Complete University Guide 2026 names Warwick as top West Midlands university

Warwick has been named as the top university in the West Midlands, and ninth nationally, by the 2026 Complete University Guide.

Warwick achieved an overall score of 83% and has climbed one rank from its 10th place finish in 2024. Warwick last finished this high in the Complete University Guide in 2022, having since dropped to 11th two years ago.

The Complete University Guide evaluates 130 universities across the UK by a range of metrics including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and intensity, academic services and facilities spend, student to staff ratio, continuation, and graduate prospects. The rankings aim to offer useful insights for both prospective students and the wider academic community.

Warwick ranked an impressive 10th for ‘graduate prospects – outcome’, marking the success of its graduates after leaving the University.

Warwick’s 86% score for research quality is notably higher than that of Durham, Bath, and St Andrews, all of which finished above Warwick in the overall table.

This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and wider community

Stuart Croft, University of Warwick Vice-Chancellor

Warwick also placed 16th nationally for its student-to-staff ratio, which this year was 12.8.

Warwick additionally ranked 18th for entry standards, facilities spend, and continuation, as well as 20th for ‘graduate prospects – on track’, a metric which measures whether recent graduates perceive their current graduate role to fit with their future plans.

Warwick also ranked sixth among the Russell Group universities.

University Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft said: “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and wider community. At Warwick, we are committed to academic excellence, innovation, and creating a supportive environment where talent can thrive, and it’s fantastic to see that commitment recognised at a regional and national level.”

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, congratulated Warwick for topping the West Midlands regional table: “Congratulations to The University of Warwick for securing the top spot in this year’s West Midlands Complete University Guide rankings and to all Universities in the region for supporting their students to achieve their ambitions.

“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.”