiest institutes of higher education in the world. Below is 2010 - 2011 list of the richest universities in the UK in terms of endowment.

1. Cambridge University – £4.1 billion

Cambridge University tops the list of the richest universities in the UK with an endowment of £4.1 billion. This is the UK’s second oldest university and the fourth oldest in the world. The university is ranked academically as one of the top five universities in the world.

2. University of Oxford – £3.6 billion

Oxford University is located in Oxford and is one of the richest British universities, with an endowment of £3.6 billion. As the third oldest surviving university in the world, Oxford is widely regarded as being one of the leading academic institutions in the world.

3. University of Warwick – £350.18 million

University of Warwick is next on the list of richest UK universities with an endowment of £350.18 million. Warwick is a campus university located on the outskirts of Coventry. It was established in 1965 as part of a government initiative aimed at the expansion of access to higher education.

4. Imperial College London – £261.5 million

Imperial College London is one of the richest universities in the UK with an endowment of £261.5 million. This British institution of higher learning specialises on science, engineering, business and medicine. Imperial College London is also a member of the Russell Group of Universities.

5. University of Edinburgh – £185 million

University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and is one of the richest UK universities with an endowment of £185 million. This institution is internationally recognised as a leading centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland.

6. University of Manchester – £138m

University of Manchester is a “red brick” civic university found in Manchester. This institution is one of the richest in the UK with an endowment of £138m. Founded in 2004, University of Manchester is also a member of the N8 Group for research collaboration. This institution offers students 500 academic programs and boasts of a staff of over ten thousand members. In addition to being one of the richest universities, Manchester also has one of the biggest student populations.

7. University of Glasgow – £121 million

As the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world, the University of Glasgow was founded in 1451. Glasgow University is also one of the richest universities in the UK with an endowment of £121 million.

8. University of Central Lancashire – £105.1 million

With an endowment of £105.1 million, the University of Central Lancashire or UCLan, is one of the richest universities in the UK. Founded in 1828, this institution of higher learning is located in Preston, Lancashire. UCLan has previously been ranked as the best modern university in North West England and is also one of the UK universities with the biggest student populations.

9. University of Birmingham – £71.1 million

With an endowment of £71.1 million, the University of Birmingham makes it on the list of the richest UK universities. This institution is another red brick university located in the city of Birmingham and was founded in 1900.

10. Durham University – £61.3M

Durham University is one of the richest UK universities with an endowment of £61.3M. Founded in 1832, Durham University is the third oldest institute of education in England. This is a collegiate university which provides centralised lectures to students and tends to attract a largely middle and higher class student body. In 2005, the University of Durham was named the Sunday Times University of the Year.