Uni of Greater Manchester’s Sunday Times ranking revealed

It now ranks 129th nationally.

The University of Liverpool topped the regional list, ranking 21st in the UK, followed by the University of Manchester in 23rd and Lancaster University in 26th.

Manchester Metropolitan University was named Modern University of the Year 2027 and also took the title of University of the Year for Scholarships and Bursaries.

Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “Intellectual vigour, innovation, inspiration and ambition are alive and well on university campuses across the UK.

“As I edit this guide, I never fail to be energised by the optimism, scholarship and cutting-edge discoveries that burnish our leading higher education institutions.”

Ms Davies highlighted a growing focus on employability and practical experience across the sector.

She said: “What shines through more than ever this year is an emphasis on preparing students for future careers.

“Universities have tailored their campuses to suit hands-on learning with mock court rooms, simulations of clinical settings – some even serve the public – and trading floors.

“But, for this next generation of students and the higher education sector at large, this is a challenging time with institutions struggling with their own finances, and the toughest graduate jobs market in more than a decade.

“There are hard questions to ask: can I afford it?

“What will I get from a degree?

“Is it worth it?”

In the national rankings, The University of St Andrews claimed the top spot.

Imperial College London made history by overtaking both Cambridge and Oxford to reach third place, and was named University of the Year 2027, University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2027, and Medical School of the Year 2027.

This marks only the second time in the guide’s 33-year history that Cambridge and Oxford have both fallen out of the top three, placing fourth and fifth.

The University of Greater Manchester’s 12th-place ranking in the North West puts it behind a range of regional institutions, including Edge Hill University (70th nationally), the University of Salford (81st), and Liverpool Hope University (84th).