University of York drops two places in the Times’ Good University Guide 2025

York came second to Sheffield for the best university in Yorkshire, losing its top spot from last year

3 months ago | UPDATED 1 month ago

The University of York has ranked 17th out of 134 UK universities, according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2025. Having ranked 15th in the 2024 league table, York has dropped two places and returned to the same position as its ranking in the 2023 table.

The Times Good University Guide is one of the most definitive rankings in the country, providing a comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain. The latest data is used to assess 134 UK universities across a variety of fields. Unis are assessed on student satisfaction, teaching quality, entry standards, research quality, sustainability, and graduate prospects, among other factors.

According to the guide, 83.1 per cent of Uni of York students receive a First or 2:1 in their degree, and the uni scored 82.7 per cent for graduate prospects. Teaching quality scored 80.7 per cent, and student experience is it 77.9 per cent. The continuation rate of students projected to move beyond first year is at a high 96.5 per cent.

Ranking 17th, York earned a total score of 769, just one point off University of Glasgow in 16th place. The university also ranked 13th out of the 24 Russell Group Universities, and notably ranked ninth in research quality at 62.8 per cent.

Regionally, York came second to Uni of Sheffield for the best university in Yorkshire, losing its top spot from last year.

York St John University has been awarded University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2025. Since 2018, the guide has included social inclusion rankings based on key measures regarding diversity and student success whilst attending uni. York St John beat runners up Anglia Ruskin University and Teesside University for the top spot.