109 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. 5University of Edinburgh
Public UK university, Russell Group member, among the oldest and most prestigious.
No. 6The University of Manchester
Public UK university, Russell Group member, leader in research and innovation.
No. 7King's College London
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for medicine and humanities.
No. 8University of St Andrews
Public UK university, Scotland’s oldest, Russell Group member.
No. 9University of Bristol
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 10University of Warwick
Public UK university, Russell Group member, leader in research and innovation.
No. 11University of Glasgow
Public Scottish UK university, Russell Group member, among the oldest.
No. 12University of Sheffield
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for engineering and research.
No. 13The London School of Economics and Political Science
Public UK university, global leader in social sciences and economics.
No. 14University of Birmingham
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for research and innovation.
No. 15University of Leeds
Public UK university, Russell Group member, among the UK's largest.
No. 16University of Southampton
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 17University of Nottingham
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research leader.
No. 18Queen Mary University of London
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for medicine and sciences.
No. 19University of Liverpool
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for research.
No. 20University of York
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for interdisciplinary research.
No. 21University of Exeter
Public UK university, Russell Group member, research-reputed.
No. 22University of Aberdeen
Public UK university, ancient and prestigious, Russell Group member.
No. 23Durham University
Public UK university, Russell Group member, historic and prestigious.
No. 24Cardiff University
Public Welsh university, Russell Group member, strong in research.