THE University of St Andrews is the number one university in Scotland and second overall in the UK, according to The Sunday Times' annual academic rankings.
The University of St Andrews has retained its spot as the second-best university in the UK, beating out the likes of Oxford and Cambridge, with the London School of Economics and Political Science claiming the number one spot for the second year in a row.
Six Scottish universities are in the national top 30, compared with five in last year’s rankings, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Meanwhile, the University of Strathclyde claimed the title of Scottish University of the Year 2026 and is the runner-up for the UK University of the Year award.
Heriot-Watt was the runner-up for Scottish University of the Year.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Caledonian University was also the runner-up for Modern University of the Year in the UK awards.
The University of the West of Scotland has been named Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026.
For the first time in the Times’ guide's 32-year history, both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have dropped out of the top three in the national rankings and have been ranked joint fourth.
Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said the ranking points to a “consistency” and “depth of quality” across Scotland’s higher education institutions.
She said: “Scottish universities continue to perform strongly in the UK context, with six now ranked in the top 30.
“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.”
Davies added: “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 full rankings of Scottish universities according to The Sunday Times:
