Rank University Total score 1 London School of Economics and Political Science 1000 2 University of St Andrews 933 3 Durham University 906 4= University of Cambridge 903 4= University of Oxford 903 6 Imperial College London 890 7 University of Bath 861 8 University of Warwick 839 9 University College London 837 10 University of Bristol 814The UK’s higher education system, long dominated by Oxford and Cambridge , has seen a major shift in the 2026 rankings. The London School of Economics has emerged as the top university, while Durham University secured third place. For the first time in more than three decades, Oxford and Cambridge both fell out of the top three in The Times UK Universities Rankings 2026.According to The Times report, the London School of Economics secured the top position with a perfect score of 1000. The University of St Andrews followed in second place with 933 points, while Durham University ranked third with 906.Oxford and Cambridge, historically fixtures at the top, were jointly placed at the fourth position with 903 points each. This marks the first time in 32 years that neither university appeared in the top three.The rankings are based on factors including teaching quality, employment outcomes, and sustainability measures.

Source: The Times September 22, 2025 11:10 UTC