Press Release: The University of Cambridge tops the Complete University Guide 2026, but rivals are closing in in many subjects

The University of Cambridge has come top of the class for this year’s annual Complete University Guide rankings, but the race at the top is tightening. The University of Oxford is gaining ground and institutions traditionally lower down the table are shaking up Oxbridge’s dominance.  

This year Oxford is top in 11 subjects, compared to 8 last year, and Loughborough University, the London School of Economics and Political Science and Imperial College London all lead in three subjects - with Imperial having increased from two last year. With Cambridge now leading in 26 subject areas - down from 34 last year - the data suggests a shifting landscape where new centres of excellence are challenging the long-standing hierarchy. 

Many newer universities are challenging older universities for a spot in the top 70. Major advancers this year include Arts University Bournemouth which has shot up 32 places from last year to 61st and Norwich University of the Arts which has risen 25 places from last year to 57th.  Heriot-Watt University is this year ranked higher than several Russell Group universities after climbing 17 places to 25th. 

However, several institutions have seen notable drops. Queen Mary University of London is now the lowest ranked Russell Group institution at 41st, although it has risen nine places compared to last year, The University for the Creative Arts has fallen 26 places to 111th, while Sheffield Hallam has dropped 21 places to 84th. These shifts reflect growing volatility in the higher education landscape as universities respond to changing student expectations and sector-wide challenges. 

The University of St Andrews maintains the prestige of the highest ranked university in Scotland at 4th place in the UK, while Cardiff University remains top of the table for Wales in 22nd place overall with Queen's University Belfast the highest-ranking institution in Northern Ireland in 24th place. 

Each year, the Complete University Guide publishes its UK university and subject league tables to help prospective students make informed choices about their future, including those weighing up late decisions or exploring Clearing options.  

Regional tables are also available, making it easier for students to find the right university close to home. This release follows last month’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, where students themselves recognised and celebrated outstanding universities across a range of categories nationwide. 

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said:  “Congratulations to the University of Cambridge for once again securing the top spot in this year’s Complete University Guide rankings. Our methodology draws on a range of trusted, independent measures that reflect the factors students care most about, including teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate outcomes. The close competition within the top 20 highlights the consistently high standards across UK higher education. 

“This year, we’ve seen considerable movement in the subject tables, underlining their importance as a resource for students who know what they want to study, but are still weighing up where to apply. Whether making early choices or preparing for Clearing, our university and subject league tables, along with regional insights, are here to help students navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.” 

Across the sector, on average 74% of graduates have successfully transitioned into graduate-level or professional roles, or are pursuing postgraduate education, just over a year after graduation. However, this year’s Complete University Guide shows that some universities are exceptional in this regard and, no doubt, this is also a reflection of the dedication and tenacity of their students.  

At Imperial College London, 96% of graduates have successfully transitioned into graduate-level or professional roles, or are pursuing further study. At the University of St Andrews, it is 87%, while at Queen’s University Belfast, the figure is 86%. At both Cardiff University and City St George’s, University of London, it is 84%. 

The latest Complete Universities Guide rankings reveal a dip in student continuation rates across the UK. On average, 90% of students remained on their courses a year after enrolling, down from 92% the previous year - a decline that may reflect broader challenges facing students in higher education. 

This year’s Complete University Guide reveals that London universities are accepting lower entry grades compared to last year, suggesting a more competitive recruitment environment. However, the data also shows a decline in both graduate prospects and continuation rates, with the latter falling to 89%, compared with 92% two years ago. These shifts point to mounting pressures on both students and institutions in the capital. 

Simon Emmett, Chief Executive Officer of IDP Education, said: "The rankings demonstrate the breadth of excellence in UK HE. We’re proud to provide main tables, subject tables and unique data sets to enable students to make the right choice for them.   

"And for the sector, I hope they will be used to track and drive best practice.  Factors such as course continuation rates and outcomes are important to students, the sustainability of the sector and the economy as a whole.” 

ENDS 

• Attached is a spreadsheet with the top 20 universities and a table for each of the 12 regions with the top 10.

• The team behind thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk has compiled university league tables for 30 years. Since 2007, these have been freely available online. The Guide is an autonomous division of IDP Education, global leader in education services and technology, from which, by mutual agreement, it retains its complete editorial independence.

• thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk attracts over ten million visitors each year.

• The main league table is based on ten measures: entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, research intensity, academic services spend, spending on student facilities, continuation, student-staff ratio, graduate prospects – outcomes, and graduate prospects – on track. It includes 130 institutions.

• The Performing Arts Table, previously known as the Arts, Drama & Music League Table, published since 2016, lists 14 institutions that have at least 50% of their undergraduate intake in one or more of the following subjects: cinematics and photography, performing arts, music, drama and dance.

• The 74 subject tables are based on six measures (entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, continuation, graduate prospects – outcomes and graduate prospects – on track) and include 155 universities, university colleges and specialist higher education institutions.

• All university league tables on thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk can be filtered by region and mission group (Cathedrals Group, GuildHE, MillionPlus, Russell Group, University Alliance). Tables from the current and previous years can be downloaded. All tables can also be sorted and filtered by any of the measures that comprise them.

• Criteria for inclusion in the main university league table or the subject tables can be seen on our website.

Top universities in each country of the UK:

• Cambridge University - ranked 1st

• St Andrews University - ranked 4th

• Queen’s University Belfast - ranked 24th

• Cardiff University - ranked 22nd

Top new university (established post-1992):

• University of the Arts London - ranked 34th (down five places)

Major climbers in this year’s Complete University Guide include:

• Arts University Bournemouth - ranked 61st (up 32 places)

• Norwich University of the Arts - ranked 57th (up 25 places)

• University of Chichester - ranked joint 58th (up 21 places)

• University of South Wales - ranked 77th (up 18 places)

IDP Education - The strategic partner of choice IDP Education is the global leader in connecting prospective students to institutions, offering partners a one-stop-shop of recruitment, marketing, and data services.

With our global expertise, trusted human relationships and data-driven insights, we specialise in matching universities, colleges and schools with the right students worldwide by providing innovative strategic solutions.

We understand that our client and sector partners face unique challenges. Working side-by-side with their teams, we offer customised data, consultancy, marketing, and in-country activities, designed to address their specific needs. Using our extensive data set of student behaviour, market knowledge and global reach, we deliver the necessary tools and insights for strategic planning and success.

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Trusted as a key voice for the industry, we’re creating meaningful changes, shaping the future of higher education and empowering the next generation.

For more information contact: Jessica Shepherd jessica@communicationsmanagement.co.uk 07957147308