UK University Rankings & Best Universities 2025

How many universities are there in the UK? With over 130 institutions, choosing the right one can be challenging. Our UK University Rankings 2025 bring together the most authoritative league tables, including The Times & Sunday Times, Guardian, Times Higher Education, and Complete University Guide rankings, to help you compare the top universities in the UK.

Finding the best university depends on various factors, such as student satisfaction, graduate prospects, tuition fees, and entry standards. This ranking allows you to explore universities based on key criteria and see how they perform across different metrics.

Whether you are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate program, knowing where each university stands in the rankings can help you make an informed choice. Use this table to discover the leading universities in the UK and find the perfect institution for your future studies.

Compare the Best UK Universities 2025 Across 4 Major Rankings

University	The Times	Guardian	Complete	THE
London School of Economics and Political Science	1 +3	4	3	7
University of St Andrews	2 -1	2 -1	4	24
University of Oxford	3 -1	1 +1	2	1
University of Cambridge	4 -1	3	1	2
Durham University	5 +2	6 +1	7	22
Imperial College London	6 -1	5	5	3
University College London (UCL)	7 -1	9 -1	9	4
University of Bath	8 N/A	7 -1	8	32
University of Warwick	9 N/A	8 +1	10	13
Loughborough University	10 N/A	10	6	34
University of Bristol	11 +5	16 +1	16	9
Lancaster University	12 +2	11	10	21
University of Exeter	13 -2	18	14	22
University of Sheffield	14 +4	20 +1	18	12
University of Aberdeen	15 +4	12	41	26
University of Glasgow	16 -4	14 -1	28	10
University of Edinburgh	17 -4	15 -1	15	5
University of York	17 -2	25 -6	17	18
University of Southampton	19 -2	22 -2	20	14
University of Strathclyde	20 N/A	17 -1	32	39
University of Surrey	21 N/A	19 +2	12	26
University of Birmingham	22 N/A	36 +1	13	11
University of Liverpool	23 +6	27 +9	19	20
King’s College London	24 +3	28 -5	24	6
University of Reading	24 +10	35 +9	35	26
Queen’s University Belfast	26 +5	43 +7	25	26
University of Leicester	27 +7	34 +14	36	25
University of Manchester	27 -4	31 -7	22	8
University of Leeds	29 -5	37 -10	23	15
Newcastle University	30 +7	63 +4	26	19
University of Nottingham	30 +2	62 -3	30	16
Cardiff University	32 -7	46 -17	27	26
University of East Anglia	33 -7	45 -12	21	32
Royal Holloway, University of London	34 -5	52 -5	38	45
Aston University	35 +3	21 +4	39	N/A
University of Dundee	36 -3	52 +14	51	34
Swansea University	37 +4	29 -4	37	34
University of Sussex	38 +10	68 -3	47	26
Queen Mary, University of London	39 +7	74 -1	50	17
University of Kent	40 +12	60 -4	52	39
Nottingham Trent University	42 +1	49 -7	45	64
Northumbria University	43 +6	38	34	45
Glasgow Caledonian University	44 +6	46 -6	75	81
Ulster University	45 -5	24 +4	42	64
Manchester Metropolitan University	46 +13	57 +2	56	64
University of Essex	46 +10	23 +7	30	39
Aberystwyth University	48 -9	66 -21	42	64
City, University of London	49 +17	38 +23	39	39
Oxford Brookes University	50 +11	38 +13	46	64
Heriot-Watt University	51 +13	66 +19	42	45
St Mary’s University, Twickenham	52 -7	75 -1	72	N/A
Harper Adams University	53 -17	— N/A	33	N/A
Coventry University	54 +4	42 +4	67	64
University of Portsmouth	55 +10	41 +2	49	45
University of Lincoln	56 -1	50 -9	48	64
Keele University	57 +11	72 +2	61	54
University of West London	57 -10	30 +2	58	94
Edinburgh Napier University	59 +1	96 -4	86	54
University of Hull	60 +7	75 +14	73	45
Robert Gordon University	61 +1	95 +3	91	81
University of Chichester	62 -9	26 +12	79	N/A
University of Stirling	63 -10	94 -33	53	45
Bangor University	64 -20	73 -19	68	45
Cardiff Metropolitan University	66 +12	82 +18	62	94
Liverpool John Moores University	66 +4	54 +3	81	64
St George’s, University of London	69 +10	— N/A	69	34
Plymouth of University	70 +13	84 -15	65	54
University of Brighton	71 +16	86 -16	70	64
University of Salford	72 +19	83 +5	73	81
Falmouth University	73 -22	92 -16	64	N/A
Plymouth Marjon University	75 +8	— N/A	115	N/A
Bath Spa University	76 -2	108 -14	104	N/A
University of Derby	77 +5	54 +1	95	64
University of Huddersfield	78 -2	68 +11	65	54
Goldsmiths, University of London	80 +16	109 +2	60	54
Norwich University of the Arts	81 -6	— N/A	82	N/A
Bournemouth University	82 -1	105 -6	55	45
University of Hertfordshire	83 +12	75 +12	84	64
Edge Hill University	84 -15	44 -9	54	94
Sheffield Hallam University	84 +1	75 +8	63	81
Bishop Grosseteste University	86 +3	— N/A	122	N/A
University for the Creative Arts	87 -14	89 -18	85	N/A
Leeds Beckett University	88 +13	102 +1	75	81
University of Chester	89 +11	46 +7	56	107
Birmingham Newman University	90 +35	71 +42	124	N/A
University of Gloucestershire	90 +22	100 +4	88	94
Leeds Arts University	92 -3	— N/A	111	N/A
Liverpool Hope University	94 -6	86 -4	83	N/A
University of South Wales	94 +3	51 +21	95	100
University of Central Lancashire	96 +15	104 +2	87	81
Kingston University	97 +1	60 -2	88	81
Solent University	98 +11	86 +7	102	N/A
University of Worcester	99 +4	112 -5	88	100
London South Bank University	100 +16	59 +22	114	64
University of Staffordshire	101 -8	58 +5	97	100
University of Greenwich	102 +3	117 -1	110	54
University of Winchester	103 -18	115 -6	N/A	100
Teesside University	104 -2	68 +12	100	81
Queen Margaret University	105 -42	91 -28	97	N/A
University of Sunderland	105 -12	33 +16	75	100
Birmingham City University	107 +3	102 -7	92	81
Brunel University of London	107 +12	120 +1	79	39
Canterbury Christ Church University	109 +5	107 +13	109	100
University of Bradford	111 -3	81 +9	106	54
Leeds Trinity University	112 -20	105 -8	116	N/A
De Montfort University	113 +6	118 -1	105	64
University of Buckingham	114 -58	— N/A	126	N/A
Wrexham University	115 +7	111 -2	130	N/A
Hartpury University	116 -4	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Middlesex University	117 +4	113 +2	113	54
University of Roehampton	118 -19	110 +1	93	81
University of Bolton	119 -13	32 -2	N/A	N/A
University of Westminster	120 +3	119 -2	118	81
University of the West of Scotland	121 +5	121 -2	128	64
Buckinghamshire New University	122 +5	65 +12	106	N/A
University of Wolverhampton	123 -5	85 +16	111	81
University of Suffolk	124 -18	99 -31	58	N/A
The University of Northampton	125 +3	113 -6	120	100
University of East London	126 +5	— N/A	125	94
London Metropolitan University	127 -3	93 -8	127	64
University of Cumbria	128 +1	116 -2	123	N/A
University of Bedfordshire	129 +1	122	129	94
Anglia Ruskin University	130 -15	98 +4	121	54
Royal Agricultural University	131 -27	— N/A	119	N/A
Birkbeck, University of London	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	34
Cranfield University	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Open University	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	81
Ravensbourne University London	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Regent’s University London	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Richmond, The American International University in London	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal Academy of Music	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal College of Art	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal College of Music	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal Northern College of Music	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
Royal Veterinary College	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)	— N/A	90 -38	71	45
The University of Law	— N/A	— N/A	N/A	N/A

*Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only. All data is sourced from publicly available materials, and we do not guarantee its absolute accuracy or up-to-date status. For official and verified information, please refer to the official websites of universities and ranking organizations.

UK University Rankings 2025: A Guide to Choosing the Best University

When choosing a university in the UK, rankings play a crucial role in decision-making. Several respected organizations compile rankings based on different criteria, giving students multiple perspectives. The four key rankings The Times & Sunday Times, The Guardian, Times Higher Education (THE), and The Complete University Guide each focus on distinct factors.

The Times & Sunday Times University Guide

One of the most influential UK rankings, this guide evaluates universities based on:

Teaching quality
Student experience
Research output
Entry requirements
Graduate prospects

This ranking provides a well-rounded view of a university’s overall performance, making it a reliable choice for prospective students in 2025.

The Guardian University Guide

Unlike other rankings, The Guardian prioritizes student satisfaction and teaching quality rather than research. Key factors include:

Student-to-staff ratio
Teaching resources
Feedback and assessment quality
Career prospects

This ranking is particularly useful for students looking for a hands-on learning experience rather than a research-focused institution.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

THE rankings are globally recognized for assessing universities on an international scale. They use a research-driven methodology, including:

Teaching environment
Research impact (citations)
Industry connections
International outlook

If you’re considering studying abroad or attending a globally recognized institution, THE rankings provide a strong reference point in 2025.

The Complete University Guide

Designed specifically for UK students, this ranking focuses on:

Entry requirements
Student satisfaction
Research quality
Graduate employment rates

It also offers subject-specific rankings, helping students find the best universities for their chosen fields.

Which University Ranking Should You Trust in 2025?

Each ranking has its strengths, so students should consider multiple sources before making a decision. While The Times & Sunday Times offers a balanced overview, The Guardian prioritizes teaching experience, and THE provides a global perspective. Comparing UK university rankings 2025 can help you choose a university that best fits your academic and career goals.

However, rankings should not be the only factor in your decision. Choosing the right university is a life-changing decision that can influence your career prospects, personal growth, and overall experience. Key factors to consider include the quality of teaching, industry connections, campus facilities, student satisfaction, and career support services. The reputation of the university matters, but so does finding a course that aligns with your interests, strengths, and future ambitions.

Think about the location—do you prefer a vibrant city like London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, or a quieter town with a strong academic focus? Research internship opportunities, as gaining real-world experience can significantly enhance your employability. Tuition fees, living costs, and available scholarships should also be taken into account.

A well-chosen university and degree can open doors to global career opportunities, strong professional networks, and lifelong personal development. Instead of relying solely on rankings, visit open days, talk to current students, and explore graduate employment rates to make an informed choice. Your university years will shape your future—choose wisely.