University of Leeds Ranking

The University of Leeds stands out as one of the UK’s most respected public research institutions, with a growing international reputation backed by high rankings and impactful research. As a proud member of the prestigious Russell Group, Leeds attracts over 9,000 international students each year, especially from India, who are drawn to its academic excellence, career outcomes, and subject strengths.

 In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Leeds achieved an impressive global rank of #86, reflecting its continued rise in teaching quality, global research partnerships, and international outlook. It also performs strongly in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, placing within the top tier of UK universities. 

What Is the Global Ranking of the University of Leeds?

The University of Leeds consistently features among the top 100-150 universities globally. Its performance in major global rankings has remained strong, with new updates for 2026 showing improved competitiveness.

The University of Leeds continues to maintain a strong presence in global rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, it holds the 86th position, while the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025 place it at #123. 

As per the U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025, Leeds is ranked #141 globally, reflecting its consistent academic and research performance.

Here's how Leeds is ranked currently:

Ranking Body	Rank
QS World University Rankings 2026	86
Times Higher Education (THE) 2025	123
U.S. News Global Universities 2025-26	141
Complete University Guide (UK) 2026	21
Guardian University Guide	37

Has the University of Leeds Ranking Improved Over Time?

The University of Leeds continues to hold its ground as a respected global institution, despite slight shifts in international rankings. In the QS World University Rankings, Leeds moved from 75th in 2024 to 86th in 2026, staying well within the global top 100. THE rankings show an improvement, rising from 129th to 123rd, while the U.S. News ranking remains steady at 141st. Within the UK, Leeds shines brighter climbing from 23rd to 21st in the Complete University Guide, even though its Guardian ranking dipped from 27th to 37th. These variations reflect growing global competition, but Leeds continues to offer strong academic value, particularly within the UK landscape.

Let’s review the trends and performance of Leeds over the last few years.

Ranking Body	2024	2025	2026
QS World University Rankings	75	82	86
Times Higher Education (THE)	129	123	N/A
U.S. News Global Universities 2025	140	141	141
Complete University Guide (UK)	23	23	21
Guardian University Guide	27	37	N/A

Leeds has steadily improved thanks to rising academic reputation, employer links, and research output.

Why has Leeds moved up or down in rankings recently?

The University of Leeds has steadily climbed global rankings due to targeted strategies in research, internationalisation, and employability. Here's a look at the major contributors:

• Surge in International Students

Leeds now hosts 13,400+ international students from 130+ countries (HESA 2023), enhancing global diversity and improving its QS ranking via the International Student Ratio metric.

• Strong Research Output

In REF 2021, 90% of Leeds’ research was rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent.” Global partnerships with bodies like UKRI and the Alan Turing Institute have boosted citation scores.

• Strong Employability Metrics

Leeds ranks in the top 100 globally in QS Graduate Employability Rankings (2022). 92.9% of grads are employed or in further study within 15 months (HESA 2023).

To help you assess your program of interest, here's how Leeds ranks across various subjects.

Uncertain about whether the University of Leeds aligns with your aspirations? Arrange a free one-on-one session with an upGrad advisor to get personalized support on program choices, application process, and financial planning.

How Does Leeds Rank in Specific Fields or Subjects?

Subject-wise rankings highlight the University of Leeds' strong academic performance. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Leeds features 48 ranked subjects, with nearly two-thirds in the global top 100 and 12 in the top 50. 

The university's strengths span across Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Medicine, Business, and Social Sciences, confirming its reputation as a leading multidisciplinary institution.

Below are the latest subject-wise rankings for the University of Leeds across major global league tables:

Subject/School	Ranking Body	Ranking 2025
Geophysics	QS	14
Development Studies	QS	22
Arts & Humanities (broad)	THE	64
Law	THE	78
Agricultural Science	U.S. News	64
Civil Engineering	U.S. News	94

Complete University Guide Subject Ranking 2026

The University of Leeds is ranked 21st overall in the Complete University Guide 2026 league tables. In subject areas the Business School has placed 2nd for Marketing, 4th for Accounting and Finance, 10th for Economics and 15th for Business and Management. 

The Guardian University Guide 2025

The Guardian University Guide 2025 ranked Leeds University:

• 35th in the UK for Accounting and Finance
• 26th in the UK for Business and Management
• 31st in the UK for Economics
• 8th in the UK for Marketing and PR

The University of Leeds is ranked 37th.

How is the Leeds MBA program ranked globally?

The Leeds Full-Time MBA, offered through LUBS, is ranked among the Top 100 in the UK, and in many employer reputation lists, it's highly respected. Though not in the top 100 globally yet, it is AMBA-accredited and has high ROI for mid-career professionals.

How Does the University of Leeds Compare to Other UK Universities?

Leeds is often compared to similar-tier UK universities like Liverpool and Birmingham in terms of rankings, fees, and employability.

University of Leeds vs. University of Liverpool vs. Birmingham University

Comparing universities in the UK allows you to assess differences in academic reputation, fees, program offerings, and graduate prospects.

In the QS 2026 Rankings, Leeds ranks 86th, Liverpool 147th, and Birmingham falls in the 1001–1200 range. Leeds offers research-led programs as a Russell Group member, while Liverpool balances academics with selectivity. Birmingham City stands out for career-focused, industry-linked courses.

To help you decide where to apply, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the University of Leeds, the University of Liverpool, and Birmingham City University:

Parameters	University of Leeds	University of Liverpool	Birmingham City University
QS Global Rankings (2026)	86	147	1001-1200
Undergraduate Tuition Fees	International: ~£26,640/year (INR 28.4 L)	£26,640/year (INR 28.4 L) (similar range)	£15,000–19,000/year (INR 17–21 L)
Postgraduate Fees	~£35,277/year (INR 37.6 L)	~£29,900/year (INR 31.9 L)	£15,000–20,000/year (INR 17–22 L)

What Are the Student Satisfaction and Employability Rankings?

Understanding how students feel about their education and how well graduates perform in the job market is essential when choosing a university. Leeds consistently scores high in both areas, making it a strong choice for international applicants.

How satisfied are students at Leeds?

According to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024-25,

• 88% of final-year students at the University of Leeds reported overall satisfaction-above the UK average of 86%.
• Leeds ranks joint 11th among Russell Group universities for overall satisfaction.
• Significant improvements were seen in:
  • Student Voice: 76% satisfaction
  • Assessment and Feedback: 74%
  • Organisation and Management: 78%

In specific subject areas:

• Civil Engineering: 94% student satisfaction
• Electronic & Electrical Engineering: 93%
• Computing: 87%

These figures reflect the university’s commitment to teaching quality and academic support.

What is the employability ranking of Leeds graduates?

In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2024, the University of Leeds is ranked among the top 100 universities globally, recognised for:

• Strong industry collaborations
• Internships and placement programs
• Graduate readiness and professional development

Conclusion

The University of Leeds is a globally recognised university offering strong academic programs, robust subject rankings, and high graduate employability. Its recent rise in QS 2026 rankings reflects its growing international reputation. For Indian students looking for quality education with solid ROI, Leeds remains a smart and strategic choice.