The Times and Sunday Times University Guide is considered one of the best measures of UK university performance worldwide. Alongside its ranking of over 130 UK universities, several awards are also given to universities in different areas each year, and those recognised for their excellence in 2025 are highlighted below.
Find out who the Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2025 award winners are below, and if you have any questions about studying in the UK or want to begin your application, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
2025 Times and Sunday Times University Guide Award Winners
University of the Year - London School of Economics
London School of Economics was crowned the University of the Year 2025 by The Times University Guide thanks to high graduate prospects, with 92.5% of graduates in highly skilled jobs or further study within 15 months, and exceptional networking opportunities, with internships, and work-related experiences are integral to many courses.
LSE’s rise to the top of the league table is also supported by improving student satisfaction, as reflected in the National Student Survey (NSS) and, in recent years, the university has significantly advanced in overall student experience, moving from 112th to joint 40th.
Specialist University of the Year: University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London (UAL) is Europe’s largest specialist art and design university, comprising six renowned colleges, including Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion. Ranked second globally for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), UAL offers a wide range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication, and performing arts. UAL graduates excel across the creative sector, from heads of global businesses to award-winning artists and designers, influencing fields from the Turner Prize to the Oscars.
University of the Year for Graduate Employment: Imperial College London
Imperial College London topped the Times and Sunday Times Graduate Prospects ranking for the fourth time (95.9 per cent of students move on to highly skilled jobs or further study within 15 months of completing their course). Ranked the 6th best university in the UK, Imperial is the UK's only specialist science, engineering, technology, medicine and business university.
Scottish University of the Year & University of the Year for Social Experience: University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews was recognised as the Scottish University of the Year and the University of the Year for Social Experience for 2025.
President of the University of St Andrews Students’ Association, Cam Brown, said: “The student experience at St Andrews is one of a kind, where everyone plays an important role in making it the success it is today. St Andrews is a place where students can feel supported, encouraged and have the freedom to explore their passions, coupled with an unrivalled learning and teaching experience, and unique traditions that make this place so special."
Welsh University of the Year: Swansea University
Swansea University has been named Welsh University of the Year, recognised for its strong focus on career development, seafront student experience, and consistent rise in rankings. This year, Swansea climbed four places in The Guardian University Guide 2025, now ranked the best in Wales and 29th in the UK. It also made an impressive leap of 118 places in the QS World University Rankings 2025, breaking into the top 300 globally for the first time at 298th.
Sports University of the Year: Loughborough University
For the fourth time, Loughborough University was named Sports University of the Year by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. In addition to being crowned the world's best university for sports-related subjects for eight years running by the QS World University Rankings by Subject, Loughborough has cemented its place as a global leader in sports higher education.
University of the Year for Social Inclusion: York St John University
York St John University has been awarded the University of the Year for Social Inclusion by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. The recognition highlights its dedication to offering students from diverse backgrounds access to quality higher education. With a focus on social justice and strong community connections, York St John supports students' growth, helping them develop valuable skills and contributing to the region's economic and social progress.
University of the Year for Sustainability: University of Reading
The University of Reading has been recognised as Sustainable University of the Year 2025 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. The guide commended the university for its progress in sustainability, cutting carbon emissions by over 60% since 2009 and reducing waste by 35%. Reading is also acknowledged for its excellence in climate change research, having earned the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2021.
University of the Year for Teaching Quality: University of East London
The University of East London (UEL) has been awarded UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2025 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. UEL has shown remarkable improvement, achieving top rankings in the 2023 and 2024 National Student Surveys. It ranked 1st in London and England, and 3rd nationally for overall student satisfaction in 2024.
Study in the UK
If you want to study in the UK at one of the above universities, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK in London or Manchester today.
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