St Andrews is UK’s best university

The University of St Andrews has been named the UK’s best university in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027 published today (Friday 18 September 2026). It is the third time in six years the Scottish institution has secured the top spot in the UK’s longest-running university league table.

St Andrews places ahead of The London School of Economics, Imperial College, Cambridge and Oxford in the Guide’s 2027 top five. It is also named Scottish University of the Year and runner-up UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality for 2027.

St Andrews Schools also performed well in the subject rankings with five subjects ranked top in the UK: English, Modern Languages, History, Art History and Physics. All subjects at St Andrews were ranked in the top six in the UK.

The Guide attributes St Andrews’ success to high student satisfaction scores, research quality, demanding entry tariffs, an international outlook, and the strong prospects of its graduates.

In a message to all students and staff, St Andrews’ Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, said:

“Each one of you has contributed to this.

“From our demanding entry tariffs to the strength of our world-leading teaching and research, through the achievements of our students and graduates to the quality of the professional services which support our academic mission, St Andrews has proved not only that small is beautiful, it can be consistently sector-leading.

“I hope our community can enjoy this moment. It comes at a time when our universities are facing unprecedented pressure and critique, when the value of higher education is questioned more aggressively than it ever has been, and when the world appears to need, more than ever, the independent, critical thinkers our universities protect, nurture and refine.

“Today, our number one ranking celebrates what makes you and St Andrews different, but no university succeeds alone.

“We are one part of a sisterhood of universities whose contribution to the public good has never mattered more, but many of whose members are experiencing the trauma of redundancies, of diminished support for students, and a hesitancy in government while our shared strengths face erosion.

“We must use our agency as individuals, and collectively as the UK’s leading university, to not only defend our sector and advocate for better state support, but to describe and design the changes that we ourselves must undergo to retain the confidence of a society which we exist to serve.”

Amy Elvins, President of Union Affairs with the University of St Andrews Students’ Association, added:

“As the President Team, we are delighted that our institution has been recognised in this way. This reflects the dedication of our staff, the excellence of our academic provisions, and the outstanding achievements of our students. We are particularly grateful for the strong partnership between the Students’ Association and the University, which plays a vital role in creating a supportive and enriching environment for our students.

“We are constantly inspired by how we come together from all corners of the globe to create a vibrant community where everyone has a place through societies, sports clubs, and our rich traditions. While our success is built on these strong partnerships, we should not rest on our laurels and must continue to make the student experience a guiding factor in all our university activities.”