The University of Bath has been ranked 125th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, rising seven places from last year and achieving its highest position since the introduction of independent rankings in 2010.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Bath has featured in the top 150, placing it in the top 10% of universities worldwide and reflecting a global reputation for excellence in research and education.

Published by the higher education analytics provider QS Quacquarelli Symonds since 2010, these rankings are used as a measure of university performance for prospective students, funders, governments and academic institutions around the world.

This year, more than 8,800 institutions were evaluated, with 1,504 being ranked. Ninety-three of these were in the UK. Institutions were ranked across key areas such as research and discovery, employability and outcome, learning experience, global engagement and sustainability.

Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, said:

Every week, I can see our University community deliver high impact research and innovation, excellent education and outstanding student experience. I am delighted that the real strides we’ve been making are reflected in our highest-ever ranking, now being positioned 125 worldwide.

There is much to celebrate in our 60th anniversary year, and this year’s QS rankings build on our upward trajectory and reflect how we are achieving global excellence with impact. We know the higher education sector is increasingly competitive, and our incoming 10-year University Strategy, combined with the talent and dedication of our community, will help to focus our collective efforts and achieve our ambitions for the future.

My sincere thanks go to our staff, students, and valued partners in research, education and innovation, whose ongoing efforts and contributions are essential to our shared success.

Highlights from Bath’s 2027 Results

The University achieved strong results across several indicators, showcasing the global impact of its research, the quality of its graduates, and its international outlook:

• Bath has made a big leap in the sustainability category, now ranked 56 in the world, up from 127 last year. This indicator assesses the social, environmental and governance impact of universities as centres of education and research
• Employer Reputation has further improved from last year, now ranked 91 in the world, underlining how highly its graduates are valued by employers
• Global reputation for academic excellence has continued to improve, increasing by 15 places in the rankings from last year
• International staff and students continue to score highly, highlighting that the University of Bath remains a truly global community

This global recognition joins top rankings at home, where the University of Bath is named in the top 10 best UK universities in all four major domestic university guides.