Back to university: Which universities are best in the UK according to former students
New rankings released by University Compare have revealed the best universities in the UK for 21/22 according to students.
As part of their annual rankings, Uni Compare has ranked UK universities using reviews from current and past students.
The reviewers rate each university against a number of categories: accommodation, course quality, graduate careers, and student social life — the study also asks students if they would recommend their university to a friend.
In their 2022 rankings, Loughborough University comes out on top, climbing four places from last year’s rankings. The university was also ranked highest when it came to course quality and accommodation.
The top 10 universities in the UK ranked by students
| Rank | University | Accommodation score | Course Quality score | Student Life score | Graduate careers score |
| 1 | Loughborough University | 4.24 | 4.48 | 4.40 | 4.58 |
| 2 | Nottingham Trent University | 3.95 | 4.39 | 4.67 | 4.34 |
| 3 | University of Oxford | 4.04 | 4.38 | 4.19 | 4.71 |
| 4 | Aston University | 3.97 | 4.37 | 4.41 | 4.53 |
| 5 | University of Leeds | 4.03 | 4.26 | 4.72 | 4.24 |
| 6 | Imperial College London | 4.08 | 4.29 | 4.06 | 4.79 |
| 7 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 4.04 | 4.23 | 4.52 | 4.27 |
| 8 | University of Sheffield | 3.95 | 4.25 | 4.56 | 4.29 |
| 9 | Liverpool John Moores University | 3.86 | 4.30 | 4.51 | 4.25 |
| 10 | University of Birmingham | 4.01 | 4.21 | 4.42 | 4.27 |
The Best Universities for Course Quality, according to students
- Loughborough University
- Open University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Bangor University
- University of Oxford
The Best Universities for Accommodation, according to students
- Loughborough University
- University of Exeter
- Edge Hill University
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- Belfast Metropolitan College
The Best Universities for Student Life, according to students
- University of Leeds
- Newcastle University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Cardiff University
- University of Sheffield
The Best Universities for Graduate Careers, according to students
- Imperial College London
- University of Oxford
- University Cambridge
- University of Bath
- The Royal Veterinary College
Owen O’Neill, founder of Uni Compare, commented on this year’s rankings:
“It is an exciting time for students as they prepare to embark on a new year in a new city, and these rankings act as a way to guide students in what is a difficult decision. After completing their A-levels, they will likely have several offers, with every university offering something unique; it is essential to consider all the different factors.
“Ultimately, students will prioritise different things when going to university, but I would recommend taking your time and choose the right pathway for you.”
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