Chat University Tier System

University rankings are flawed. There is no difference between 2nd and 3rd place when you are looking for a job post graduation. There is a difference across the tiers. This list will change overtime as the reputations of universities vary, so be sure to check back throughout your university selection process!

Highly selective, world-renowned for research, strong global rankings, and exceptional graduate employability.

University of Oxford

University of Cambridge

Imperial College London

London School of Economics (LSE)

University College London (UCL)

Highly respected, strong research output, competitive entry, and strong employment prospects.

University of Bath

University of Manchester

King's College London (KCL)

University of Warwick

University of Edinburgh

University of St Andrews

Durham University

University of Nottingham

University of Birmingham

University of Bristol

Well-regarded universities with good research, but slightly lower selectivity and global influence.

University of Exeter

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

Newcastle University

University of York

University of Liverpool

Cardiff University

University of Leeds

University of Glasgow

University of Southampton

University of Sheffield

University of Leicester

University of Surrey

University of East Anglia (UEA)

University of Strathclyde

Loughborough University

Lancaster University

Respectable universities with some strong departments but overall less prestigious.

Heriot-Watt University

University of Aberdeen

University of Dundee

University of Stirling

University of Kent

University of Reading

University of Essex

University of Sussex

Swansea University

University of Hull

University of Plymouth

University of Huddersfield

Nottingham Trent University

Oxford Brookes University

University of the West of Scotland

University of Brighton

University of Portsmouth

Northumbria University

Aberystwyth University

Bangor University

Glasgow Caledonian University

Robert Gordon University

Aston University

Keele University

City University of London

Lower entry requirements, weaker research output, and weaker employment prospects.

De Montfort University

Edge Hill University

University of West London

University of Greenwich

University of Wolverhampton

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Chester

University of Lincoln

University of Worcester

University of Derby

University of Northampton

University of Bedfordshire

University of Sunderland

University of Winchester

University of Gloucestershire

Teesside University

University of Westminster

Liverpool John Moores University

Birmingham City University

York St John University

University of Chichester

University of Bolton

Canterbury Christ Church University

Staffordshire University

University of Cumbria

University of South Wales

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Ulster University

Queen Margaret University

Abertay University

Falmouth University

Minimal research, low entry requirements, and weaker employment prospects.

BPP University

London Metropolitan University

London South Bank University

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

University of Suffolk

Glyndwr University

Buckinghamshire New University

Ravensbourne University London

Regent's University London

Southampton Solent University

Plymouth Marjon University

Harper Adams University

SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)

Bishop Grosseteste University

Hartpury University

University of Law