UK's best university for 2026 revealed — and it's not Oxford or Cambridge

The UK’s higher education system, long dominated by Oxford and Cambridge, has seen a major shift in the 2026 rankings. The London School of Economics has emerged as the top university, while Durham University secured third place. For the first time in more than three decades, Oxford and Cambridge both fell out of the top three in The Times UK Universities Rankings 2026.

London School of Economics leads rankings
According to The Times report, the London School of Economics secured the top position with a perfect score of 1000. The University of St Andrews followed in second place with 933 points, while Durham University ranked third with 906.

Oxford and Cambridge, historically fixtures at the top, were jointly placed at the fourth position with 903 points each. This marks the first time in 32 years that neither university appeared in the top three.

Top 10 UK universities in 2026

The rankings are based on factors including teaching quality, employment outcomes, and sustainability measures. As per The Times report, analysts noted that Durham’s rise has challenged long-held perceptions of being an “Oxbridge reject” option, while LSE’s performance reflects its strong academic and career-focused outcomes.

The 2026 table signals an evolving landscape in UK higher education, where universities beyond Oxford and Cambridge are strengthening their positions in terms of teaching standards and graduate prospects.