Scottish universities feature prominently when it comes to the best places to study in the UK - with one regularly contesting the top of league tables alongside the highly-prestigious pairing of Oxford and Cambridge.
All of the universities in the UK have been ranked from lowest to highest in the latest 2025 league table, with one Scottish institution narrowly missing out on coming top for the third year in a row.
The Guardian looked at a range of factors to come up with the list, including student satisfaction, the ratio of students to staff, spending and career prospects.
And several of Scotland’s universities experienced a significant change in their placing compared to the 2024 list, with several modern institutions enjoying a sharp climb in the rankings.
Every university on the list has received a score out of 100, with the lowest in the UK - Bedfordshire - returning a mark of 29.
Here are the best of the best when it comes to Scotland, with all 14 of the country’s main universities listed in ranking order.
5. University of Strathclyde
The highest ranked modern university in Scotland from the Guardian guide, Strathclyde has placed 17th overall - down one position on last year. The institution achieved a score of 67.2 out of 100 | Contributed
6. Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University has ranked 46th overall amongst UK institutions in The Guardian's rankings, down six spots from the 2023 league table. The placing ranks it as the sixth highest university in Scotland, with a score out of 100 of 59.7 | Contributed
7. Dundee University
Ranking seventh highest among Scottish universities, Dundee has placed 52nd overall in the UK league table produced by The Guardian, up a very respectable 14 places on last year. It achieved a score out of 100 of 58.6 | Contributed
8. Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has enjoyed a significant rise in The Guardian's rankings, placing 66th overall in the rankings for the UK - a climb of 19 places on last year. The result ranks it eighth highest amongst Scottish universities with a score of 55 | Contributed