The University of Leeds has achieved its highest ranking since 2008 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
Leeds ranked 118th out of 2,191 universities worldwide, representing an improvement of five places on last year. Securing an overall score of 64.9, Leeds is 13th out of 109 UK institutions, a rise of two places.
Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “I’m proud to see the University’s continued improvement in these rankings, which highlights our excellence in teaching, research and working with industry.
“Leeds has again been recognised for its particularly strong international outlook, highlighting our impactful collaborations across the world.”
The annual THE World University Rankings are generated from five ‘pillars’: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook.
The highest scored pillar for Leeds was international outlook, with a very strong overall score of 93.6. Meanwhile, Leeds is ranked 11th in the UK for research environment and 13th for teaching.
Leeds has also performed strongly in other national and global rankings over the past year:
- The University moved up three places in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
- Leeds climbed nine places in the 2026 Guardian University Guide.
- The University rose seven places to 18th in the 2025 Daily Mail University Guide.
- It climbed two places to 21st in the 2026 Complete University Guide, with 21 subjects ranked in the UK’s top ten.
- In the QS World University Rankings, Leeds retained its position in the top 100 at 86th globally, rising to 13th among UK institutions and 13th worldwide for its International Research Network measure.
- In the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking), Leeds rose 10 places and remains within the top 200 globally.
Further information
View the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 on the dedicated website.
For more information contact the University of Leeds press office at pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk.