Our University Rankings

Subject rankings, student-led categories and university comparisons

Rankings coverage

112 Universities

100+ Subjects

8+ Categories

12+ Factors

Unifresher's best universities in the UK

Our ranked list of the overall best universities in the UK ranked by academic and social factors, weighted on what matters most to students. Read our UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Graduate Employability (10)	Teaching Quality (10)	Research Output (5)	Entry Standards (5)	Cost of Living (15)	Nightlife (15)	Cost of a Pint (10)	Cost of Uber (10)	Crime Rate (10)	Student Satisfaction (10)	Sustainability (10)	Total Score (100)
1	Newcastle University	99	94	100	99	85	94	88	90	60	83	83	85
2	Cardiff University	99	96	100	99	82	90	77	80	65	88	92	85
3	University of Aberdeen	98	92	99	97	91	72	84	90	85	84	83	84
4	University of Liverpool	96	89	98	94	86	90	87	87	62	79	84	84
5	University of Sheffield	96	87	97	92	81	93	86	84	62	85	85	84
6	Queen’s University Belfast	95	90	97	93	86	84	80	92	75	80	80	84
7	Northumbria University	97	89	97	92	84	90	87	90	62	82	80	84
8	University of Leeds	96	89	97	96	72	92	82	80	67	83	85	83
9	Robert Gordon University	94	92	95	90	91	72	85	90	85	83	77	83
10	University of Glasgow	93	89	95	93	81	88	76	75	64	84	87	82
11	Lancaster University	95	88	95	93	74	83	81	80	68	86	88	82
12	University of Nottingham	94	88	94	88	74	92	83	84	57	84	85	82
13	University of Manchester	92	89	93	90	68	96	84	86	54	83	82	82
14	Durham University	93	88	92	87	68	79	80	88	77	88	83	82
15	University of East Anglia	95	90	92	88	89	78	77	82	61	85	88	82
16	Swansea University	90	87	91	86	79	82	80	81	75	84	81	81
17	University of Salford	93	85	91	88	81	88	84	86	59	81	79	81
18	University of York	93	88	91	90	73	81	80	82	68	87	86	81
19	University of Dundee	93	86	91	88	81	76	75	83	74	87	81	81
20	Nottingham Trent University	93	85	90	88	76	91	83	84	58	83	80	81
21	Liverpool John Moores University	95	90	90	90	78	86	87	87	62	78	81	81
22	Manchester Metropolitan University	94	91	90	92	69	92	84	86	56	82	79	81
23	Bangor University	92	83	90	86	92	65	90	94	82	79	74	80
24	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	90	85	90	88	86	75	80	92	78	77	74	80
25	University of Warwick	89	85	89	83	72	81	75	80	69	85	79	80
26	University of Birmingham	89	87	89	83	72	87	73	78	70	80	84	80
27	University of Lincoln	91	87	88	89	75	73	83	80	74	82	80	80
28	University of Chester	91	83	88	85	80	74	82	82	77	84	78	80
29	University of Leicester	89	84	88	84	74	77	81	82	68	80	83	80
30	University of Kent	91	87	88	89	69	78	72	80	74	85	88	80
31	University of Sunderland	88	84	87	85	81	78	85	88	72	79	79	80
32	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	88	82	86	81	86	78	80	81	75	82	76	80
33	University of Strathclyde	89	84	86	85	72	82	76	75	64	82	84	79
34	University of Edinburgh	90	85	85	87	66	85	68	72	68	84	85	79
35	University of Bradford	92	92	85	87	88	74	84	87	65	74	76	79
36	Leeds Arts University	92	92	85	87	83	80	82	80	67	81	78	79
37	University of Hull	87	83	85	85	82	71	82	83	73	78	79	79
38	Leeds Beckett University	89	82	84	78	71	86	82	80	67	78	78	79
39	University of Stirling	88	87	84	78	82	74	70	79	71	83	84	78
40	University of Exeter	90	86	84	80	65	81	64	72	77	86	84	78
41	Coventry University	88	88	82	83	80	79	75	80	69	79	75	78
42	University of Plymouth	90	83	82	75	81	78	68	78	68	81	83	78
43	University of Bath	85	81	82	80	71	79	65	70	78	82	81	78
44	Abertay University	87	84	81	80	80	72	75	83	74	82	78	78
45	University of Southampton	80	80	81	77	67	85	66	76	66	83	86	78
46	Aston University	88	82	80	76	73	82	73	78	72	77	78	78
46	Leeds Trinity University	93	85	80	75	80	78	82	80	67	80	76	78
48	University of Sussex	89	84	80	80	56	90	60	62	75	90	90	78
48	Norwich University of the Arts	85	86	80	81	71	82	77	82	62	83	82	78
50	Cardiff Metropolitan University	90	91	80	82	62	85	77	80	68	83	80	78
51	University of Derby	85	82	80	76	72	71	81	82	78	82	74	78
52	Canterbury Christ Church University	82	80	80	77	82	70	72	80	76	81	75	78
53	York St John University	82	83	79	74	67	76	80	82	68	85	80	77
54	Sheffield Hallam University	86	81	79	77	47	92	86	84	62	84	82	77
55	University of Salford	85	80	79	78	54	88	84	86	59	81	79	77
56	Heriot-Watt University	86	80	78	70	75	76	68	72	68	81	83	77
57	Solent University	86	80	78	70	82	83	66	76	66	80	81	77
58	University of Central Lancashire	87	82	78	76	66	80	80	81	62	82	80	77
59	University of Bristol	83	80	78	77	50	93	62	65	65	87	85	77
59	University of Portsmouth	84	80	77	74	67	85	65	75	65	83	81	77
61	Glasgow Caledonian University	81	81	77	75	72	78	76	75	64	79	80	77
62	Queen Margaret University	85	81	76	77	81	71	68	72	68	83	81	76
63	De Montfort University	87	81	76	76	67	74	81	82	68	77	81	76
64	Plymouth Marjon University	85	82	76	77	85	70	68	78	69	79	82	76
65	University of Oxford	85	80	75	74	47	86	60	62	67	89	89	76
66	Bath Spa University	87	80	75	76	89	70	65	70	83	77	76	76
67	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	84	83	75	75	66	78	77	80	68	80	77	76
67	University of Worcester	78	76	75	70	69	75	75	76	69	84	79	76
69	Birmingham City University	91	83	75	75	74	79	73	78	72	75	74	76
70	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	91	80	75	70	73	74	77	81	65	80	78	76
71	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	83	78	75	74	72	65	80	83	82	81	70	76
72	University of Chichester	82	77	75	75	74	68	68	74	81	86	73	76
73	Oxford Brookes University	83	81	74	77	73	80	60	62	67	83	84	75
74	University of Cambridge	84	80	74	76	44	75	58	64	70	92	95	75
75	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	83	80	74	71	66	70	77	80	68	88	72	75
76	Glasgow School of Art	80	78	74	74	54	80	76	75	64	81	82	75
77	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	85	80	73	70	67	55	80	87	78	82	84	75
78	University of Winchester	86	82	73	75	80	72	65	70	62	85	78	75
79	Staffordshire University	80	79	73	74	58	75	80	80	70	80	80	74
80	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	81	80	72	72	51	88	62	65	68	85	80	74
81	University of Brighton	87	82	72	75	56	85	60	62	70	80	85	74
82	Liverpool Hope University	83	82	72	74	49	78	87	87	62	81	76	74
83	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	78	78	71	62	72	72	58	64	72	83	78	74
84	Newman University	78	80	70	68	76	71	73	78	72	76	70	74
85	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	84	81	70	72	72	68	60	72	74	79	74	73
86	Edinburgh Napier University	83	82	70	72	44	78	68	72	68	80	80	72
87	University of Wolverhampton	80	85	70	75	38	70	75	80	66	78	77	69
88	Royal Holloway, University of London	82	78	70	68	47	76	40	41	59	79	84	66
89	Royal College of Music	77	76	70	72	49	75	30	28	51	83	81	64
90	University College London (UCL)	80	82	69	75	38	87	28	25	50	79	84	64
91	King's College London	75	72	68	62	38	85	28	25	50	76	83	63
92	Queen Mary University of London	81	78	68	73	41	80	32	30	50	77	82	63
93	Royal Academy of Music	82	83	68	70	38	75	30	28	51	83	81	63
94	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	83	77	68	65	38	77	28	25	52	75	86	62
95	Imperial College London	79	78	68	72	38	70	28	25	52	74	87	62
96	London Business School	77	82	68	73	38	69	28	25	51	82	85	62
97	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	82	81	67	72	36	75	28	25	51	82	80	61
98	University of the Arts London	80	77	66	70	38	82	28	25	51	77	81	61
99	University of Roehampton	72	78	66	65	38	74	38	32	56	76	82	61
99	Brunel University London	78	79	65	68	41	72	35	30	52	75	82	61
101	City, University of London	82	79	65	74	36	78	30	25	52	76	80	61
102	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	80	82	65	68	38	62	28	25	50	81	87	61
103	Middlesex University	82	81	65	65	38	75	35	28	53	75	80	60
104	St George's, University of London	78	80	65	72	38	69	32	25	52	78	84	60
105	University of East London	76	79	65	71	39	75	38	33	51	72	78	60
106	University of Westminster	81	78	65	68	38	79	28	25	51	74	79	60
107	Goldsmiths, University of London	78	76	64	67	36	81	30	25	51	74	80	60
108	SOAS University of London	77	80	63	68	38	77	28	25	51	75	80	60
109	London Metropolitan University	78	84	62	65	45	74	35	30	50	72	76	59
110	Birkbeck, University of London	75	81	62	65	38	70	28	25	51	74	80	58
111	London South Bank University	73	79	52	63	38	74	28	25	51	73	79	58

About the Unifresher University Rankings

The Unifresher university rankings help students compare UK universities based on what genuinely matters to student life today. Our scoring combines academic quality with social, lifestyle, and practical factors that shape the real university experience.

