The university has climbed five places to 21st in the national league table
Queen’s University Belfast(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Queen’s University Belfast is once again crowned the best university in Northern Ireland, according to The Times and The Sunday Times ‘Good University Guide’ 2026.
The university has climbed five places to 21st in the national league table and has also been awarded the title of University of the Year in Northern Ireland 2026.
Ulster University was named the second-best university in Northern Ireland and reached number 49 on the UK-wide list, falling four places from last year.
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For the first time in the guide’s 32-year history, both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have dropped out of the top three in the national rankings and are joint fourth.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is the No. 1 university for the second year in a row, while the University of St Andrews retains its spot in second place.
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 provides the definitive rankings for UK universities and the most comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain, making use of the latest data. It features everything you need to know about applying to university and detailed online profiles for 133 universities, covering research reputation, campus facilities, scholarships and bursaries, and nightlife.
NORTHERN IRELAND UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2026:
Northern Ireland ranking
National ranking
University
1
21
Queen’s University Belfast
2
49
Ulster University
Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “Competition to get a place at our top-ranked institutions continues to grow, leaving some lower-tariff universities with recruitment challenges. It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire.
“New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today’s students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.
“Many more undergraduates are choosing to stay at home and commute. It is why this year we have an award for the top university in each region and the best for scholarships and bursaries.”
To read the full Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, see here
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