Bored of hearing about world rankings and acceptance rates, now you find your university on the things that REALLY matter. From how much it is to grab a pint to how safe (or dangerous) your uni’s city is, here’s the ultimate ALTERNATIVE university league table to make your decision.

Unifresher’s alternative uni league table is a fresh look at universities in the UK, aside from standard measurements of academic output, awards and entry requirements. We’re not saying these things aren’t important, but so is the quality of life you live while studying. That’s why we’ve put together this different kind of league, which takes statistics and figures from sources like Numbeo, Uber and People and Planet to rank 94 UK universities on their quality of life.

How to use the table

Use the table to find out which university came out on top (by total score) and which are…not quite as good.

Scroll across the table to see all the different factors we ranked each university for,ย  or use the arrows at the top of each column to find out which university is the best for each variable, such as sustainability, crime rate, social life or the cost of a McMeal!

You can also search for a particular university in the navigation bar to find where your uni ranks compared to others. Enjoy!

Alternative University League Table

RankUniversityalternative university league tablePint**price of a pintSocial Lifebest universities for social lifeSustainabilityuniversities with best sustainability scoreMcMeal*Crime Ratealternative university league tablePrice of an Uberprice of an uber per universityCinema Ticketcinema ticket priceTotal Score
1Bangor Universityยฃ3.853.9370.30%ยฃ5.3024.66ยฃ11.00ยฃ10.00539
2Cardiff Metropolitan Universityยฃ4.004.4482.30%ยฃ6.9537.73ยฃ13.00ยฃ6.00464
3Newcastle Universityยฃ3.704.5464.40%ยฃ6.5038.4ยฃ15.00ยฃ12.00455
4University of Plymouthยฃ3.504.3361.80%ยฃ5.5040.1ยฃ19.00ยฃ10.00454
5Northumbria University, Newcastleยฃ3.704.5666.80%ยฃ6.5038.4ยฃ20.00ยฃ10.00432
6Swansea Universityยฃ4.004.3868.40%ยฃ7.5035.46ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00431
7University of Portsmouthยฃ4.504.3348.60%ยฃ5.8945.44ยฃ12.00ยฃ7.50427
8Aberystwyth Universityยฃ3.604.1031.00%ยฃ6.2532.44ยฃ12.00ยฃ12.25423
9Cardiff Universityยฃ4.004.5749.40%ยฃ6.9537.73ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.00415
10University of Leedsยฃ4.304.5849.70%ยฃ7.0043.34ยฃ11.00ยฃ10.00413
11University of Gloucestershireยฃ4.503.9434.50%ยฃ5.5037.05ยฃ7.00ยฃ12.50406
12Nottingham Trent Universityยฃ4.004.5969.80%ยฃ6.0050.5ยฃ12.00ยฃ10.00404
13University of Derbyยฃ3.003.8247.30%ยฃ6.0043.97ยฃ11.00ยฃ6.00402
14University of Exeterยฃ4.254.2772.20%ยฃ6.9534.55ยฃ16.00ยฃ7.50401
15University of Readingยฃ4.004.2375.80%ยฃ6.0043.74ยฃ22.00ยฃ7.95400
16University of Bristolยฃ4.674.4366.10%ยฃ6.5041.72ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.00398
17Bristol, University of the West of ...ยฃ4.674.2564.10%ยฃ6.5041.72ยฃ14.00ยฃ10.00388
18Leeds Beckett Universityยฃ4.304.4147.20%ยฃ7.0043.34ยฃ12.00ยฃ12.00383
