7 UK University Leaderboards (2026)
Pick a metric. Each leaderboard ranks UK universities by a single, verifiable outcome — not a blended composite. Built from HESA Discover Uni, the OfS National Student Survey, HMRC LEO graduate-earnings data and REF 2021 — the same sources the official league tables use, surfaced individually so you can weight what matters to you.
Best UK universities for graduate salary
Median graduate earnings five years after graduation (HMRC LEO data, all subjects), ranked by university.
Source: HMRC LEO 5-year (via HESA Discover Uni)
Best UK universities for graduate employment
Percentage of graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation, averaged across courses.
Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes (via HESA Discover Uni)
Best UK universities for teaching quality (NSS)
Final-year undergraduates rating teaching on their course positively (National Student Survey).
Source: Office for Students National Student Survey
Best UK universities for assessment and feedback (NSS)
NSS Assessment & Feedback positivity — how clearly students rate the marking and feedback they receive.
Source: Office for Students National Student Survey
Best UK universities for student voice (NSS)
NSS Student Voice positivity — how seriously students feel their feedback is taken at each university.
Source: Office for Students National Student Survey
Best UK universities for student continuation
Percentage of students continuing into Year 2 — a leading indicator of student satisfaction and course fit.
Source: HESA Discover Uni continuation rates
Top UK universities by research power
Research power = FTE × percentage of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
Source: REF 2021 Overall profile