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. 25University of Bath
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for engineering and sciences.
No. 26London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Public university specializing in global health and tropical medicine.
No. 27University of Reading
Public UK university renowned for agriculture, sciences, and arts.
No. 28University of East Anglia
Public UK university, Group of Eight member, research-reputed.
No. 29University of Surrey
Public UK university renowned for engineering, health, and management.
No. 30SOAS University of London
Public UK university specializing in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern studies.
No. 31Loughborough University
Public UK university renowned for engineering and sports.
No. 32University of Essex
Public UK university, renowned for social sciences, law, and cultural studies.
No. 33Brunel University London
Public UK university, renowned for engineering, design, and innovation.
No. 34University of Kent
Founded in 1965 in Canterbury, the University of Kent is a public UK institution renowned for its academic excellence and strong international focus.
No. 35Goldsmiths, University of London
Public UK university of reference in arts, humanities, and creativity.
No. 36Cranfield University
Public UK university, global leader in engineering, technology, and management.
No. 37The Open University
Public UK pioneer in distance learning.
No. 38Aston University
Public UK university, renowned for business, engineering, and health.
No. 39City, University of London
Public London university specializing in business, law, and journalism.
No. 40Bournemouth University
Coastal university renowned for tourism, management, and media.
No. 41University of Plymouth
Public UK university, modern and focused on employability and sustainability.
No. 42Royal Holloway, University of London
Public UK university, Russell Group member, renowned for arts and humanities.
No. 43Oxford Brookes University
Public UK university, modern and employability-focused.
No. 44Birkbeck, University of London
Public UK university specializing in evening teaching and research.
No. 45Nottingham Trent University
Modern university strong in engineering, architecture, and arts.
No. 46University of Hull
Public UK university renowned for arts, humanities, and research.
No. 47Coventry University
Public UK university, modern and employability-focused.
No. 48Manchester Metropolitan University
Urban university specializing in arts, media, and management.