19Durham Universityยฃ3.703.9556.00%ยฃ6.5023.31ยฃ20.00ยฃ10.00381
20University of Yorkยฃ5.504.3544.10%ยฃ6.0027.64ยฃ10.00ยฃ10.00378
21Bournemouth Universityยฃ4.004.4064.70%ยฃ6.0041.09ยฃ16.00ยฃ6.00375
22University of Worcesterยฃ4.003.9666.90%ยฃ6.2540.74ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.00371
23Brunel University Londonยฃ4.004.0056.10%ยฃ6.0054.17ยฃ12.00ยฃ10.00368
24University of Central Lancashireยฃ3.854.0454.20%ยฃ5.3767.64ยฃ10.00ยฃ9.50366
25University of Sheffieldยฃ4.004.6341.70%ยฃ6.5042.48ยฃ11.00ยฃ10.00364
26University of Sunderlandยฃ3.503.724.80%ยฃ5.9946.1ยฃ12.00ยฃ15.00363
27University of Liverpoolยฃ4.384.6950.90%ยฃ6.0047.89ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00363
28Keele Universityยฃ3.704.0250.50%ยฃ6.5038.4ยฃ19.00ยฃ10.00359
29University of Boltonยฃ3.103.9210.50%ยฃ5.3763.71ยฃ10.00ยฃ7.00358
30University of Nottinghamยฃ4.004.4436.10%ยฃ6.0050.5ยฃ9.00ยฃ8.00356
31University of Chesterยฃ3.954.0642.50%ยฃ6.5020.97ยฃ12.00ยฃ9.00356
32Edinburgh Napier Universityยฃ5.004.1456.10%ยฃ6.5031.37ยฃ11.00ยฃ10.00356
33Manchester Metropolitan Universityยฃ4.654.3079.90%ยฃ6.7955.14ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00354
34Liverpool John Moores Universityยฃ4.384.4455.10%ยฃ6.0047.89ยฃ14.00ยฃ8.00352
35University of Salfordยฃ3.404.0470.60%ยฃ6.0055.14ยฃ16.00ยฃ12.00344
36University of East Anglia UEAยฃ5.004.1247.70%ยฃ6.5026.12ยฃ18.00ยฃ12.50339
37Sheffield Hallam Universityยฃ4.004.3652.40%ยฃ6.5042.48ยฃ15.00ยฃ6.50338
38York St John Universityยฃ5.504.3639.00%ยฃ6.0027.64ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00336
39Leeds Art Universityยฃ4.304.1320.60%ยฃ7.0043.34ยฃ10.00ยฃ10.00329
40Birmingham City Universityยฃ4.004.1462.00%ยฃ6.0062.58ยฃ12.00ยฃ10.00329
41De Montfort Universityยฃ4.004.1064.70%ยฃ7.0046.41ยฃ12.00ยฃ6.50325
42Falmouth Universityยฃ4.003.7833.40%ยฃ6.5016.18ยฃ14.00ยฃ10.00324
43University of Huddersfieldยฃ4.003.9348.50%ยฃ6.5060.44ยฃ11.00ยฃ8.00316
44Lancaster Universityยฃ4.503.8446.10%ยฃ9.0047.32ยฃ9.00ยฃ9.50313
45Aston University, Birminghamยฃ4.004.3559.40%ยฃ6.0062.58ยฃ16.00ยฃ10.00311
46University of Strathclydeยฃ4.004.2335.30%ยฃ6.0045.79ยฃ13.00ยฃ12.50310
47University of Glasgowยฃ4.004.4042.80%ยฃ6.0045.79ยฃ18.00ยฃ8.25309
48University of Manchesterยฃ4.654.3247.80%ยฃ6.7955.14ยฃ14.00ยฃ8.50309
49Arts University Bournemouthยฃ4.003.7644.10%ยฃ6.0041.09ยฃ12.00ยฃ10.00304
50University of Surreyยฃ4.004.0532.10%ยฃ6.0026.52ยฃ16.00ยฃ10.00301
51Ulster Universityยฃ5.204.2243.60%ยฃ6.5045.21ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.00301
52Bath Spa Universityยฃ4.654.0364.80%ยฃ6.5026.38ยฃ16.00ยฃ8.00301
53Glasgow Caledonian Universityยฃ4.003.8449.30%ยฃ6.0045.79ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00300
54The University of Edinburghยฃ5.004.3342.20%ยฃ6.5031.37ยฃ15.00ยฃ12.50299
55Staffordshire Universityยฃ3.503.7937.20%ยฃ6.0047.01ยฃ13.00ยฃ9.00297
56University of Lincolnยฃ4.504.2135.40%ยฃ7.5026.62ยฃ9.00ยฃ9.00296
57Solent University (Southampton)ยฃ4.004.3542.80%ยฃ6.0051.93ยฃ18.00ยฃ10.00290
58University of St Andrewsยฃ3.753.7437.90%ยฃ7.0017.03ยฃ29.00ยฃ8.00287
