University of St Andrews outperforms Oxbridge and Cambridge – again - in UK guide

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The University of St Andrews is the number one in Scotland, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

It continued its pole position north of the border, but slipped to number two in the UK rankings behind the London School Of Economics And Political Science which topped the poll fore the very first time.

St Andrews again outperformed both Oxbridge and Cambridge for the third time in the guide’s 31-year history of domestic UK university ranking. It was also named University of the Year for Student Experience 2025.

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The University of Edinburgh slipped four places to rank joint 14th, while the University of Strathclyde is consistently the top modern university in Scotland.

Students from the University of St Andrews walk along the harbour wall wearing their famous red gowns. (Pic: TSPL)Students from the University of St Andrews walk along the harbour wall wearing their famous red gowns. (Pic: TSPL)
Students from the University of St Andrews walk along the harbour wall wearing their famous red gowns. (Pic: TSPL)

Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “The best universities — whether they were founded in the 15th century or 2005 — are local and global powerhouses of intellectual thought and creativity, from the arts to science, that can power economic regeneration and lead the way to a better life. But what and where to study — and how to pay for it — has never been tougher. This is where our comprehensive guide can help.

“This year we have tweaked our methodology to keep up with contemporary concerns around climate change and careers and have added in a sustainability metric, teaming up with People & Planet, and boosted the weighting of graduate prospects.

“The higher education sector is facing unprecedented challenges from debates on free speech to financial stability, but it is important to remember the force for good that going to university can be. See how the universities compare subject by subject, a guide on campus life, and what scholarships and bursaries may be on offer online.”

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