UK's top 10 universities for 2026 revealed by The Guardian. Check full list

Oxford University leads the Guardian’s 2026 rankings of UK universities, maintaining its position at the top with a perfect score of 100/100. The university excelled in student satisfaction, teaching quality, and career outcomes, setting the benchmark for higher education in the UK.

Following Oxford, St Andrews secured the second spot, scoring 98.3/100, while Cambridge came in third with 94.7/100. Other notable performers include London School of Economics in fourth place and Durham University, which rose to fifth, reflecting strong student feedback and employability rates.

The Guardian’s ranking evaluates institutions across multiple metrics, including student-to-staff ratios, spending per student, average entry standards, and career success 15 months after graduation. Universities are evaluated not just on academic excellence but also on overall student experience and support systems.

Top 10 UK universities – Guardian 2026 r ankings