Archive · 13 Sep 2025
Guardian University Guide 2025: Oxford Retains Top Spot
The Guardian newspaper has released its list of the best universities in the UK for 2025.
Oxford University is still number one, just like last year.
St Andrews came in second place, beating Cambridge.
The University of the Arts London (UAL) surprised everyone by making it into the top ten.
The rankings are based on how happy students are with their classes, how many students drop out, and what they do after they graduate.
Each university is also ranked separately for different subjects.
For example, the London School of Economics is best for Accounting and Finance.
The University of Oxford is ranked as the top university in the UK.
The University of St Andrews ranked second, ahead of Cambridge.
The University of the Arts London (UAL) made it into the top ten.
The Guardian rankings consider student satisfaction and graduate outcomes.
Subject-specific rankings were also released.
- Who
- The Guardian
- What
- Released the 2025 University Guide rankings.
- When
- Released today.
- Where
- United Kingdom (UK).
- Why
- To highlight the performance of UK universities.
- Ranking Source
- The Guardian University Guide 2025
- Top University
- University of Oxford
- 2nd Ranked University
- University of St Andrews
- UAL Ranking
- Top Ten
- Key Factors
- Teaching satisfaction, student dropout rates, graduate outcomes