Each university is assessed across a range of academic and student-focused categories, with scores weighted around student priorities, particularly for those preparing to start university. This ensures the rankings reflect both teaching quality and day-to-day student life.

These rankings are updated annually for the 2026 academic year using the most recent data, student feedback, and university information. Methodology and weightings may evolve to stay aligned with what matters most to students.

The rankings are designed as a starting point. We recommend using them alongside subject rankings, open days, and your own priorities when choosing where to study.

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Freshers

Our ranking of the best UK universities for freshers focuses on academic and social factors, weighted around what matters most during your first year. Read our full freshers UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Freshers Score (100)
1	Newcastle University	67.25
2	University of Aberdeen	67.05
3	Robert Gordon University	66.45
4	University of Liverpool	66.3
5	University of Sheffield	66.3
6	Queen’s University Belfast	66.2
7	Northumbria University	66.2
8	Cardiff University	66
9	Bangor University	65.45
10	University of East Anglia	64.35
11	University of Leeds	64.3
12	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	64.25
13	Swansea University	64.25
14	University of Salford	64.25
15	University of Nottingham	64.2
16	University of Sunderland	64.15
17	Liverpool John Moores University	64.1
18	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	64
19	University of Glasgow	63.95
20	Lancaster University	63.85
21	Nottingham Trent University	63.85
22	Durham University	63.65
23	University of Dundee	63.55
24	University of Manchester	63.5
25	University of Chester	63.4
26	University of York	63.4
27	Leeds Arts University	63.25
28	University of Bradford	62.9
29	Manchester Metropolitan University	62.85
30	University of Hull	62.45
31	University of Birmingham	62.35
32	Leeds Trinity University	62.2
33	University of Lincoln	62.1
34	University of Stirling	62.1
35	University of Leicester	62.05
36	Leeds Beckett University	62.05
37	Abertay University	62
38	University of Kent	61.95
39	University of Warwick	61.75
40	University of Plymouth	61.65
41	Solent University	61.65
42	Coventry University	61.65
43	Norwich University of the Arts	61.55
44	Canterbury Christ Church University	61.2
45	University of Strathclyde	61.2
46	University of Derby	61.15
46	Aston University	61.05
48	Bath Spa University	60.95
48	York St John University	60.95
50	Plymouth Marjon University	60.85
51	Cardiff Metropolitan University	60.85
52	Sheffield Hallam University	60.65
53	University of Southampton	60.5
54	University of Central Lancashire	60.4
55	University of Edinburgh	60.35
56	University of Exeter	60.2
57	University of Salford	60.2
58	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	60.15
59	Birmingham City University	60.15
59	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	60.15
61	University of Bath	60.1
62	De Montfort University	60.05
63	Queen Margaret University	60
64	University of Worcester	59.9
65	Glasgow Caledonian University	59.9
66	Heriot-Watt University	59.85
67	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	59.8
67	University of Portsmouth	59.7
69	University of Sussex	59.6
70	University of Chichester	59.5
71	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	59.4
72	Newman University	58.95
73	Staffordshire University	58.95
74	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	58.9
75	University of Winchester	58.8
76	Oxford Brookes University	58.55
77	Liverpool Hope University	58.35
78	Glasgow School of Art	57.9
79	University of Bristol	57.85
80	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	57.1
81	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	56.9
82	University of Brighton	56.85
83	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	56.85
84	University of Oxford	56.65
85	University of Cambridge	55.75
86	Edinburgh Napier University	55.1
87	University of Wolverhampton	53.8
88	Royal Holloway, University of London	48.75
89	Royal College of Music	45.9
90	University College London (UCL)	45.35
91	Queen Mary University of London	45.25
92	University of Roehampton	45.2
93	King's College London	44.65
94	Brunel University London	44.35
95	University of East London	44.3
96	Royal Academy of Music	44.25
97	University of the Arts London	44.2
98	London Metropolitan University	44.15
99	Middlesex University	44.05
99	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	43.85
101	Goldsmiths, University of London	43.55
102	City, University of London	43.4
103	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	43.25
104	University of Westminster	43.25
105	London Business School	43.15
106	St George's, University of London	43.15
107	SOAS University of London	43.15
108	Imperial College London	42.8
109	London South Bank University	42.4
110	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	42.1
111	Birkbeck, University of London	42

