91 best universities in the United Kingdom in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.
University of Cambridge
Average rank: #3
No. 1University of Cambridge
World-leading public university, excellence in research and teaching in Oxford.
No. 2University of Oxford
World-leading university of excellence in research and teaching in Oxford.
No. 3Imperial College London
Public UK university of excellence in science, technology, medicine, and management.
No. 4University College London
Public university of excellence, leader in research and teaching in London.
No. 5The University of Manchester
Public UK university, Russell Group member, leader in research and innovation.
No. 6King's College London
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for medicine and humanities.
No. 7University of Bristol
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 8University of Warwick
Public UK university, Russell Group member, leader in research and innovation.
No. 9University of Sheffield
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for engineering and research.
No. 10The London School of Economics and Political Science
Public UK university, global leader in social sciences and economics.
No. 11University of Birmingham
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for research and innovation.
No. 12University of Leeds
Public UK university, Russell Group member, among the UK's largest.
No. 13University of Southampton
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 14University of Nottingham
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 15Queen Mary University of London
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for medicine and sciences.
No. 16University of Liverpool
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for research.
No. 17University of York
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for interdisciplinary research.
No. 18University of Exeter
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research-reputed.
No. 19Durham University
Public UK university, Russell Group member, historic and prestigious.
No. 20University of Sussex
Public UK university renowned for research and innovation.
No. 21Newcastle University
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for research.
No. 22University of Leicester
Public UK research university, strong in medicine and humanities.
No. 23Lancaster University
Public UK university, N8 Group member, renowned for research.
No. 24Queen's University Belfast
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.