University of Leeds Ranking

The University of Leeds ranking is 86th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 123rd in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, marking its highest THE position in over a decade out of 2,092 universities worldwide.

 In the U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025, the University of Leeds ranking is 133rd, with a global research reputation ranked 113th and an overall score of 68.1.

University of Leeds excels in subject rankings, with its Business School ranked 3rd in the UK for Marketing and top 15 for Accounting and Finance, Economics, and Business Management in the Complete University Guide 2025. 

Recognized as a member of the elite Russell Group, the University of Leeds is among the top 5 most targeted UK universities by graduate recruiters and is a leading choice for those aiming to study in the UK at the top universities and colleges in the UK.

University of Leeds Rankings 2025-26

The University of Leeds continues to be recognized among the top global institutions, consistently ranking in the world’s top 150 across major ranking platforms. Its strong performance reflects excellence in research, teaching, and international collaboration, with a global research reputation ranked 113th by  U.S. News Ranking.

These rankings underscore Leeds' status as a leading research university with a diverse international community of over 11,600 students from 146 countries.

Below is a summary of the UNiversity of Leeds ranking across three major ranking platforms: 

Here's a graphical representation that will help you analyze the University of Leeds' ranking over the years: 

The University of Leeds has consistently performed across major global rankings, maintaining a position in the world's top 150 universities. In the QS World University Rankings, Leeds improved from 75th in 2024 to 82nd in 2025 and 86th in 2026, reflecting a steady but competitive global standing. 

The Times Higher Education (THE) ranking also shows Leeds' upward trajectory, rising from 128th in 2024 to 123rd in 2025. According to U.S. News, Leeds advanced from 141st in 2024 to 133rd in 2025, with a global score of 68.1 and a research reputation ranked 113th globally. 

This consistent performance across rankings highlights Leeds’ strengths in research, international outlook, and academic reputation.

As the University of Leeds secures strong positions in global rankings, its performance across individual subjects further highlights its academic excellence.

Subject-Wise Ranking of the University of Leeds

Leeds has 48 subjects ranked in the latest global league tables, with 31 subjects placed in the top 100 and 12 in the top 50 worldwide according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. 

Some of the standout University of Leeds courses include Geophysics (14th), Geology (15th), and Earth Sciences (20th) globally, while the university also excels in areas such as Development Studies, Petroleum Engineering, and Geography. 

Next, let’s look at the detailed performance of Leeds in the 2025 QS subject rankings.

QS Rankings 2025

The University of Leeds' ranking is #14 globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject, reflecting its strong international reputation and academic excellence. 

Leeds features in the top 100 for numerous subjects, with standout areas including Communication and Media Studies (33rd), Master's in Engineering and Technology (92nd), and Master's in Business Analytics (51st).

Below is a table of selected QS subject rankings for the University of Leeds in 2025:

The University of Leeds also achieves notable results in the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025

U.S. News Rankings 2025

The University of Leeds ranking is #133 globally in the 2025 U.S. News Best Global Universities, with a global score of 68.1 and a research reputation ranked 113th worldwide. The university is powerful in Agricultural Sciences, ranking 52nd globally for research reputation and 19th for normalized citation impact. 

Leeds also stands out for its publication record, ranking 159th for total publications. 

Below is a table of selected subjects and indicator rankings for the University of Leeds in the 2025 U.S. News rankings:

Next, let’s have a look at how the University of Leeds performs in the THE world university rankings, particularly in subject-specific performance.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025

Leeds is ranked 123rd globally in the THE World University Rankings 2025, with an overall score of 64.5. The university excels in Arts and Humanities, securing 64th place worldwide, and demonstrates strong scores across key indicators: Teaching (46.4), Research Environment (51), Research Quality (87), Industry (71.2), and International Outlook (94.6).

Below is a table with THE subject-wise ranking for the University of Leeds: 

Next, let's view some other rankings that highlight the University of Leeds' overall reputation and provide a broader view of the university experience it offers students.

Miscellaneous Ranking

Beyond the major global rankings, the University of Leeds is also highly placed in several national league tables. Its Business School is a national leader, securing 3rd place in Marketing and in the top 10 positions in Accounting and Finance (7th) and Master's in Economics (10th). 

Leeds is ranked 23rd overall in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 29th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, demonstrating its consistent performance among the top 50 Universities in the UK. 

