A Scottish university has been named as the best overall in the UK in the 2027 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
As well as securing its position as the top university in Scotland, St Andrews has been ranked as number one in the UK and the runner-up for teaching quality. It claims the spot over previous victor the London School of Economics and Political Science, which has slid to second place, with Cambridge and Oxford both out of the top three for a second year in a row.
The top ten includes a second Scottish institution, with Glasgow’s University of Strathclyde having climbed two places to be named as ninth best in the UK and the Runner-up Scottish University of the Year. Also highlighted in this year’s guide is Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh which was named Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion.
Released annually, the Times base their league tables on data including student satisfaction, teaching quality, student experience, graduate prospects and more to provide a rounded assessment of each institution.
Based on the Times Good University Guide 2027, here are Scotland’s best - and worst - universities ranked.
1. University of St Andrews — Best in the UK Overall
The University of St Andrews has been named as the best in Scotland and the top university overall in the UK in the Times Good University Guide 2027. In addition, it has been named as Runner-up of the Year for Teaching Quality. | Canva
2. University of Strathclyde — Runner-up Scottish University of the Year
In second place for Scotland, and sitting at number nine in the UK’s overall top ten, is the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow which is Scotland’s runner-up for uni of the year. | Adobe Stock
3. University of Glasgow
In third place is the University of Glasgow, which has climbed seven places since last year and is now 15th best overall in the UK. | Getty / Canva
4. University of Edinburgh
Also having climbed the rankings by several positions in the Times Good University Guide 2027 is the University of Edinburgh. Scotland’s fourth best university, it is now up eight places from last year sitting at 17 nationally. | Adobe Stock