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Nightlife

Our ranking of the best UK universities for nightlife focuses on academic and social factors, weighted around what matters most for your nightlife. Read our full nightlife UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Nightlife Score (100)
1	University of Manchester	96
2	Newcastle University	94
3	University of Sheffield	93
4	University of Bristol	93
5	University of Leeds	92
6	University of Nottingham	92
7	Manchester Metropolitan University	92
8	Sheffield Hallam University	92
9	Nottingham Trent University	91
10	Cardiff University	90
11	University of Liverpool	90
12	Northumbria University	90
13	University of Sussex	90
14	University of Glasgow	88
15	University of Salford	88
16	University of Salford	88
17	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	88
18	University of Birmingham	87
19	University College London (UCL)	87
20	Liverpool John Moores University	86
21	Leeds Beckett University	86
22	University of Oxford	86
23	University of Edinburgh	85
24	University of Southampton	85
25	Cardiff Metropolitan University	85
26	University of Portsmouth	85
27	University of Brighton	85
28	King's College London	85
29	Queen’s University Belfast	84
30	Lancaster University	83
31	Solent University	83
32	Swansea University	82
33	University of Strathclyde	82
34	Aston University	82
35	Norwich University of the Arts	82
36	University of the Arts London	82
37	University of York	81
38	University of Warwick	81
39	University of Exeter	81
40	Goldsmiths, University of London	81
41	Leeds Arts University	80
42	University of Central Lancashire	80
43	Oxford Brookes University	80
44	Glasgow School of Art	80
45	Queen Mary University of London	80
46	Durham University	79
46	Coventry University	79
48	University of Bath	79
48	Birmingham City University	79
50	University of Westminster	79
51	University of East Anglia	78
52	University of Kent	78
53	University of Sunderland	78
54	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	78
55	University of Plymouth	78
56	Leeds Trinity University	78
57	Glasgow Caledonian University	78
58	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	78
59	Liverpool Hope University	78
59	Edinburgh Napier University	78
61	City, University of London	78
62	University of Leicester	77
63	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	77
64	SOAS University of London	77
65	University of Dundee	76
66	York St John University	76
67	Heriot-Watt University	76
67	Royal Holloway, University of London	76
69	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	75
70	University of Worcester	75
71	University of Cambridge	75
72	Staffordshire University	75
73	Royal College of Music	75
74	Royal Academy of Music	75
75	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	75
76	Middlesex University	75
77	University of East London	75
78	University of Chester	74
79	University of Bradford	74
80	University of Stirling	74
81	De Montfort University	74
82	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	74
83	University of Roehampton	74
84	London Metropolitan University	74
85	London South Bank University	74
86	University of Lincoln	73
87	University of Aberdeen	72
88	Robert Gordon University	72
89	Abertay University	72
90	University of Winchester	72
91	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	72
92	Brunel University London	72
93	University of Hull	71
94	University of Derby	71
95	Queen Margaret University	71
96	Newman University	71
97	Canterbury Christ Church University	70
98	Plymouth Marjon University	70
99	Bath Spa University	70
99	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	70
101	University of Wolverhampton	70
102	Imperial College London	70
103	Birkbeck, University of London	70
104	London Business School	69
105	St George's, University of London	69
106	University of Chichester	68
107	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	68
108	Bangor University	65
109	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	65
110	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	62
111	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	55

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Sustainability

Our ranking of the best UK universities for sustainability focuses on environmental impact and sustainability initiatives, weighted around what matters most to students who care about responsible, future-focused campuses.

Rank	University	Sustainability Score (100)
1	Cardiff University	92
2	University of Cambridge	91
3	University of Sussex	90
4	University of Oxford	89
5	Lancaster University	88
6	University of East Anglia	88
7	University of Kent	88
8	University of Glasgow	87
9	Imperial College London	87
10	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	87
11	University of York	86
12	University of Southampton	86
13	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	86
14	University of Sheffield	85
15	University of Leeds	85
16	University of Nottingham	85
17	University of Edinburgh	85
18	University of Bristol	85
19	University of Brighton	85
20	London Business School	85
21	University of Liverpool	84
22	University of Birmingham	84
23	University of Strathclyde	84
24	University of Stirling	84
25	University of Exeter	84
26	Oxford Brookes University	84
27	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	84
28	Royal Holloway, University of London	84
29	University College London (UCL)	84
30	St George's, University of London	84
31	Newcastle University	83
32	University of Aberdeen	83
33	Durham University	83
34	University of Leicester	83
35	University of Plymouth	83
36	Heriot-Watt University	83
37	King's College London	83
38	University of Manchester	82
39	Norwich University of the Arts	82
40	Sheffield Hallam University	82
41	Plymouth Marjon University	82
42	Glasgow School of Art	82
43	Queen Mary University of London	82
44	University of Roehampton	82
45	Brunel University London	82
46	Swansea University	81
46	University of Dundee	81
48	Liverpool John Moores University	81
48	University of Bath	81
50	Solent University	81
51	University of Portsmouth	81
52	Queen Margaret University	81
53	De Montfort University	81
54	Royal College of Music	81
55	Royal Academy of Music	81
56	University of the Arts London	81
57	Queen’s University Belfast	80
58	Northumbria University	80
59	Nottingham Trent University	80
59	University of Lincoln	80
61	Cardiff Metropolitan University	80
62	York St John University	80
63	University of Central Lancashire	80
64	Glasgow Caledonian University	80
65	Staffordshire University	80
66	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	80
67	Edinburgh Napier University	80
67	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	80
69	City, University of London	80
70	Middlesex University	80
71	Goldsmiths, University of London	80
72	SOAS University of London	80
73	Birkbeck, University of London	80
74	University of Salford	79
75	Manchester Metropolitan University	79
76	University of Warwick	79
77	University of Sunderland	79
78	University of Hull	79
79	University of Salford	79
80	University of Worcester	79
81	University of Westminster	79
82	London South Bank University	79
83	University of Chester	78
84	Leeds Arts University	78
85	Leeds Beckett University	78
86	Abertay University	78
87	Aston University	78
88	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	78
89	University of Winchester	78
90	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	78
91	University of East London	78
92	Robert Gordon University	77
93	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	77
94	University of Wolverhampton	77
95	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	76
96	University of Bradford	76
97	Leeds Trinity University	76
98	Bath Spa University	76
99	Liverpool Hope University	76
99	London Metropolitan University	76
101	Coventry University	75
102	Canterbury Christ Church University	75
103	Bangor University	74
104	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	74
105	University of Derby	74
106	Birmingham City University	74
107	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	74
108	University of Chichester	73
109	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	72
110	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	70
111	Newman University	70

