From Liverpool to Lancashire, Cumbria to Manchester, there are plenty of excellent local study options for ambitious North West students winding up their sixth form studies this year.
The Guardian’s latest university guide for the 2026 academic year is out now. This annual league table compares and ranks more than 120 universities from across the UK, giving them scores out of 100. Its comprehensive methodology includes the most recent available data on student satisfaction, staff numbers, spending, future career prospects for graduates, and more.
We’ve taken a look at how the North West’s 12 major universities fared in this year’s rankings, looking at both their overall scores, and other key details prospective students will want to know. These include a score representing how satisfied final year students were with their teaching, and the proportion of recent graduates either employed in a graduate-level job or undertaking further study 15 months after their course finished.
But The Guardian says that each university’s ranking should be viewed as part of a bigger picture. “Rankings change annually, and some universities may benefit from temporary measures such as funding boosts or changes to their student intake. Don’t forget that universities languishing at the bottom of the overall table can be top for certain subjects,” its creators wrote. Some universities have also not been included, where data was not available.
Here is how the North West’s 12 universities did, for the students of 2026:
9. Liverpool Hope University
Another Liverpool-based institution, Liverpool Hope came in 78th, up from 86th last year. The Guardian gave it an overall score of 50.9 out of 100. It had a rating of 89.2 for students satisfied with their teaching, and 71% of recent graduates were either employed or in further study after 15 months. | Google
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10. University of Salford
This university is based in Salford, Greater Manchester, and came in 85th this year – down from 83rd last year. The Guardian gave it an overall score of 49.6 out of 100. It had a rating of 84.9 for students satisfied with their teaching, and 78% of recent graduates were either employed or in further study after 15 months. | Google
11. University of Cumbria
Based in Carlisle, the University of Cumbria also has campuses in Lancaster and Ambleside (and even one in London). It placed 96th this year, up from 116th last year. The Guardian gave it an overall score of 46.3 out of 100. It had a rating of 82 for students satisfied with their teaching, and 83% of recent graduates were either employed or in further study after 15 months. | Google
12. University of Lancashire
Rounding out the list is the University of Lancashire, formerly the University of Central Lancashire, headquartered in Preston. It ranked 98th this year – up from 104th last year. The Guardian gave it an overall score of 45.6 out of 100. It had a rating of 86.8 for students satisfied with their teaching, and 80% of recent graduates were either employed or in further study after 15 months. | Google