The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026: The Yorkshire universities that made the list including a new entry
The Times and The Sunday Times has announced its top 16 universities in the North and North East - and 12 are based in Yorkshire including a new entry.
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 table has been published and for the first time in the guide’s 32-year history the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge have dropped out of the top three and are in joint fourth position in the rankings.
Durham University has been named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2026 and in the main academic rankings it has climbed from fifth to third place.
The University of Sheffield has been nationally ranked at 13th place, one above its ranking from last year. It also wins University of the Year for Student Experience 2026.
The Teesside University is a new entry on the list as it hasn’t been on it for the last two years.
The editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, Helen Davies, said: “In a very competitive top ten Durham has climbed two places in a year, which is a significant achievement. In doing so it has outdone both Oxford and Cambridge, helping to push both of them out of the top three in our league table for the first time in the Good University Guide’s history.
“Its stellar academic performance was boosted this year by improvements in teaching quality, and student experience. Durham also won University of the Year in the North and Northeast 2026 and runner-up University of the Year for Graduate Prospects 2026.
“Competition to get a place at our top-ranked institutions continues to grow, leaving some lower-tariff universities with recruitment challenges.
“Many more undergraduates are choosing to stay at home and commute. It is why this year we have an award for the top university in each region and the best for scholarships and bursaries.
“It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire.
“New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today’s students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.”
Where Yorkshire universities ranked in the North and North East and national rankings
University of Sheffield
North and North East ranking: 2
National ranking: 13
University of York
North and North East ranking: 3
National ranking: 20
University of Leeds
North and North East ranking: 4
National ranking: 26
University of Hull
North and North East ranking: 7
National ranking: 60
Leeds Beckett University
North and North East ranking: 8
National ranking: 83
Teesside University
North and North East ranking: 9
National ranking: 84=
University of Bradford
North and North East ranking: 10
National ranking: 86
Leeds Trinity University
North and North East ranking: 11
National ranking: 90=
Sheffield Hallam University
North and North East ranking: 12
National ranking: 95
University of Huddersfield
North and North East ranking: 13
National ranking: 102
Leeds Arts University
North and North East ranking: 14
National ranking: 103
York St John University
North and North East ranking: 16
National ranking: 112
To look at the entire list visit The Times and The Sunday Times website.