The University of St Andrews has maintained its position as the second most highly rated university in the UK, as six Scottish universities rank in the top 30 of The Times 2026 University league table.

The University of Cambridge and Oxford were both pushed out of the top three this year, as Durham University climbed to third, and the London School of Economics and Political Science maintained its top position.

The University of Strathclyde climbed nine points in the overall rankings, to 11th place. While The University of Dundee climbed 13 points to achieve 23rd place, its surrounding Scottish unis all felt a drop, with the University of Glasgow coming in 22nd (-6), the University of Aberdeen tying for 23rd (-8), and the University of Edinburgh in 25th place (-8).

Still, this year six Scottish universities cracked the top 30, compared to just five last year.

The University of Strathclyde was named the Scottish University of the Year, and is the UK’s runner-up University of the Year, losing out to Durham. Strathclyde’s graduate employment rate was in the top 20 nationally.

Heriot-Watt University, which was ranked 39th overall, was named the runner-up Scottish University of the Year. Glasgow Caledonian University was awarded the runner-up in the Modern University of the Year awards from The Times.

The award for Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion went to The University of the West of Scotland for Social Inclusion, and was ranked 110 in the overall rankings.

Recommended reading

• Aberdeen Latest Scottish University Hit With Cash Crisis
• Universities Key to Local Economies of UK Cities
• Edinburgh Uni Staff Take Exit As £140M Cost-Cutting Begins
• Hope for Dundee Uni as Rescue Taskforce Launched

“Scottish universities continue to perform strongly in the UK context, with six now ranked in the top 30,” Helen Davies, editor of the guide said.

“The University of St Andrews has consolidated its position close to the very top of the UK table, while the University of Strathclyde is recognised for the strength of its graduate outcomes and its focus on skills and economic impact.

“In contrast to the volatility at the top of the UK rankings – where Oxford and Cambridge have both dropped out of the top three for the first time – Scotland’s results point to consistency and depth of quality across its higher education sector.

“That stability is reflected in strong performances across different types of institutions, from world-leading research universities to those driving local skills and economic regeneration.”

The rankings of Scottish Universities is provided below.