University of Birmingham is also Highly Commended after rising six places following improved rankings in student experience
The University of Birmingham has risen six places in the latest edition of the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, ranking 16th and being named Highly Commended University of the Year.
In the 2026 rankings published today (Friday 19), Birmingham has placed in the top 20 universities in the UK following improvements to its scores in the National Student Survey 2025, outperforming the higher education sector, with an improvement of 4.2% across the average of all institutional questions.
We have made the biggest rise among the top 30 universities in the UK, climbing up to 16th place, for which we have also been Highly Commended as University of the Year 2026
Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Birmingham said: “As we celebrate our 125th anniversary this year, I’m delighted that Birmingham has been recognised in these latest Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide rankings. We have made the biggest rise among the top 30 universities in the UK, climbing up to 16th place, for which we have also been Highly Commended as University of the Year 2026.
“These latest rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to improving the experience for every student. We continue to deliver the highest quality academic experience - stretching and challenging our students to achieve a degree that will enhance professional opportunities around the world, and to contribute to society as leaders, innovators, and global citizens.”
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 rankings for UK universities are based on an analysis of student satisfaction with teaching quality and their student experience, entry standards, research quality, sustainability, and graduate prospects.
The University of Birmingham has also improved its position in the Guardian University Guide 2026, rising eight places to 28th overall.
The 2026 table saw the University improve scores across a range of measures including:
In 2025, the University of Birmingham has been named the number one institution for attracting the top graduate employers according to the Graduate Market in 2025 for the second consecutive year. The University has also improved its position amongst the best-performing universities in the world – rising four places in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The University placed 76 in the global ranking, the third successive year of improvement, and its highest position in a decade. Within the UK, Birmingham placed 11th – up two places from last year.
About The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
The Times and The Sunday Times have produced university guides since 1993 and 1998 respectively. Since 2013, they have published a combined Good University Guide to provide the most comprehensive guide to higher education in Britain in print and digital formats across The Times, The Sunday Times and thetimes.com.
The guide provides the definitive rankings for UK universities and the most comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain, making use of the latest data*. It features everything you need to know about applying to university and detailed online profiles for 133 universities, covering research reputation, campus facilities, scholarships and bursaries, and nightlife.
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 used 2023-24 data for entry standards, firsts and 2:1s, continuation rate and student staff ratio, inclusive of overall satisfaction for all UK universities. The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 has used NSS 2025 data, inclusive of overall satisfaction for all UK universities and People & Planet league table 2024 (peopleandplanet.org).
Professor of English Literature
Biographical and contact information for Professor Deborah Longworth in the Department of English at the University of Birmingham.