59Anglia Ruskin Universityยฃ5.004.2144.60%ยฃ6.0028.69ยฃ18.00ยฃ8.00287
60University of Oxfordยฃ5.004.1554.10%ยฃ7.0034.75ยฃ17.00ยฃ10.00283
61University of Leicesterยฃ4.004.1243.30%ยฃ7.0046.41ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00279
62Oxford Brookes Universityยฃ5.004.0157.00%ยฃ7.0034.75ยฃ15.00ยฃ8.00279
63Queen's University Belfastยฃ5.204.1536.40%ยฃ6.5045.21ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.00278
64Edge Hill Universityยฃ4.384.0321.20%ยฃ6.0047.89ยฃ11.00ยฃ12.00276
65University of Sussexยฃ5.104.4638.60%ยฃ6.0038.05ยฃ18.00ยฃ9.00276
66Coventry Universityยฃ3.503.7862.60%ยฃ6.0062.73ยฃ15.00ยฃ8.00276
67Liverpool Hope Universityยฃ4.384.1831.30%ยฃ6.0047.89ยฃ14.00ยฃ10.00273
68University of Warwickยฃ3.503.7449.20%ยฃ6.0052.45ยฃ15.00ยฃ12.00272
69University of Brightonยฃ5.104.2243.60%ยฃ6.0038.05ยฃ17.00ยฃ9.00271
70University of Southamptonยฃ4.004.1028.90%ยฃ6.0051.93ยฃ13.00ยฃ9.50269
71Loughborough Universityยฃ4.004.2342.70%ยฃ7.0046.41ยฃ16.00ยฃ13.50263
72Newman University, Birminghamยฃ4.004.0421.50%ยฃ6.0062.58ยฃ11.00ยฃ9.00262
73University of Kentยฃ5.004.0159.90%ยฃ6.0032.75ยฃ20.00ยฃ10.00262
74University of Birminghamยฃ4.004.4115.40%ยฃ6.0062.58ยฃ15.00ยฃ10.50260
75University of Bathยฃ4.653.9832.90%ยฃ6.5026.38ยฃ13.00ยฃ10.00252
76University of Essexยฃ3.674.0258.90%ยฃ8.0046.45ยฃ19.00ยฃ12.50251
77University College Birminghamยฃ4.004.076.90%ยฃ6.0062.58ยฃ12.00ยฃ8.00250
78University of Hertfordshireยฃ2.003.7242.50%ยฃ8.0023.39ยฃ19.00ยฃ9.00246
79Middlesex Universityยฃ3.004.0246.40%ยฃ7.5073.24ยฃ15.00ยฃ15.00230
80University of Cambridgeยฃ5.003.7840.70%ยฃ6.0028.69ยฃ19.00ยฃ12.00213
81Kingston Universityยฃ5.503.8043.00%ยฃ6.0025.19ยฃ24.00ยฃ7.00210
82University of Greenwichยฃ6.003.8470.70%ยฃ7.5032.75ยฃ22.00ยฃ12.00198
83King's College London, University o...ยฃ6.004.2769.70%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ22.00ยฃ12.00187
84UCL (University College London)ยฃ6.004.1871.80%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ22.00ยฃ9.25182
85Queen Mary University of Londonยฃ6.004.0056.90%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ17.00ยฃ10.50159
86St Mary's University, Twickenhamยฃ6.003.7735.10%ยฃ7.5025.88ยฃ18.00ยฃ15.00151
87University of Chichesterยฃ5.003.6635.50%ยฃ6.0083.97ยฃ19.00ยฃ9.00140
88SOAS University of Londonยฃ6.003.9944.40%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ25.00ยฃ12.00108
89University of Westminster, Londonยฃ6.003.9642.30%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ21.00ยฃ12.0099
90London Metropolitan Universityยฃ6.003.8242.00%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ19.00ยฃ12.0090
91University of Roehamptonยฃ6.003.9713.60%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ19.00ยฃ15.0077
92Royal Holloway, University of Londo...ยฃ6.003.7533.60%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ18.00ยฃ7.0076
93London South Bank Universityยฃ6.003.9430.40%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ20.00ยฃ12.0075
94Goldsmiths, University of Londonยฃ6.003.9327.20%ยฃ7.5053.81ยฃ23.00ยฃ8.5064

Which university is the best?

Bangor University is the best university according to the alternative university league table
Source: Bangor University

Out of the 94 universities, Bangor University came out on top overall. It’s clear to see why; it comes first place for the cheapest McMeal (or equivalent food combo), as well as high up for other factors like sustainability (70.3%), 10th cheapest for an Uber, and is the 6th safest overall. So it’s generally a good university all round. On average, it beat out all other UK universities, including the elite Russell Groups.

In second place was Cardiff Metropolitan University, which actually came in top place for sustainability and for being the uni city with the cheapest cinema tickets (sharing top position with Bournemouth University and the University of Derby).

Newcastle University came in third place, followed by the University of Plymouth and Northumbria University in fourth and fifth respectively.

Which university is at the bottom?

Goldsmith's University is the worst university according to the alternative league table
Source: Goldsmith’s University

In last place of Unifresher’s alternative university league table is Goldsmith’s University in London. Despite it not being the worst for any one category, it’s total score ranked Goldsmith’s University in 94th place overall. Some of the reasons why are likely due to it being 4th most expensive university to grab an Uber, among the most expensive for a pint, and 9th worst for sustainability.

It seems that London prices are influential on the outcome of our table. It makes sense, as part of judging the best university is understanding whether you can afford student life in your uni city. In fact, of the ten worst universities, only one is not based in London. This was the University of Chichester based in Sussex came in 87th place overall.

The second-lowest is London South Bank University, followed by Royal Holloway, University of Roehampton and London Metropolitan University.

Where are Oxford and Cambridge?

oxford university is the best of the psychology universities in the uk
Oxford University

Oxford University and Cambridge University normally dominate university ranking and tables, but not in our alternative league. When it comes to things that matter (e.g. getting that McMeal combo in regularly), Oxbridge didn’t make the top five – or top ten for that matter. Cambridge ranked at 80th and Oxford came in 60th position, meaning they were both in the bottom half of the table!

Key findings

  • Bangor University came out as the best university overall
  • Goldsmiths, University of London fared the worst
  • 9 out of the 10 worst universities are based in London
  • 5 out of the 10 best universities are based in Wales
  • 9 out of the 10 best universities are located by the coast
  • 3 out of the 10 best universities are Russell Group universities

 

  • The best university for a McMeal is Bangor University
  • The safest university is Falmouth University
  • The cheapest university for a pint is the University of Hertfordshire
  • The university with the best social life is the University of Liverpool
  • The university that has the cheapest Ubers is the University of Gloucestershire
  • The cheapest universities for a cinema ticket are the University of Derby, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Bournemouth University
  • The most sustainable university is Cardiff Metropolitan University

Methodology

So how did we create out table? We took the list of UK universities from The Complete University Guide, and then used data from Numbeo to calculate crime rates, the cost of a McMeal, cinema tickets, and the price of beer. We used People and Planet’s most up-to-date findings on sustainability ratings, and user ratings and experiences on University Compare for scoring the universities’ social life.ย  Finally, we calculated the price of an Uber for a 10km journey starting at each university using Uber’s price estimate at the same time of day (non-weekends).

Universities with incomplete data were removed from the list, giving a total of 94 UK-based universities overall.

Each university was then given a score (1-94) based on their position in the list for each of the variables, and then summed up. Some variables were reverse-scored, including crime rate and prices). The final rank was based on the summation of these scores.

  • *The cost of a McMeal or equivalent combo deal
  • **The cost of 0.5 litre draught, which is equivalent to 0.88 of a pint however we classified this as a pint for simplicity.

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