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Rankings, awards and achievements

Since our foundation in 1963, we’ve built a global reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.

Rankings highlight strengths in teaching, research and global impact—but our true measure of success is our founding values: excellence, equality, and opportunity for all. As a University for Public Good, we harness knowledge to create a fairer, more just and sustainable world.

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York, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial

We're one of only four UK universities to be rated both Gold for teaching and top ten for research in the latest national assessment exercises.

Gold for teaching

Overall rating of Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

See why York is gold-rated for teaching

Top ten for research

Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Explore our research performance

Key figures

20th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

11 of our subjects are ranked in the top ten.

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12th in the Complete University Guide 2026

We climbed five places from last year and also claimed the top spot in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

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15th in the UK and =70 in the world for Climate Action in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025


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Key facts

Culture of inclusion
Our commitment to gender equality is recognised with a bronze institutional award and 22 departmental awards (including three golds) from Athena Swan.
University of the Year (shortlisted)
We were shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2023 for our student-focused response to the cost of living crisis.
Top 2% in the world for sustainability
We're ranked 15th in the UK and 39th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. We achieved the number one global position for governance.

Rankings

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, we are ranked:

  • In the top 8% globally, ranked joint 154th out of 2,191 institutions.
  • 120th in the world for 'international outlook'
  • 20th in the UK.

In the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings 2025, we are ranked:

  • 54th in the world for arts and humanities
  • Top 175 in the world for life sciences
  • Top 150 in the world for social sciences.

QS World University Rankings

Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings

In the 2026 edition of the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR), we are ranked:

  • In the top 10% globally, ranking =77th out 1267 institutions.

This ranking measures universities’ contributions and commitment to interdisciplinary science. It includes 11 performance indicators to assess institutions across three key areas in the life cycle of research projects:

  • inputs (funding)
  • process (measures of success, facilities, administrative support and promotion)
  • outputs (publications, research quality and reputation).

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025 we are ranked:

  • 15th in the UK and =70th in the world for SDG 13 Climate action (recognising our efforts in addressing climate-related hazards, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity through robust research and effective campus policies).
  • In the banding 201–300 out of 2,318  institutions worldwide.

This global performance league table assesses universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our city: Regularly named one of the best places to live and visit

York is a vibrant and welcoming city, celebrated for its rich heritage, winding medieval streets and outstanding art scene. 2,000-year-old York offers something for everyone. Recent accolades include:

Explore our city guide

Awards

Researchers in world top 2%
150+ York researchers have been named among some of the best scientists in the world.
Teacher training excellence
The leadership and management of the University’s programmes for teacher training was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Sustainability accolade
The team behind Environmental Sustainability at York – a York Interdisciplinary Module – received a national Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence.

Queen's Anniversary Prize

York is a six-time recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research in the following departments and centres:

Times Higher Education Awards

Over the years, we have won five prestigious Times Higher Education Awards:

Shortlisted for University of the Year awards

We've been shortlisted for prestigious University of the Year awards three times in the past five years:

  • 2023: Times Higher Education Awards
  • 2022: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide
  • 2021: Times Higher Education Awards

    • Community University of the Year

    We’re proud to be named Community University of the Year by The Mail University Guide 2026, in celebration of our annual York Festival of Ideas.

    Our community is more than a place for learning – it’s a force for positive change. 

    We believe in bringing people together to make a meaningful impact, both locally in York and across the globe. With a vibrant community of students, staff, alumni and partners, we offer something for everyone. At York, there’s a place here for you.

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