University of Aberdeen rises to highest ever ranking in Sunday Times Good University Guide

The University of Aberdeen has achieved its latest ranking success, climbing four places overall to be named the second best institution in Scotland.

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2025 also named Aberdeen the 15th best across the UK.

More than 130 institutions are included in the new league table, which comes just a week after the Granite City university was ranked 12th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland in The Guardian University Guide.

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Since the 2018 Guide, Aberdeen has steadily risen 25 places in the Times/Sunday Times table - from 40th to 15th.

Of the different metrics used to determine each university’s overall score, Aberdeen performed most strongly in Student Experience (7th in the UK) and Entry Standards (8th in the UK).

At a subject level, the University has been ranked in the UK Top 10 in seven subjects:

• Anatomy & Physiology (2nd)

• Anthropology (4th)

• Education (8th)

• English (6th)

• French (7th)

• Medicine (10th)

• Sociology (7th)

A further 11 subjects are ranked in the top 20 in the UK, demonstrating the breadth of excellence across the whole University.

Professor Karl Leydecker, Vice-Principal of the University of Aberdeen, said: "We are delighted to see our university's continued commitment to academic excellence recognised again in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, just weeks after another strong performance in The Guardian university rankings.

"It is extremely encouraging to see Aberdeen sitting in the top 15 in the UK and top two in Scotland in both these major university ranking tables – an achievement that is testimony to the hard work of our staff and student community.

"Today’s announcement cements our position as a leading university dedicated to providing a first-class education and student experience, preparing future generations with the skills required to tackle society’s major challenges."