Here's a detailed table mentioning the University of Leeds rankings across various reputable ranking bodies:

The University of Leeds ranks 23rd in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2025, reflecting top performance in research quality and graduate prospects. 

Leeds’ consistently high rankings are matched by a record of institutional achievements and sector-leading initiatives that distinguish it among UK universities.

University of Leeds: Excellence and Achievements

The University of Leeds is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, representing 24 leading UK universities committed to research excellence and societal impact.

The university's Careers Service was named the UK's Best University Careers/Employability Skills at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards.

Next, let’s explore how Leeds' academic credentials and sector recognition further reinforce its reputation.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Beyond rankings, the University of Leeds is recognized for its outstanding graduate employability, with over 4,000 employer connections. Leeds generated £173 million in research income, placing it among the top UK universities for research funding. 

In sustainability, Leeds ranked 1st in the UK and 2nd globally for climate action in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, reflecting its leadership in environmental initiatives.

Below is a table of key recognitions and their descriptions:

Leeds’ academic achievements are complemented by its lively campus life and exceptional student support.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

The University of Leeds consistently ranks among the top UK universities for student life, facilities, and student support. 

In the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), Leeds was placed in the Top 10 for Student Life in UK, Career Prospects, Facilities, International student experience, and Student Support, reflecting genuine student reviews and satisfaction.

Below is a table highlighting key community and lifestyle recognitions at the University of Leeds:

Building on its reputation for student life and community, the University of Leeds also stands out as a hub for cultural and creative achievement.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Leeds is celebrated for its dynamic arts, music, and creative scene, both within the university and across the city. The university's School of Performance and Cultural Industries is ranked among the UK's top 10 for Drama, Dance & Cinematics.

Leeds is home to the renowned Leeds International Piano Competition and the annual Leeds International Film Festival.

Below is a table highlighting some of the University of Leeds cultural and creative excellence recognitions:

To build on the University of Leeds achievements and recognition, let’s examine how its rankings relate to its acceptance rate:

University of Leeds: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

The University of Leeds’ impressive global rankings are matched by its competitive acceptance rates, especially in high-demand subjects. For example, the overall undergraduate offer rate for applicants under 21 was 68%, but the acceptance rate dropped to 23%, indicating high selectivity after offers are made.

Let’s look at how acceptance rates align with subject rankings across different disciplines:

Note: Offer and acceptance rates are based on the most recent admissions cycle data for undergraduate applicants under 21, with competitive subjects typically having lower rates.

Next, let's explore the methodologies employed by various ranking bodies to evaluate and rank universities.

Ranking Bodies Methodologies

The University of Leeds rankings are influenced by the distinct methodologies employed by various ranking organizations, each highlighting different factors such as research excellence, teaching quality, global engagement, and graduate success. 

Let’s now explore how leading ranking agencies assess universities like the University of Leeds.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings evaluate institutions like the University of Leeds through a comprehensive framework that prioritizes academic reputation, research impact, employability skills, and international engagement.

For Leeds, its position in the QS rankings is shaped most heavily by Academic Reputation (30%) and Citations per Faculty (20%), which together account for half of the total score and reflect the university’s global academic standing and research influence.

Here’s how QS measures university performance:

Next, explore how THE Rankings evaluate institutions differently, with more weight on teaching and research quality.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings assess universities like Leeds using a methodology that emphasizes teaching quality, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement. 

For Leeds, the most significant contributors to its score are Teaching (29.5%) and Research Environment (29%), which together make up nearly 60% of the total, reflecting the university’s strengths in academic reputation, learning environment, and research output.

Below is the complete breakdown of THE ranking criteria:

Now, take a closer look at the U.S. News & World Report Rankings, which center more on student outcomes and financial strength.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

U.S. News & World Report Rankings emphasize student success, graduation outcomes, and faculty quality. Peer assessment and graduation outcome indicators are major contributors, making up 36% of the score combined. This methodology suits applicants focused on long-term academic performance and career potential.

Check the full set of indicators used by U.S. News:

The University of Leeds stands out as a top-tier institution, consistently earning high marks across global and national rankings for its academic excellence, research impact, and student experience. Its selective admissions, lively campus life, and strong graduate outcomes make it a compelling choice for ambitious students.