The wait is over…
The 2027 QS World University Rankings have officially been released.
Spoiler: there’s been some exciting movement.
Thinking of studying in the UK? These standings could determine the next three or more years of your life.
Read on to find out what UK universities scored highest, and what these results mean for this 2027 student cohort.
What are the QS World University Rankings?
The QS World University Rankings are a comprehensive breakdown of the world’s best and most recommended universities.
Simply put, it’s a comparative list of the leading institutions to help you see what global institutions offer the top standard of education, and decide where to study.
Every year, we’re reminded of how vibrant the global academic world increasingly becomes. It’s brilliant to see that first-class teaching and research is happening at universities pretty much everywhere.
Who’s behind the QS Rankings?
Quacquarelli Symonds is the world’s leading provider of specialist higher education, careers information and advice. QS has pioneered the university rankings metric since their inception back in 1990. Their mission is to help students, regardless of where they’re from, achieve their full potential through education and career development.
Why is QS so highly regarded?
They’ve not just pulled their rankings out of thin air. QS gathers insights from over 150,000 academics and 100,000 employers worldwide, and analyses millions of academic papers. They look at things like academic reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, and more.
Today, the QS World University Rankings have become one of the most accurate and trusted resources for students, universities and governments globally.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the UK universities featuring in the Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings.
UK Universities in the 2027 QS World University Rankings (Top 100)
Imperial College London – 2nd
University of Oxford – 4th
University of Cambridge – 6th
University College London – 8th
University of Edinburgh – 35th
King’s College London – 37th
University of Manchester – 40th
University of Bristol – 57th
London School of Economics and Political Science – 62nd
University of Warwick – 68th
University of Birmingham – 68th
University of Leeds – 77th
University of Glasgow – 80th
University of Sheffield – 82nd
University of Southampton – 85th
Durham University – 87th
University of Nottingham – 97th
Notable table movements
At first glance, it may seem like the list is largely unchanged from 2026.
The yearly leading legends like Imperial College London (2nd), Oxford (4th), Cambridge (6th) and UCL (8th) remain unbudged in the Top 10. King’s College London (37th) and University of Edinburgh (35th) have also stayed firmly in the Top 50.
However, there have been some exciting changes for UK institutions.
University of Warwick has jumped up to 68th place, ranking six places higher than last year. University of Birmingham has also made an incredible leap, rising from 76th to share the 68th podium with Warwick.
University of Southampton now ranks 85th compared to 87th last year. Even more impressively, the University of Sheffield has risen ten places, now sitting comfortably at 82nd.
Once again, the QS standings serve as a reminder of the world-leading standard of education in the UK. 17 UK institutions have ranked in the Top 100, showcasing the variety of institutions, programmes and cultural diversity students find studying here.
If you’re an international student contemplating moving to the UK, we hope the QS Rankings give you confidence that that you’re making a well-informed decision.
What do the Rankings mean for you?
Here at Vita Student, we see a surge in bookings as soon as the QS Rankings for the year are announced.
Why?
Students are realising more and more that their living situation is what truly fuels their studies. Our all-in living service gives you the best possible start.
Enjoy weekday breakfast, 24/7 gym access, bookable study spaces, career workshops, and all your bills included in your rental price. We’re all-in around here. It’s our way of taking care of the unnecessary stresses of student life, so you can focus on the things that really matter.
Plus, we have buildings in the UK’s leading university cities, including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and more, putting you only a short walk away from campus.
Looking for the best student living experience?
Take a closer look at the UK and Spain’s top-rated student accommodation.
