Cardiff University has kept its long-standing crown as the highest-ranking university in Wales in The Times and Sunday Times Good University 2025. Despite being the highest-ranking institution in Wales, however, Wales’ only Russell Group university slipped seven places to 32nd overall.
No university in Wales makes the top 30 UK rankings this year. Aberystwyth and Bangor also also fell in the league table.
Swansea University, judged second-best in Wales, is nonetheless named Welsh University of the Year 2025 in the same list. It took the honour thanks to its consistent focus on career-building, a seafront student experience, and a four-place year-on-year rise. It also broke into the top 300 QS World University Rankings with a leap of 118 places. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
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Cardiff Metropolitan University saw a double-digit rise thanks to its expansion into low-carbon futures and environmental sustainability. It is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2030.
Welsh ranking | National ranking | University |
1 | 32 | Cardiff University |
2 | 37 | Swansea University |
3 | 48 | Aberystwyth University |
4 | 64 | Bangor University |
5 | 66= | Cardiff Metropolitan University |
6 | 94= | University of South Wales |
7 | 110 | University of Wales Trinity St David |
8 | 115 | Wrexham University |
The full list of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 award winners:
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 says it 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 information on applying to university and online profiles for 134 universities covering research reputation to campus facilities, scholarships and bursaries, and nightlife.
Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “The best universities — whether they were founded in the 15th century or 2005 — are local and global powerhouses of intellectual thought and creativity, from the arts to science, that can power economic regeneration and lead the way to a better life. But what and where to study — and how to pay for it — has never been tougher. This is where our comprehensive guide can help.
“This year we have tweaked our methodology to keep up with contemporary concerns around climate change and careers and have added in a sustainability metric, teaming up with People & Planet, and boosted the weighting of graduate prospects. The higher education sector is facing unprecedented challenges from debates on free speech to financial stability but it is important to remember the force for good that going to university can be. See how the universities compare subject by subject, a guide on campus life, and what scholarships and bursaries may be on offer online.”
A fully searchable website with 70 subject tables, full interactive tables, and additional features is now online here while a 96-page supplement will be published with The Sunday Times on September 22.
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