Oxford loses top 3 university ranking for the first time Date: September 19, 2025 Author: Jamie McKane --- The University of Oxford has, for the first time, slipped out of the top three universities in the UK according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2026. Key Changes in Rankings Durham University has overtaken both Oxford and Cambridge to claim 3rd place, earning the title of The Times University of the Year. Oxford and Cambridge are tied at 4th/5th place, declining mainly due to lower scores in the latest National Student Survey. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) remains the number one university in the UK for the second consecutive year. University of St Andrews holds 2nd place again, having high rankings in student experience and teaching quality but falling short on graduate prospects and research quality. Factors Contributing to Durham’s Rise Durham significantly improved by 30 places in student evaluations of teaching quality. The university emphasizes student growth and strong career prospects, as highlighted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien: > “Durham is an outstanding place to study. We ensure that every student can grow and thrive here. Our loyal, engaged alumni are testament to the impressive career prospects that await our graduates.” Top 20 UK Universities by The Times University Rankings 2026 | Rank | University | |-------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | London School of Economics and Political Science | | 2 | University of St Andrews | | 3 | Durham University | | 4/5 | University of Cambridge | | 4/5 | University of Oxford | | 6 | Imperial College London | | 7 | University of Bath | | 8 | University of Warwick | | 9 | University College London | | 10 | University of Bristol | | 11 | University of Strathclyde | | 12 | Loughborough University | | 13 | University of Sheffield | | 14 | University of Exeter | | 15 | Lancaster University | | 16 | University of Birmingham | | 17 | University of Southampton | | 18 | University of Liverpool | | 19 | King’s College London | | 20 | University of York | --- Related article: UK to chemically suppress hundreds more criminals --- This update marks a significant reshuffling at the top tier of UK universities, highlighting evolving student priorities and institutional performance metrics.