Leicester achieves highest 5+ Stars rating in QS Stars evaluation
The University of Leicester has achieved a 5+ Stars overall rating in the QS Stars evaluation, the highest level awarded by the global rating system.
QS Stars is a globally recognised university rating system which uses independent and in-depth evaluations to cover all components that make a world-class university.
Leicester was awarded five stars out of five in all nine categories it was judged in, including teaching and research quality, facilities and graduate employability, and achieved a perfect 50/50 score for equality, diversity and inclusion.
The system provides prospective students with a more detailed and personalised insight into a university’s strengths, rather than just overall academic prestige.
The 5+ Stars rating confirms that Leicester has gone beyond QS’s 5 Stars “Excellent” level and reached its highest “Outstanding” level. QS describes 5+ Stars institutions as universities that demonstrate exceptional performance across all categories and go “above and beyond excellence”.
Leicester’s 5+ Stars performance comes at a time when the University has released details of the courses it has available for applicants during the Clearing period – find out more on the Clearing web pages.
To achieve 5+ Stars, institutions must secure five-star ratings across all assessed categories, meet all prerequisites for a 5-Star institution and achieve an overall score of at least 900 points out of 1,000. Leicester scored 908, with five-star marks in each of the following categories:
- Teaching: 139/150
- Research: 133/150
- Facilities: 94/100
- Subject Ranking: 39/50
- Employability: 133/150
- Good Governance: 91/100
- Environmental Impact: 90/100
- Global Engagement: 139/150
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): 50/50
The QS Stars performance comes hot on the heels of a hat-trick of strong Leicester performances in various rankings.
Earlier this month, the University recorded its third consecutive year of improvement in the National Student Survey.
In June, the University of Leicester experienced a rise of 12 places to =314th in the QS World Rankings 2027 and maintained its position as a top 35 UK University, in the Complete University Guide 2027.
Linda Ralphs, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Learning Innovation) at the University of Leicester, said: “It is a truly incredible achievement to receive the highest ranking across every single category in the QS Stars - and to be one of just five UK universities to achieve the 5+ rating.
“It is confirmation that students who choose to come to Leicester will benefit from an inclusive, welcoming institution, reflected in our perfect score for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as a university that is at the top of its game when it comes to teaching, facilities and producing graduates with superb employability credentials.
“This amazing news comes off the back of strong results in the NSS, QS World Rankings and the Complete University Guide, which all demonstrate the University of Leicester’s reputation as a leading national, and international destination of choice for students.”