Oxford and Cambridge Miss Top Three in University Rankings for First Time
Oxford and Cambridge have failed to reach the top three in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time in its 32-year history, fuelling debate about admissions policies in higher education.
The 2026 edition ranked the London School of Economics in first place for the second year running, with the University of St Andrews second and Durham University third. Oxford and Cambridge tied for fourth.
Durham was also named University of the Year 2026, praised for improvements in teaching quality and student experience. Editor Helen Davies said its performance had «outdone both Oxford and Cambridge.»
Critics linked the shift to government-backed measures that give disadvantaged students lower entry offers, even in competitive subjects. Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University called it a «misguided attempt at equality,» arguing it risked admitting students unprepared for top-level study.
Other rankings have shown different results. The Guardian University Guide 2026 placed Oxford first and Cambridge third, while the Daily Mail’s guide put Imperial College London top. In the Times list, Imperial ranked sixth, followed by Bath, Warwick, UCL and Bristol.
Regional winners included LSE for London, Durham for the North East, Cambridge for the East, Warwick for the Midlands, Bath for the South West, Oxford for the South East and Queen’s Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Durham’s vice-chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien said the university was «an outstanding place to study» and highlighted the career prospects of its graduates.
