Middlesex University leads new 2026 student rankings focused on course quality and careers support
Latest student-led rankings assess 209 English universities across key experience areas including course quality, student life, and employability outcomes.
A new set of student-led rankings for 2026 has placed Middlesex University at the top of a national league table assessing 209 institutions across England. Based on 28,430 verified student reviews, the rankings evaluate five core categories: accommodation, course quality, student social life, graduate careers, and likelihood to recommend.
The annual table is compiled by Uni Compare, an online platform that aggregates student feedback alongside official data to offer insights into the UK university experience. This year’s findings highlight strong performance across northern universities, high social engagement scores, and variable support in career services.
Middlesex University leads with an overall score of 4.23, followed closely by Liverpool John Moores University (4.22) and Nottingham Trent University (4.21). Student recommendation rates across the top 10 range from 95 percent to 100 percent, with Newcastle University achieving full endorsement.
Methodology rooted in student feedback
The rankings use a hybrid scoring system that combines qualitative student reviews with quantitative data from HESA and KIS datasets. Submissions via Uni Compare’s platform undergo verification checks, including CAPTCHA and IP monitoring, to ensure authenticity. Institutions require a minimum number of verified reviews to qualify for inclusion.
The final scores balance review averages with volume, increasing reliability for universities with larger datasets. The overall score reflects a composite average across accommodation, course quality, student social life, and graduate careers.
Top performers and key trends
Middlesex University earns its top placement with strong ratings in course quality (4.43) and graduate careers support (4.23), alongside 96 percent student recommendation. Liverpool John Moores scores highest for social experience (4.38), while Nottingham Trent University offers strong performance in both social life (4.42) and course quality (4.33).
Newcastle University ties in fourth with Edge Hill University, both earning 4.16 overall. Newcastle stands out with the highest student social rating (4.48) and 100 percent recommendation rate, while Edge Hill leads in accommodation (4.3).
Top 10 Universities in England – 2026 Rankings
Middlesex University – Overall: 4.23 | Recommended by 96%
Liverpool John Moores University – Overall: 4.22 | Recommended by 97%
Nottingham Trent University – Overall: 4.21 | Recommended by 98%
Newcastle University – Overall: 4.16 | Recommended by 100%
Edge Hill University – Overall: 4.16 | Recommended by 98%
University of Liverpool – Overall: 4.15 | Recommended by 99%
University of Derby – Overall: 4.15 | Recommended by 96%
Leeds Beckett University – Overall: 4.08 | Recommended by 99%
The University of Salford – Overall: 4.05 | Recommended by 98%
University of Sheffield – Overall: 4.03 | Recommended by 95%
Owen O’Neill, founder of Uni Compare, comments: “What stands out this year is just how competitive the top positions are. The top universities’ scores are separated by just hundredths of points, which shows the high standard across England's universities.
“The rankings reveal what students are actually experiencing day-to-day, from the quality of their accommodation to how well they're being prepared for their careers. The recommendation rates tell a compelling story too — when 95% to 100% of students say they'd recommend their university, that speaks volumes.”