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Employability

Our ranking of the best UK universities for employability focuses on career outcomes and employability factors, weighted around what matters most to students preparing for life after university. Read our full employability UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Employability Score (100)
1	University of Oxford	99
2	University of Cambridge	99
3	Imperial College London	98
4	University of Bristol	97
5	University of Manchester	96
6	University College London (UCL)	96
7	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	96
8	Cardiff University	95
9	University of Edinburgh	95
10	King's College London	95
11	London Business School	95
12	University of Leeds	94
13	Durham University	94
14	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	94
15	Newcastle University	93
16	Lancaster University	93
17	University of Nottingham	93
18	University of Warwick	93
19	University of Exeter	93
20	University of Bath	93
21	University of Sussex	93
22	University of Glasgow	92
23	University of Birmingham	92
24	Royal College of Music	92
25	Royal Academy of Music	92
26	University of Sheffield	91
27	Queen’s University Belfast	91
28	University of York	91
29	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	91
30	University of Brighton	91
31	University of Liverpool	90
32	Manchester Metropolitan University	90
33	University of Kent	90
34	University of Southampton	90
35	Queen Mary University of London	90
36	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	90
37	Northumbria University	89
38	University of East Anglia	89
39	University of Leicester	89
40	University of Strathclyde	89
41	Heriot-Watt University	89
42	Royal Holloway, University of London	89
43	University of Aberdeen	88
44	University of Dundee	88
45	Nottingham Trent University	88
46	University of Lincoln	88
46	City, University of London	88
48	Swansea University	87
48	Coventry University	87
50	Aston University	87
51	Cardiff Metropolitan University	87
52	University of Portsmouth	87
53	St George's, University of London	87
54	University of Salford	86
55	University of Salford	86
56	Oxford Brookes University	86
57	Edinburgh Napier University	86
58	Robert Gordon University	85
59	Leeds Beckett University	85
59	Sheffield Hallam University	85
61	Glasgow School of Art	85
62	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	85
63	University of the Arts London	85
64	Brunel University London	85
65	University of Westminster	85
66	University of Chester	84
67	University of Stirling	84
67	University of Plymouth	84
69	Glasgow Caledonian University	84
70	University of Hull	83
71	University of Derby	83
72	York St John University	83
73	University of Central Lancashire	83
74	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	83
75	Middlesex University	83
76	Birkbeck, University of London	83
77	Liverpool John Moores University	82
78	Leeds Arts University	82
79	Canterbury Christ Church University	82
80	Queen Margaret University	82
81	University of Worcester	82
82	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	82
83	SOAS University of London	82
84	London South Bank University	82
85	Leeds Trinity University	81
86	Norwich University of the Arts	81
87	De Montfort University	81
88	Birmingham City University	81
89	University of Sunderland	80
90	Abertay University	80
91	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	80
92	University of Winchester	80
93	University of Roehampton	80
94	University of East London	80
95	Goldsmiths, University of London	80
96	Staffordshire University	79
97	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	78
98	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	78
99	University of Bradford	78
99	Solent University	78
101	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	78
102	University of Chichester	78
103	University of Wolverhampton	78
104	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	77
105	Liverpool Hope University	77
106	London Metropolitan University	77
107	Plymouth Marjon University	76
108	Bangor University	75
109	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	75
110	Newman University	73
111	Bath Spa University	72

