Strictly EMBARGOED until 00:01 June 10 2025
The Complete University Guide has released its league tables that rank the best universities in the UK, overall and in 74 subject areas.
Eight universities on the list are based in the East of England – here are their overall scores and rankings.
The University of Cambridge took the top spot for universities in the East. It was ranked first in the UK – the same as last year.
Each year, the Complete University Guide publishes its UK university and subject league tables to help prospective students make informed choices about their future, including those weighing up late decisions or exploring Clearing options.
Regional tables are also available, making it easier for students to find the right university close to home. This release follows last month’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, where students themselves recognised and celebrated outstanding universities across a range of categories nationwide.
The main league table is based on ten measures: entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, research intensity, academic services spend, spending on student facilities, continuation, student-staff ratio, graduate prospects – outcomes, and graduate prospects – on track. It includes 130 institutions.
Top universities in the East of England and their overall rankings
Within the East of England region are pockets of subject-level excellence. While some universities don’t rank especially highly overall in the tables, they are among the best in the UK for particular subjects. This reinforces the importance of looking beyond the overall ranking.
The University of Suffolk is seventh for Childhood and Youth Studies; while the University of Hertfordshire ranks eighth in the country for Social Work.
Overall across the UK, the University of Cambridge has come top of the class for this year’s annual Complete University Guide rankings, but the race at the top in many subjects is tightening. The University of Oxford is gaining ground and institutions traditionally lower down the table are shaking up Oxbridge’s dominance.
This year Oxford is top in 11 subjects, compared to 8 last year, and Loughborough University, the London School of Economics and Political Science and Imperial College London all lead in three subjects – with Imperial having increased from two last year. With Cambridge now leading in 26 subject areas – down from 34 last year – the data suggests a shifting landscape where new centres of excellence are challenging the long-standing hierarchy.
Some newer universities are challenging older universities for a spot in the top 70. Major advancers this year include Arts University Bournemouth which has shot up 32 places from last year to 61st and Norwich University of the Arts which has risen 25 places from last year to 57th. Heriot-Watt University is this year ranked higher than several Russell Group universities after climbing 17 places to 25th.
Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said:
“Congratulations to the University of Cambridge for securing the top spot in this year’s East of England Complete University Guide rankings and to all Universities in the region for supporting their students to achieve their ambitions. Our methodology draws on a range of trusted, independent measures that reflect the factors students care most about, including teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate outcomes.
“Our regional tables show the strength and quality of Higher Education throughout the UK. Whether making early choices or preparing for Clearing, our university and subject league tables, along with regional insights, are here to help students navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.”
Across the sector, on average 74% of graduates have successfully transitioned into graduate-level or professional roles, or are pursuing postgraduate education, just over a year after graduation. However, this year’s Complete University Guide shows that some universities are exceptional in this regard and, no doubt, this is also a reflection of the dedication and tenacity of their students.
At Imperial College London, 96% of graduates have successfully transitioned into graduate-level or professional roles, or are pursuing further study. At the University of St Andrews, it is 87%, while at Queen’s University Belfast, the figure is 86%. At both Cardiff University and City St George’s, University of London, it is 84%.
The latest Complete Universities Guide rankings reveal a dip in student continuation rates across the UK. On average, 90% of students remained on their courses a year after enrolling, down from 92% the previous year – a decline that may reflect broader challenges facing students in higher education.
This year’s Complete University Guide reveals that London universities are accepting lower entry grades compared to last year, suggesting a more competitive recruitment environment. However, the data also shows a decline in both graduate prospects and continuation rates, with the latter falling to 89% compared with 92% two years ago. These shifts point to mounting pressures on both students and institutions in the capital.
Simon Emmett, Chief Executive Officer of IDP Education, said:
“The rankings demonstrate the breadth of excellence in UK HE. We’re proud to provide main tables, subject tables and unique data sets to enable students to make the right choice for them.
“And for the sector, I hope they will be used to track and drive best practice. Factors such as course continuation rates and outcomes are important to students, the sustainability of the sector and the economy as a whole.”
ENDS