Lancaster University named best in region by Sunday Times

It has also been revealed as one of the best universities in the UK, ranking at number 14.

The university, which was attended by several well-known faces including James May (Top Gear) and Ranvir Singh (journalist), has consistently featured in the guide.

The info lab at Lancaster University (Image: NQ)

It was also ranked best in the north west last year and was 12th on the table nationally.

The university’s teaching quality received a 77.6 per cent rating with 86.1 per cent of students achieving a first or 2:1 grade.

Edge Hill University, in Ormskirk, is ranked 69th on the list nationally and fifth in the north west.

The University of Central Lancashire, which has campuses in Preston and Burnley, sits at 111th in the national rankings and 11th in the north west.

Lancaster is currently in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide 2024 and 11th in the UK and top in the north west in The Guardian league table.  In addition, Lancaster was named as University of the Year in the Educate North awards 2023.

Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield said: “Lancaster’s performance in the three major UK league tables demonstrates that we are an academic powerhouse that combines high quality teaching and research with a strong sense of community and belonging. We compete with the very best universities, with our strengths in teaching, research and the student experience reflecting our distinctive offer.”

Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said:  “The higher education landscape has never been tougher. It is more competitive to get a place at many of our top institutions; the cost of attending university has soared, leaving graduates with extraordinary debt; and in many cases campus life still bears the scars of the pandemic. Meanwhile lecturers are on strike and the marking crisis is a running scandal.  

“It means any prospective student, parent or carer needs to think hard about whether university is the right choice, and then where to study and what subject. It’s where this guide — our 30th edition — is here to help. Our online version has so much more on how the universities compare subject by subject, a guide on campus life, and what scholarships and bursaries may be on offer.  

“We are here to champion the ambitious work of our first-class universities, and the aspirations of any student of any age who wants to keep on learning.”