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Satisfaction

Our ranking of the best UK universities for student satisfaction focuses on teaching quality, support, and overall student experience, weighted around what matters most to students during their time at university. Read our full student satisfaction UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Satisfaction Score (100)
1	University of Sussex	90
2	Cardiff University	88
3	Durham University	88
4	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	88
5	University of York	87
6	University of Dundee	87
7	University of Bristol	87
8	University of Oxford	86
9	Lancaster University	86
10	University of Exeter	86
11	University of Chichester	86
12	University of Sheffield	85
13	University of East Anglia	85
14	University of Warwick	85
15	University of Kent	85
16	York St John University	85
17	University of Winchester	85
18	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	85
19	University of Cambridge	84
20	University of Aberdeen	84
21	University of Glasgow	84
22	University of Nottingham	84
23	Swansea University	84
24	University of Chester	84
25	University of Edinburgh	84
26	Sheffield Hallam University	84
27	University of Worcester	84
28	Newcastle University	83
29	University of Leeds	83
30	Robert Gordon University	83
31	University of Manchester	83
32	Nottingham Trent University	83
33	University of Stirling	83
34	University of Southampton	83
35	Norwich University of the Arts	83
36	Cardiff Metropolitan University	83
37	University of Portsmouth	83
38	Queen Margaret University	83
39	Oxford Brookes University	83
40	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	83
41	Royal College of Music	83
42	Royal Academy of Music	83
43	Northumbria University	82
44	Manchester Metropolitan University	82
45	University of Lincoln	82
46	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	82
46	University of Strathclyde	82
48	University of Bath	82
48	Abertay University	82
50	University of Derby	82
51	University of Central Lancashire	82
52	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	82
53	London Business School	82
54	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	82
55	University of Salford	81
56	Leeds Arts University	81
57	University of Plymouth	81
58	Canterbury Christ Church University	81
59	University of Salford	81
59	Heriot-Watt University	81
61	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	81
62	Glasgow School of Art	81
63	Liverpool Hope University	81
64	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	81
65	Queen’s University Belfast	80
66	University of Birmingham	80
67	University of Leicester	80
67	Leeds Trinity University	80
69	Solent University	80
70	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	80
71	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	80
72	Staffordshire University	80
73	University of Brighton	80
74	Edinburgh Napier University	80
75	University of Liverpool	79
76	Bangor University	79
77	University of Sunderland	79
78	Coventry University	79
79	Glasgow Caledonian University	79
80	Plymouth Marjon University	79
81	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	79
82	Royal Holloway, University of London	79
83	University College London (UCL)	79
84	Liverpool John Moores University	78
85	University of Hull	78
86	Leeds Beckett University	78
87	University of Wolverhampton	78
88	St George's, University of London	78
89	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	77
90	Aston University	77
91	De Montfort University	77
92	Bath Spa University	77
93	Queen Mary University of London	77
94	University of the Arts London	77
95	Newman University	76
96	King's College London	76
97	University of Roehampton	76
98	City, University of London	76
99	Birmingham City University	75
99	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	75
101	Brunel University London	75
102	Middlesex University	75
103	SOAS University of London	75
104	University of Bradford	74
105	Imperial College London	74
106	University of Westminster	74
107	Goldsmiths, University of London	74
108	Birkbeck, University of London	74
109	London South Bank University	73
110	University of East London	72
111	London Metropolitan University	72

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Innovation

Our ranking of the best UK universities for student innovation focuses on creativity, entrepreneurship, and forward-thinking opportunities, weighted around what matters most to students who want to build and innovate while studying. Read our full innovation UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Innovation Score (100)
1	University of Oxford	99
2	University of Cambridge	99
3	Imperial College London	98
4	University College London (UCL)	97
5	University of Edinburgh	96
6	University of Manchester	96
7	University of Bristol	96
8	University of Warwick	95
9	University of Southampton	95
10	University of Glasgow	95
11	University of Leeds	95
12	University of Sheffield	94
13	University of Nottingham	94
14	University of Bath	94
15	University of York	93
16	University of Durham	93
17	Queen Mary University of London	93
18	University of Lancaster	93
19	University of St Andrews	93
20	University of Exeter	93
21	University of Reading	93
22	University of Strathclyde	92
23	University of Aberdeen	92
24	University of Leicester	92
25	University of Surrey	92
26	University of Sussex	91
27	University of Birmingham	91
28	University of Newcastle	91
29	University of Kent	91
30	University of Plymouth	91
31	University of Dundee	90
32	University of Bradford	90
33	University of Central Lancashire	90
34	University of Roehampton	90
35	University of Hull	90
36	University of Greenwich	90
37	University of Lincoln	89
38	University of Derby	89
39	University of Salford	89
40	Aston University	89
41	University of Brighton	89
42	University of Westminster	89
43	University of Bath Spa	88
44	Cardiff University	88
45	Durham University	88
46	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	88
46	Lancaster University	88
48	University of Chichester	87
48	University of East Anglia	87
50	York St John University	87
51	University of Winchester	87
52	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	87
53	Swansea University	87
54	University of Chester	86
55	Sheffield Hallam University	86
56	University of Worcester	86
57	Newcastle University	86
58	Robert Gordon University	85
59	Nottingham Trent University	85
59	University of Stirling	85
61	Norwich University of the Arts	85
62	Cardiff Metropolitan University	85
63	University of Portsmouth	85
64	Queen Margaret University	85
65	Oxford Brookes University	85
66	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	84
67	Royal College of Music	84
67	Royal Academy of Music	84
69	Northumbria University	84
70	Manchester Metropolitan University	83
71	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	83
72	Abertay University	83
73	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	83
74	London Business School	83
75	Guildhall School of Music & Drama	83
76	Leeds Arts University	83
77	Canterbury Christ Church University	82
78	Heriot-Watt University	82
79	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	82
80	Glasgow School of Art	82
81	Liverpool Hope University	82
82	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	82
83	Queen’s University Belfast	82
84	Leeds Trinity University	82
85	Solent University	81
86	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	81
87	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	81
88	Staffordshire University	81
89	Edinburgh Napier University	80
90	University of Liverpool	80
91	Bangor University	80
92	University of Sunderland	80
93	Coventry University	80
94	Glasgow Caledonian University	80
95	Plymouth Marjon University	80
96	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	79
97	Royal Holloway, University of London	78
98	Liverpool John Moores University	78
99	Leeds Beckett University	78
99	University of Wolverhampton	78
101	St George's, University of London	78
102	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	78
103	De Montfort University	78
104	Bath Spa University	77
105	University of the Arts London	77
106	Newman University	77
107	King's College London	76
108	City, University of London	75
109	Birmingham City University	75
110	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	73
111	Brunel University London	72

