The Best Universities in the UK 2026
The ultimate university ranking of 2026 has officially landed, and it includes all the things students like you really care about. Think the cheapest accommodation, cheapest pints, and how likely you are to get a job after graduating.
To consider all angles, we looked at the Times Top 100 Universities and ranked them according to the following factors:
Times Higher Education ranking
Student satisfaction
Graduate prospects
Average weekly accommodation costs
Cost of an ‘inexpensive’ meal
Cost of a pint (domestic beer)
Cost of a one-way ticket on local transport
Cost of a monthly fitness membership
The total number of nightclubs
We’ve created a detailed index for 2026 covering all of these. So, whether you’re looking for the best place to study or the university with the cheapest pint - we’ve got you covered.
The best UK universities overall
The top 10 universities overall covered a lot of ground. Overall, St Andrews University in Scotland is the best UK university for the third year running, scoring full marks across the board and the best for student satisfaction. This was followed by Loughborough University and The University of Sheffield.
Click below to view the whole table and see where other universities ranked.
CHECK OUT THE TABLEThe best UK university for graduate prospects
The area you choose to study in can also have an impact on your post-university career and it’s useful to think of the next steps open to you, especially if you’ve already relocated to University. You may want to find a graduate job in your new area.
This year, Imperial College London nabbed the top spot again with the highest graduate prospects in the UK. Followed by London School of Economics and the University of Oxford.
The best UK universities for the most affordable lifestyle
Beyond campus life, factors like nightlife, leisure activities, and local living costs all influence your university experience.
Cheltenham scored highest overall for student lifestyle, offering affordable fitness memberships, meals, and drinks. Many venues offer £2 student deals on dedicated nights. While London ranks as the most expensive city for students, its 5,580+ pubs and clubs make it unbeatable for nightlife.
For safety, Chester leads the rankings, followed by Durham and Winchester.
The best UK universities for accommodation costs
Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses as a student, so it's usually an important consideration when choosing where to go.
This year, students at Bangor University had the cheapest accommodation, with an average monthly rent of £376 - two thirds of the national average. Followed by Wolverhampton and Coventry.
Meanwhile, King's College London has an average rent of £876 per month, which made it the most expensive university for accommodation nationwide.
Whether you’re financially driven, career-prospecting or simply looking for the best place to be educated, our index should help make your decision ahead of the UCAS application deadline a little bit easier.
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I'm Ella, Head of Content here at Higherin! I entered the publishing world after university through a couple of exciting internships in the big city, so I know how crucial work experience is to setting up your future. Now, I'm spilling the tea on what to do to find and secure your own dream career.
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