The University of Sheffield has emerged as the highest-ranked university in the whole of the North of England, according to today’s new Daily Mail University Guide 2026, in which it placed 13th in the UK, ahead of every other university in Yorkshire, the North West and the North East.
The Guide, compiled by editor Alastair McCall and published to coincide with A-level results day, ranks 128 UK universities across 12 indicators including student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, research quality and social mobility. Sheffield’s result means Yorkshire has nine universities the Guide’s top 30.
The University of Bradford has broken into the UK top 30 for the first time, ranked joint 29th out of 128 universities, following its third successive rise in the rankings. The Guide praised Bradford’s support for students, strong graduate employment outcomes and long-standing commitment to social mobility, describing it as a university that continues its “ascent,” and highlighting its role as one of the country’s leading universities for social inclusion.
During 2024-25, the University awarded more than £2.7 million in grants and bursaries to students, alongside hundreds more who received hardship support. Bradford was also ranked first in England this week by the Social Mobility Commission for recruiting the most disadvantaged students, when location is factored in.
Opening doors and creating opportunities
Professor Gillian Murray, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “This recognition reflects something that has been central to Bradford for many years: a commitment to opening doors and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. Universities have a responsibility not only to provide excellent education, but to support students throughout their journey and help them develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive.
“What is particularly encouraging about this ranking is the recognition of student support alongside graduate outcomes and social mobility. These are all closely connected. When talented people are given the right opportunities and support, extraordinary things can happen. Our graduate outcomes speak for themselves.
“We are proud to deliver world-leading research and innovation that creates opportunities in the industries of tomorrow, including emerging sectors such as the space industry. We are also on track to become the leading university in the North for empowering entrepreneurs, supported by our dedicated business start-up ecosystem.”
New award goes to Hull
The University of Huddersfield, meanwhile, has been named the Guide’s first ever University of the Year for Degree Apprenticeships, a new award category introduced for this edition.
Organisers highlighted Huddersfield’s degree apprenticeship success rate in this year’s Department for Education figures, the scale of the University’s apprenticeship operation, and its Outstanding Ofsted rating, alongside the potential of its new National Health Innovation Campus to benefit apprentices, students and the wider community.
Alastair McCall, Editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: “Huddersfield offers exceptional degree apprenticeship opportunities to students. No other university delivers such exceptional outcomes for its apprentices on the same scale as Huddersfield – last year 88% achieved their apprenticeships across provision that spans 11 programmes and around 800 students.
“The Daily Mail’s new award for University of the Year for Degree Apprenticeships was introduced to recognise the contribution made by these earn-while-you-learn degrees in opening up higher education to the widest audience, offering a debt free route to a university degree, income while studying, and a job at the end of it all. The new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) will be home to a swathe of degree apprentices across several healthcare programmes, from podiatrists to paramedics, from nursing associates to advanced clinical practitioners.
“This facility – with all its treatment benefits for the local community, too – speaks to the wider ambition of the University for the region it serves. Huddersfield’s exemplary record on degree apprenticeships shows that ambition extends to all its students at whatever level they are studying, and we are delighted to recognise that contribution.”
Brian Culleton, Director of the Academy of Teaching, Learning and Skills at Huddersfield, said: “Being the inaugural recipient of this award reflects years of hard work in a model we believe in. Degree apprenticeships widen access to higher education and give employers a direct route to the skills they need.
“This recognition is owed to our apprentices, our employer partners, and the colleagues and mentors who support them, and it strengthens our commitment to meeting the skills needs of our region.”
An enduring success
Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, added: “To be recognised in this way is a testament to the University’s enduring success in helping students achieve their career ambitions and realise their potential.
“At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to equipping students with the knowledge, experience and ambition to make a positive impact in their professions and communities. This award reflects our wider contribution to transforming lives through education, supporting economic growth and inspiring professionals who go on to make an impact locally, nationally and globally.”
Beyond Sheffield, Bradford and Huddersfield, the Guide’s full list of 128 profiled universities also includes the University of Hull, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of York and York St John University.