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Inclusion

Our ranking of the best UK universities for inclusion focuses on diversity, accessibility, and support, weighted around what matters most to students seeking an inclusive and welcoming university experience. Read our full inclusion UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Freshers Score (100)
1	University of Birmingham	90
2	University of Glasgow	88
3	University of York	88
4	University of Manchester	88
5	University of Sussex	87
6	University of Nottingham	87
7	University of Edinburgh	87
8	University of Warwick	86
9	University of Bristol	86
10	University of Leeds	86
11	University of Southampton	86
12	University of Newcastle	85
13	University of Leicester	85
14	University of York St John	85
15	University of Stirling	85
16	University of Surrey	85
17	University of Kent	85
18	University of Cardiff	85
19	University of Sheffield	84
20	University of Bath	84
21	University of Coventry	84
22	University of Derby	84
23	University of Lancaster	84
24	University of Swansea	84
25	University of Greenwich	84
26	University of Oxford	84
27	University of Cambridge	84
28	University of Salford	83
29	University of Hull	83
30	University of Plymouth	83
31	University of Roehampton	83
32	University of Brighton	83
33	University of Central Lancashire	83
34	University of Sunderland	83
35	University of Lincoln	83
36	University of Huddersfield	83
37	University of Bournemouth	83
38	University of Northumbria	83
39	University of Chester	83
40	University of Edinburgh Napier	83
41	University of Aberystwyth	83
42	University of Nottingham Trent	83
43	University of Essex	82
44	University of East Anglia	82
45	University of London	82
46	Newcastle University	82
46	University of Aberdeen	82
48	Robert Gordon University	82
48	University of Liverpool	82
50	Queen’s University Belfast	82
51	Northumbria University	82
52	Cardiff University	82
53	Bangor University	82
54	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	82
55	Swansea University	81
56	Liverpool John Moores University	81
57	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	81
58	Lancaster University	81
59	Nottingham Trent University	81
59	Durham University	81
61	University of Dundee	81
62	Leeds Arts University	81
63	University of Bradford	81
64	Manchester Metropolitan University	81
65	Leeds Trinity University	80
66	Leeds Beckett University	80
67	Abertay University	80
67	Solent University	80
69	Coventry University	80
70	Norwich University of the Arts	80
71	Canterbury Christ Church University	80
72	University of Strathclyde	80
73	Aston University	80
74	Bath Spa University	80
75	York St John University	79
76	Plymouth Marjon University	79
77	Cardiff Metropolitan University	79
78	Sheffield Hallam University	79
79	University of Exeter	79
80	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	79
81	Birmingham City University	79
82	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	79
83	De Montfort University	79
84	Queen Margaret University	78
85	University of Worcester	78
86	Glasgow Caledonian University	78
87	Heriot-Watt University	78
88	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	78
89	University of Portsmouth	77
90	University of Chichester	77
91	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	77
92	Newman University	77
93	Staffordshire University	77
94	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	77
95	University of Winchester	76
96	Oxford Brookes University	76
97	Liverpool Hope University	76
98	Glasgow School of Art	76
99	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	75
99	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	75
101	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	75

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Socieities

Our ranking of the best UK universities for student societies focuses on the variety, quality, and engagement of societies and clubs, weighted around what matters most to students looking to get involved beyond their course. Read our full societies UK university rankings to compare your options.

