University rises in the Guardian University Guide 2026
¾«¶«´«Ã½ has risen 11 places in the Guardian University Guide 2026, securing 62nd position out of 123 institutions. Within Wales, the University has also improved its standing, moving up one place to joint 4th alongside Aberystwyth University, behind Swansea, Cardiff, and the University of South Wales.
The methodology and indicators for the 2026 rankings remain broadly consistent with the previous year. Following the challenges in the 2025 edition caused by limited 2022/23 HESA data, this year’s guide is largely restored and draws mainly on 2023/24 data, with the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS) underpinning student satisfaction results.
¾«¶«´«Ã½ recorded gains across both NSS-related student satisfaction indicators. While ‘Satisfied with Assessment’ did not match the sector’s pace, leading to a loss of places, ‘Satisfied with Teaching’ improved significantly, with ¾«¶«´«Ã½ climbing 18 positions. Four subjects appear among the top ten in the subject tables:
- Product Design (1st of 41)
- Animal Science and Agriculture (9th of 20)
- Midwifery (9th of 54)
- Philosophy (10th of 42)
Languages and Linguistics (12th), Health Professions (14th), and Law (18th of 110) also ranked highly, just outside the top ten.
Additionally, some subjects are ranked in the top 10% in the individual indicators:
- % Satisfied with Assessment: Product Design, Philosophy, Midwifery, History
- % Satisfied with Teaching: Product Design, Philosophy
- Average Entry Tariff: Health Professions, General (Adult) Nursing
- Continuation: Education
- Career Prospects (% in High-Skilled Employment): General (Adult) Nursing
- Student-Staff Ratio: Sociology and Social Policy, Earth and Marine Sciences
- Value Added Score: Product Design, Languages & Linguistics, Sociology and Social Policy, Education
Visit for the full breakdown.