The University of Southampton is the second best university in the South East and among the UK's top twenty, according to The Times.

The Russell Group founding university, which now has five campuses in Southampton and one in Winchester, as well as others in Malaysia and India, has been ranked 17th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, which will be published this weekend.

It lies behind the University of Oxford, which is the South East's best, but has fallen to joint fourth in the national rankings with Cambridge, the first time both have dropped out of the top three in the league table in the Good University Guide's history.

The University of Southampton is holding its graduation ceremonies for 2024(Image: University of Southampton)

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The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is the top university for a second year in a row, while the University of St Andrews retains second place. Durham University has climbed into third place from fifth last year, and has been named The Times and The Sunday Times' University of the Year 2026.

University of Portsmouth is considered sixth best in the South East, 52nd overall, with Southampton Solent University lying in 11th place in the South East, 76th nationally. The University of Winchester is the 14th best institution in the South East, ranking 106th overall.

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: "Competition to get a place at our top-ranked institutions continues to grow, leaving some lower-tariff universities with recruitment challenges. It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire.

"New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today's students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.

"Many more undergraduates are choosing to stay at home and commute. It is why this year we have an award for the top university in each region."

The University of Southampton(Image: Newsquest)

Founded in 1862, the University of Southampton has a student population of around 25,000 and a choice of more than 300 degree programmes.

It's at the forefront of pioneering cancer immunotherapy research with engineering research pushing the boundaries of performance sport.