Six surprising universities are selected by education experts as the best in the UK in 2026

Times Higher Education has announced the shortlist for 2026’s University of the Year, and only two Russell Group universities made the list.

As part of the THE Awards 2026, a panel of education experts, which typically includes former vice-chancellors and the heads of exam boards, have assessed which universities are the best in the UK. According to Times Higher Education, the University of the Year award goes to “an institution demonstrating exceptional performance during the 2024/2025 academic year”. The judges factor in “research, teaching, access and business performance”, as well as “evidence of bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives”.

Here are the six UK universities the experts shortlisted for 2026’s University of the Year. The winner will be announced at the ceremony on 26th November in Birmingham.

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham’s Student Union

This is one of only two Russell Group universities to make the shortlist. Birmingham Uni‘s “Education 125” initiative introduced a new curriculum model, and the five-year 125th Anniversary Chairs and Fellows programme aims to recruit 125 researchers and senior academics.

De Montfort University (DMU)

This uni in Leicester seems to have impressed the judges with its block teaching strategy. Structuring programmes in this way is meant to give students more flexibility, so they can balance work and caring responsibilities.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Apparently, a “culture of collaboration and shared purpose has helped to establish Manchester Met as one of the UK’s most improved universities”.

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Manchester Met Uni did shoot up from 67th place in the Complete University Guide’s 2023 league table to 53rd place in the new rankings for 2027.

Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary University of London

This Russell Group uni is conducting lots of medical research, including a long-term population genetics study, and development of a “natural weight loss pill”.

Robert Gordon University (RGU)

This is the only Scottish university to be nominated this year. RGU has a strong emphasis on employability. The uni runs Graduate Apprenticeships. The Startup Accelerator programme for entrepreneurs has contributed £17 million to the Scottish economy. 

SOAS University of London

This university had financial problems in 2019. However, according to its submission to Times Higher Education, it has “undergone a decisive transformation, delivering consecutive surpluses and establishing financial resilience, enabling confident investment in its future”.

A third of international postgraduate students now get scholarships.

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