THE Times and The Sunday Times have ranked and released data on every university in the UK, including revealing the best university in the North West.
Lancaster University is the number one university in the Northwest, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
It took the top spot in the same year it took overall gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
It is working on one of the largest labs to focus on digital threats and cybersecurity in the region.
The University of Liverpool rose from 29th to 23rd to beat the University of Manchester that slipped from 23rd to 27th year on year.
Manchester Metropolitan University, one of the UK’s largest universities, is the runner up for the Sustainable University of the Year 2025 award, and is ranked 46th nationally making the top 50.
Newly planted trees and wildflower areas are boosting biodiversity in All Saints Park, a focal point of MMU’s campus.
In addition, pedestrians and cyclists have priority over vehicles in the surrounding areas, which has helped it to take second place in the People & Planet University League.
Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “The best universities — whether they were founded in the 15th century or 2005 — are local and global powerhouses of intellectual thought and creativity, from the arts to science, that can power economic regeneration and lead the way to a better life. But what and where to study — and how to pay for it — has never been tougher. This is where our comprehensive guide can help.
“This year we have tweaked our methodology to keep up with contemporary concerns around climate change and careers and have added in a sustainability metric, teaming up with People & Planet, and boosted the weighting of graduate prospects.
“The higher education sector is facing unprecedented challenges from debates on free speech to financial stability, but it is important to remember the force for good that going to university can be. See how the universities compare subject by subject, a guide on campus life, and what scholarships and bursaries may be on offer online.”
NORTHWEST RANKINGS 2025
Northwest Ranking
National Ranking
University
1
12
Lancaster University
2
23
University of Liverpool
3
27=
University of Manchester
4
46=
Manchester Metropolitan University
5
66=
Liverpool John Moores University
6
72
University of Salford
7
84=
Edge Hill University
8
89
University of Chester
9
94=
Liverpool Hope University
10
96
University of Central Lancashire
11
119
University of Bolton
12
128
University of Cumbria
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