Three Scottish universities have been named among the UK’s best, according to a new international league table.
Remaining in the top spot globally for a tenth consecutive year is Oxford University, as established by the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
More than 100 universities in the UK were ranked in the annual report, which saw the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London making up the top three.
While no Scottish universities were able to beat some of the more highly placed English institutions, three did establish themselves within the UK’s 21 best universities for 2026.
So without further ado, here are the top 21 universities in the UK - with three in Scotland - according to the 2026 THE World University Rankings.
5. University of Edinburgh
Coming in as fifth best in the UK – and best in Scotland, overall – is the University of Edinburgh which finds itself also among the top 10 in Europe and the top 30 globally in the THE World University Rankings 2026. | Adobe Stock
6. King's College London
Just missing out on the top five is King’s College London, which moves into sixth place for 2026. | Adobe Stock
7. London School of Economics
LSE is also among the UK's ten best universities for 2026. | Tupungato - stock.adobe.com
8. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester climbs several places in the THE 2026 UK university rankings, sitting as the country’s eighth top university. | Adobe Stock