The University of Liverpool has risen six places in the 2026 Guardian University Guide, placing 21st overall in the UK and second overall in the North West.
The Guardian league tables rank institutions by subject, looking at student satisfaction, staff numbers, spending and career prospects.
Notable rises at subject level include Medicine (from 27th in 2025 to 14th for 2026), Physics (25th to 10th), Music (33rd to15th) and Accountancy & Finance (11th to 9th - making it top 10 in what is one of the biggest subject fields).
This latest rankings rise follows improvements across all areas of the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS), which saw the University of Liverpool outperform both the Russell Group and the wider higher education sector across the survey as a whole.
Professor Tim Jones, University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor said: "I am delighted to see a year on year climb in our University's position in the Guardian University Guide, echoing our recent successes across other important University league tables. This continually improving position is a result of the hard work, commitment and confidence of colleagues right across the University. This new academic year will see a continued push to advance our University's performance and reputation, working towards the ambitions outlined in our Liverpool 2031 strategy."
