The London School of Economics and Political Science was ranked as the top university in the UK for a second year in a row, while for the first time in the guide's 32-year history both the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge dropped out of the top three - to a joint fourth.
The University of St Andrews retained its spot in second place in the rankings. It scored highly for the calibre and consistency of the student experience and its research quality.
Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York all ranked among the top 30. Take a look at the rankings below...

7. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham ranked 16th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | Google

8. University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool ranked 18th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | Google

9. University of York
The University of York ranked 20th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | National World

10. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow ranked 22nd in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | Canva/Getty Images

11. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh ranked 25th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | Adobe Stock

12. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds ranked 26th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
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