Rank	University	Freshers Score (100)
1	University of Nottingham	92
2	University of Exeter	91
3	University of Bristol	90
4	University of Leeds	89
5	University of Glasgow	88
6	University of Edinburgh	88
7	University of Sussex	88
8	University of Lancaster	87
9	University of Southampton	87
10	University of Keele	87
11	University of Bath	86
12	University of York	86
13	University of Durham	86
14	University of Birmingham	85
15	University of Cardiff	85
16	University of Sheffield	85
17	University of Manchester	85
18	University of Liverpool	85
19	University of Reading	85
20	University of Kent	85
21	University of Surrey	84
22	University of Newcastle	84
23	University of Leicester	84
24	University of Warwick	84
25	University of Essex	84
26	University of East Anglia	84
27	University of Portsmouth	84
28	University of Swansea	84
29	University of Loughborough	84
30	University of St Andrews	84
31	University of Lincoln	83
32	University of Plymouth	83
33	University of Aberystwyth	83
34	University of Huddersfield	83
35	University of Oxford	83
36	University of Cambridge	83
37	University of Dundee	83
38	University of Roehampton	82
39	University of Stirling	82
40	University of Brighton	82
41	University of Greenwich	82
42	University of Chester	82
43	University of Coventry	82
44	University of Worcester	82
45	University of Sunderland	82
46	University of Salford	81
46	University of Bournemouth	81
48	University of Northumbria	81
48	University of Central Lancashire	81
50	University of Westminster	81
51	University of York St John	81
52	University of Derby	81
53	University of Hull	81
54	University of Edinburgh Napier	81
55	University of Nottingham Trent	81
56	University of London	81
57	Newcastle University	80
58	University of Aberdeen	80
59	Robert Gordon University	80
59	Queen’s University Belfast	80
61	Northumbria University	80
62	Cardiff University	80
63	Bangor University	80
64	Ulster University (Belfast campus)	80
65	Swansea University	80
66	Liverpool John Moores University	80
67	University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea campus)	80
67	Lancaster University	80
69	Nottingham Trent University	80
70	Durham University	80
71	Leeds Arts University	80
72	University of Bradford	80
73	Manchester Metropolitan University	80
74	Leeds Trinity University	79
75	Leeds Beckett University	79
76	Abertay University	79
77	Solent University	79
78	Coventry University	79
79	Norwich University of the Arts	79
80	Canterbury Christ Church University	79
81	University of Strathclyde	79
82	Aston University	79
83	Bath Spa University	78
84	York St John University	78
85	Plymouth Marjon University	78
86	Cardiff Metropolitan University	78
87	Sheffield Hallam University	78
88	University of South Wales (Newport campus)	78
89	Birmingham City University	78
90	University of Cumbria (Carlisle campus)	78
91	De Montfort University	78
92	Queen Margaret University	77
93	Glasgow Caledonian University	77
94	Heriot-Watt University	77
95	University of South Wales (Cardiff campus)	76
96	University of Chichester	76
97	University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness campus)	76
98	Newman University	76
99	Staffordshire University	76
99	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama	76
101	University of Winchester	75
102	Oxford Brookes University	75
103	Liverpool Hope University	74
104	Glasgow School of Art	74
105	Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge campus)	74
106	Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford campus)	74
107	University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)	74

Best universities for each category

Every subject below has a Unifresher ranking, find the best university for your course in 2026.

Nightlife

The best cities for students who live for nights out, club culture, late bites and affordable drinks.
View Nightlife Ranking
Freshers

From welcome weeks to halls culture, where starting uni is fun, supportive and unforgettable.
View Freshers Ranking
Sustainability

Green campuses, climate goals and real eco action from student-led change to institutional policy.
View Sustainability Ranking
Employability

Ranked for career readiness, placement links, alumni support and outcomes that matter to students.
View Employability Ranking
Diversity and inclusion

Where students feel seen, safe and supported, based on real voices, policies and cultural representation.
View Diversity & Inclusion Ranking
Innovation

Ranked for student enterprise zones, start-up support, pitch competitions and a culture of creativity that helps bold ideas take flight.
View Innovation Ranking
Student satisfaction

Where students are genuinely happy, from academic feedback to mental wellbeing and social life.
View Satisfaction Ranking
Societies and clubs

Find your people and your passions — these unis offer the most vibrant and varied student groups around.
View Societies & Clubs Ranking

Best universities for each subject

Every subject below has a Unifresher ranking, find the best university for your course in 2026.

A subjects

B subjects

C subjects

D subjects

E subjects

F subjects

G subjects

H subjects

L subjects

M subjects

N subjects

P subjects

R subjects

Robotics

S subjects

T subjects

Teaching Degree

Z subjects

Zoology

Sources used in our rankings methodology Click to expand +

We build our rankings using publicly available datasets, student feedback, and recognised benchmarks. The sources below include our core data inputs, plus additional references used for context and verification where relevant.

Core data sources (primary inputs)

Rankings benchmarks (context and comparison)

Government and national statistics (context and verification)

Sustainability and inclusion references (category context)

City, travel, and place data (lifestyle context)

University and student union information (verification and detail)

Note: Some sources above are used as core scoring inputs, while others are referenced for context, verification, and category-specific detail where relevant.

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Our University Rankings

Unifresher's best universities in the UK

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Freshers

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Nightlife

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Sustainability

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Employability

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Satisfaction

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Innovation

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Inclusion

Unifresher's best universities in the UK for Student Socieities

Best universities for each category

Nightlife

Freshers

Sustainability

Employability

Diversity and inclusion

Innovation

Student satisfaction

Societies and clubs