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For sixth form students eager to start university in autumn, there’s not long to go to get their applications in to their dream schools for guaranteed consideration.
The UCAS university application deadline is fast approaching, falling on Wednesday, 29 January (at 6pm) this year. Students need to have their online forms filled out, personal statements written, and letter of recommendation from their school uploaded by this time - as well as picking out up to five universities and courses they want to study at come September.
While it is still possible to apply later, only those received by next week’s due date are guaranteed to be given equal consideration by universities - where each application is treated the same. Those received later are only considered if there are still spaces available in your chosen courses, which can often mean first come, first served.
But picking out which university to pin your hopes on is no easy task, which is why we’ve taken another look at the Sunday Times’ Good University Guide for 2025. Originally published in September, this is considered by many to be the definitive ranking of UK universities.
More than a hundred universities have been scored across a variety of metrics, using the most recent data available where possible. These include the average UCAS tariff points of new students accepted into the school; the percentage of ‘good honours’ - or firsts and 2:1 degrees - awarded; the percentage of graduates in high-level jobs or post-graduate studies after their studies ended; the amount of first-year students continuing on to second year; and many more.
Here are the UK’s top 20 universities for 2025 according to the Sunday Times, for those university hopefuls yet to submit their choice of schools:
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17. University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh shares 17th place with the University of York this year, down from 13th last year. When it comes to ‘good honours’, 91.9% of its students achieved one, while 81.3% of its recent graduates were currently in a high-level job or postgraduate study. It had a continuation rate of 96.8%. | Adobe Stock
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18. University of York
Sharing the same score as Edinburgh this year, York has still dropped down two places on its position as 15th last year. When it comes to ‘good honours’, 83.1% of its students achieved one, while 82.7% of its recent graduates were currently in a high-level job or postgraduate study. It had a continuation rate of 96.5%. | Historic England/National World
19. University of Southampton
The University of Southampton has fallen two spots, down from 17th place last year. When it comes to ‘good honours’, 86.6% of its students achieved one, while 84.3% of its recent graduates were currently in a high-level job or postgraduate study. It had a continuation rate of 97%. | Adobe Stock
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20. University of Strathclyde
Rounding out the top 20 is the University of Strathclyde, based in Glasgow. When it comes to ‘good honours’, 81.2% of its students achieved one, while 83% of its recent graduates were currently in a high-level job or postgraduate study. It had a continuation rate of 93.5%. | Adobe Stock