University of Leeds takes the crown as the Complete University Guide’s best university in the Yorkshire and the Humber region


The University of Leeds has taken the crown as the Complete University Guide’s best higher education institution in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The Yorkshire and the Humber region has had a fantastic year in the Complete University Guide’s rankings with notable universities climbing the ranking from previous years. These include the University of Hull which rose by 12 places and University of Bradford which rose by 11 places this year.

In the overall league tables, the University of Leeds improved to its position to 16th place nationally from 20th last year, sitting just below the University of Bristol. 

Within the region are pockets of subject-level excellence. Despite the following universities performing below 40th in the overall table, there are some examples of high-quality subject rankings reinforcing the importance of looking below the overall ranking. The University of Hull (58th) ranks 5th nationally for American Studies as well as for 1st for Paramedic Science and Leeds Beckett University (106th) ranks 8th for Information Technology & Systems as well as 9th for Speech & Language Therapy.

Every year the Complete University Guide releases UK university and subject league tables to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future. The regional league tables help people find the right university for them in their area and are also informative for local employers to know what skills people are coming to the area to develop.

The Complete University Guide follows on from last month’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, building on the information available to prospective students to help them make the right decisions as they consider their higher education options. This year, the University of Sheffield once again took home the Students’ Union award, an accolade won for many years now. 

Having three of the region’s universities ranking in the UK’s top 50 in this year’s Complete University Guide demonstrates how the region is on track for another year of high-quality education and training provision for students and employers alike. The University of York and University of Sheffield both also featured in the top 30 alongside Leeds.

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: 

“Congratulations to the University of Leeds for achieving the top position in this year’s Complete University Guide regional rankings. The tight rankings show just how high the standards are among the Yorkshire and the Humber’s top universities.

“Many prospective students in the Yorkshire and the Humber are keen to find the best university in the local area. Complete University Guide’s regional league tables are a valuable source of information to give local prospective students a greater understanding of what higher education options there are in the Yorkshire and the Humber.”

Simon Emmett, Chief Executive Officer of IDP Connect, said: 

“With more prospective students actively researching their options each year, the 2023 Complete University Guide league tables will serve as an important guide. We believe these rankings help them to make the right decisions as they consider their next steps into higher education.

“The independence of the Complete University Guide remains a critical part of our organisation. The tables’ independence from our other operations ensures that students, parents, and advisors can trust the results and make informed choices based on them.”

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