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.
5. University of Dundee
The University of Dundee has moved up the UK rankings by three, though it remains Scotland’s fifth best university for 2027. | Lisa Ferguson
6. University of Aberdeen
The first Scottish institution to slide down the rankings in the Times Good University Guide 2027 is the University of Aberdeen, which has slid from fourth to fifth best in Scotland, and down a further five places in the UK overall. | Getty / Canva
7. University of Stirling
For 2027, the University of Stirling has climbed a massive 18 places from last year. Previously number 11, it is now ranked at number seven in Scotland — and at 37 overall in the UK. | Adobe Stock
8. Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh remains as Scotland’s eighth best institution in the Times Good University Guide 2027. While it has fallen by two in national rankings, it was named as the Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion. | Contributed