Student experience highlighted in latest Daily Mail university rankings
The University of Leicester has cemented its position in the 2026 edition of Daily Mail University Guide, ranking 34th out of 128 institutions – and top 10 for student experience.
Subject-wise, Medicine at Leicester again topped the table of 30 universities offering the course, with Mathematical Sciences placed third, and Mechanical Engineering and Physiotherapy both placed fifth.
The Daily Mail also ranks Leicester highly for first-year completion, research income and graduate salaries, with top 30 positions for all.
In the 2026 edition of the ranking, the Daily Mail describes the University of Leicester as “one of the best bargains to be had in the annual dash to secure a university place. In exchange for mostly medium-tariff offers, Leicester – our University of the Year last year – offers a high-quality student experience in a bustling multi-cultural city.”
It ranks Leicester joint 7th for student experience, joint 23rd for first year completion and joint 27th for graduate salaries, highlighting the benefits students get from their time at the University. It also highlights the University’s research, ranking it 21st for research income and 29th for research quality. The Daily Mail adds that “teaching is underpinned by a strong (some might say box-office) record in research.”
Professor Liz Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted to see the University maintain a strong showing in the guide, a year on from us being crowned Daily Mail University of the Year 2025.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see our commitment to student experience recognised by the Guide, which places it joint 7th overall, and, of course, to see Medicine top the charts, and Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and Physiotherapy placed in the top five, nationally.”
These results come as the University of Leicester celebrates its position as a top 15 university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS), the annual survey of students’ experience during their time at university, according to analysis by The Times. University of Leicester graduates are also holding their own in the job market, with analysis of graduate earnings information from the Department for Education showing that they are earning £3,600 more than the sector average five years after completing their studies.
The Daily Mail ranking is the broadest-based ranking of UK universities. It is made up of 12 performance indicators covering student satisfaction with teaching quality, support and their wider university experience, graduate jobs outcomes and salaries, research quality and income, degree outcomes, student progression, entry standards and – uniquely – a measure of universities’ commitment to social mobility, measured through the proportion of first-generation students registered. The 2026 ranking features 128 universities.
The Guide is edited and compiled by Alastair McCall, who has been compiling and editing university guides annually since 1998, first for The Sunday Times, and now for the Daily Mail.
The news coincides with A-level results day, with the University’s Clearing lines now open.
All courses available via Clearing are on the web page. The page also includes links to live information events, a guide to applying, answers to frequently asked questions, information for parents and more.
Applicants who have their grades can call 0116 373 6000 where staff can chat through the options. The lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Those waiting for results, can call between 7am and 9pm on results day (Thursday 14 August). On Friday 15 August lines are open 8am to 6pm.
The University offers guaranteed University-managed accommodation if applicants apply before Monday 1 September.
Subject-wise, Medicine at Leicester again topped the table of 30 universities offering the course, with Mathematical Sciences placed third, and Mechanical Engineering and Physiotherapy both placed fifth.
The Daily Mail also ranks Leicester highly for first-year completion, research income and graduate salaries, with top 30 positions for all.
In the 2026 edition of the ranking, the Daily Mail describes the University of Leicester as “one of the best bargains to be had in the annual dash to secure a university place. In exchange for mostly medium-tariff offers, Leicester – our University of the Year last year – offers a high-quality student experience in a bustling multi-cultural city.”
It ranks Leicester joint 7th for student experience, joint 23rd for first year completion and joint 27th for graduate salaries, highlighting the benefits students get from their time at the University. It also highlights the University’s research, ranking it 21st for research income and 29th for research quality. The Daily Mail adds that “teaching is underpinned by a strong (some might say box-office) record in research.”
Professor Liz Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted to see the University maintain a strong showing in the guide, a year on from us being crowned Daily Mail University of the Year 2025.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see our commitment to student experience recognised by the Guide, which places it joint 7th overall, and, of course, to see Medicine top the charts, and Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and Physiotherapy placed in the top five, nationally.”
These results come as the University of Leicester celebrates its position as a top 15 university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS), the annual survey of students’ experience during their time at university, according to analysis by The Times. University of Leicester graduates are also holding their own in the job market, with analysis of graduate earnings information from the Department for Education showing that they are earning £3,600 more than the sector average five years after completing their studies.
The Daily Mail ranking is the broadest-based ranking of UK universities. It is made up of 12 performance indicators covering student satisfaction with teaching quality, support and their wider university experience, graduate jobs outcomes and salaries, research quality and income, degree outcomes, student progression, entry standards and – uniquely – a measure of universities’ commitment to social mobility, measured through the proportion of first-generation students registered. The 2026 ranking features 128 universities.
The Guide is edited and compiled by Alastair McCall, who has been compiling and editing university guides annually since 1998, first for The Sunday Times, and now for the Daily Mail.
The news coincides with A-level results day, with the University’s Clearing lines now open.
All courses available via Clearing are on the web page. The page also includes links to live information events, a guide to applying, answers to frequently asked questions, information for parents and more.
Applicants who have their grades can call 0116 373 6000 where staff can chat through the options. The lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Those waiting for results, can call between 7am and 9pm on results day (Thursday 14 August). On Friday 15 August lines are open 8am to 6pm.
The University offers guaranteed University-managed accommodation if applicants apply before Monday 1 September.