Cardiff crowned Welsh University of the Year in national rankings

Cardiff University is the No 1 university in Wales, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

It also wins Welsh University of the Year 2026. The Russell Group university has climbed four places in the national rankings, rising from 32nd last year to joint 28th, securing itself a place in the UK’s top 30.

Swansea University is the Runner-up Welsh University of the Year. Other winners in Wales include University of Wales Trinity Saint David for the University of the Year for Teaching Quality and Aberystwyth University is named Sustainable University of the Year 2026

For the first time in the guide’s 32-year history, both the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge have dropped out of the top three in the national rankings and are joint fourth. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is the No 1 university for a second year in a row, while the University of St Andrews retains its spot in second place.

Durham University has climbed into third place from fifth last year, and as a result has been named The Times and The Sunday Times’ University of the Year 2026.

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “In a very competitive top ten Durham has climbed two places in a year, which is a significant achievement. In doing so it has outdone both Oxford and Cambridge, helping to push them out of the top three in our league table for the first time in the Good University Guide’s history.

“Its stellar academic performance was boosted this year by improvements in teaching quality, and student experience. Durham also won University of the Year in the North and Northeast 2026 and runner-up University of the Year for Graduate Prospects 2026.

“Competition to get a place at our top-ranked institutions continues to grow, leaving some lower-tariff universities with recruitment challenges. It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire.

“New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today’s students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.

“Many more undergraduates are choosing to stay at home and commute. It is why this year we have an award for the top university in each region and the best for scholarships and bursaries.”

WELSH UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2026