DESPITE a slight drop regionally, the University of Worcester has stayed steady in its national ranking.
The annual Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide has been released for 2026, with the University of Worcester continuing to be a top 100 university in the UK.
Dropping regionally from 15th out of 20 to 17th in the Midlands, the University of Worcester kept its 2025 position of 98th in the UK.
Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: "Intellectual vigour, innovation, inspiration and ambition are alive and well on university campuses across the UK.
"As I edit this guide, I never fail to be energised by the optimism, scholarship and cutting-edge discoveries that burnish our leading higher education institutions."
She highlighted a growing trend across universities to focus on employability and practical training to prepare students for the workplace.
Ms Davies said: "What shines through more than ever this year is an emphasis on preparing students for future careers.
"Universities have tailored their campuses to suit hands-on learning with mock court rooms, simulations of clinical settings – some even serve the public – and trading floors."
She also acknowledged the challenges facing students and universities in the current climate.
Ms Davies said: "But, for this next generation of students and the higher education sector at large, this is a challenging time with institutions struggling with their own finances, and the toughest graduate jobs market in more than a decade.
"There are hard questions to ask: can I afford it? What will I get from a degree? Is it worth it?"
She said the guide aims to support prospective students in making informed choices.
Ms Davies said: "This is where our guide comes in.
"We are here to help, whether it is about deciding what subject to study, where to go, or how student loans really work."
Elsewhere in the rankings, Imperial College London was named University of the Year for 2027 and climbed to third place nationally, overtaking both Cambridge and Oxford for the first time.
The University of St Andrews took the top spot in the UK, while the University of Birmingham was named runner-up University of the Year and Sports University of the Year.
For more information, and to see the full list, click here: UK university rankings 2026 | The Times and The Sunday Times
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