- University of Sheffield named University of the Year for Student Experience by The Times and Sunday Times as part of their Good University Guide 2026 ranking
- Annual league table also ranked the University amongst the best in the UK at 13th place
- Award follows consistent positive rankings for the University, including being ranked within the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026, top of the Russell Group for the third year in a row in the National Student Survey (NSS) and amongst the top universities in the UK by The Guardian’s University Guide 2026
The University of Sheffield has been named University of the Year for Student Experience by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
The prestigious annual ranking also saw the University rising to 13th place in the UK, a rise of one place from the previous year.
The award cements the University’s consistent commendations for its student experience, including being named University of the Year for Student Experience by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024 and University of the Year, Best Students' Union, and Best Student Life at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, driven by positive feedback on the quality of teaching, academic support, and mental wellbeing highlighted in the National Student Survey (NSS). Students have regularly praised the University’s welcoming community, the strong support provided by the Students' Union, the excellent range of facilities, and Sheffield’s friendly atmosphere for helping create an outstanding university experience.
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 includes everything prospective students need to know about applying to university and detailed online profiles for 133 universities, covering research reputation, campus facilities, scholarships and bursaries, and nightlife.
Professor Mary Vincent, Vice-President of Education at the University of Sheffield, said: “When students feel a genuine sense of belonging, challenge, and support, truly transformative learning happens — and that’s what we strive for every day at the University of Sheffield. Being named University of the Year for Student Experience by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, as well as ranked 13th best university overall in the UK, is powerful recognition of the culture we’ve built together. It reflects not only the hard work of our staff, but also the voice, energy, and partnership of our students in shaping an experience that goes beyond the lecture theatre.”
The rankings are based on an analysis of student satisfaction with teaching quality and their student experience, entry standards, research quality, sustainability, and graduate prospects. Since 2018 the guide also includes social inclusion rankings for universities in England and Wales, with a separate table for Scottish rankings. The tables are based on key measures to reflect the diversity of their intake and subsequent success when attending university.
The award follows consistent recognition for the University’s world-class offering. In June the University of Sheffield was ranked within the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the following month, the University was ranked top of Russell Group for third year in National Student Survey (NSS), with Sheffield’s Students’ Union ranked the best Students’ Union among all UK universities. The University was also rated top in the Russell Group for teaching across a range of subjects in the NSS.
Earlier this week, the University was also ranked 16th overall in the UK by The Guardian’s University Guide 2026, as well as among the top 10 places in the UK to study 12 different subjects.
To read the guide in full, visit: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide
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