University of Leicester Rankings 2026

University of Leicester sits in the global top 200 across most major ranking systems. THE places it at number 192 globally and 26th in UK. QS ranks it at 326, U.S. News at 166, and ARWU between 301 and 400. 

Within UK, Leicester places at number 28 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, number 33 in the Complete University Guide, and number 40 in The Guardian University Guide. 

A couple of things worth noting beyond the numbers. Leicester received an overall Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and research quality is ranked 5th in UK by THE. Archaeology sits at number 40 internationally in QS Subject Rankings. 

The sections below look at how rankings have moved over time and how Leicester performs across different subjects. 

University of Leicester in QS, THE, and U.S. News Rankings  

University of Leicester's ranking picture varies depending on the platform, which is normal since each ranking measures different things. 

THE places University of Leicester at number 192 globally, QS at number 326, and U.S. News at number 166. Research quality is where the university scores particularly well, sitting 5th in UK according to THE. 

The table below compares University of Leicester rankings across major global bodies for 2024, 2025, and 2026: 

These rankings confirm that Leicester holds a stable global position, particularly as a research-intensive university with strong recognition in medical and health sciences.  

Read all about the Admissions at University of Leicester 

Subject-Wise Rankings of University of Leicester  

University of Leicester ranks among the global top universities for 25 subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Archaeology is the standout at number 40 in the world. Medical and health sciences is where the university performs most consistently across all three major ranking bodies. 

Here is how University of Leicester performs across subjects in each ranking body. 

QS Subject Wise Rankings of University of Leicester  

University of Leicester shows up across a range of subjects in QS, with Archaeology leading the way. Medicine and psychology have shown steady improvement in recent years, while engineering sits further down the list. 

The table below covers QS subject wise rankings of University of Leicester for 2026: 

Key Insights: 

• Archaeology is Leicester's standout global subject at #40 worldwide 
• Medicine and Natural Sciences reflect strong research citation performance 
• Engineering and Computer Science show year-on-year improvement 

THE Subject Wise Rankings of University of Leicester 

In THE subject rankings, University of Leicester performs best in medical and health sciences, sitting within the global top 125. All subject rankings below are verified directly from the Times Higher Education university profile page. 

The table below covers THE subject wise rankings of University of Leicester 2026: 

U.S. News Subject Wise Rankings of University of Leicester 

U.S. News subject rankings show University of Leicester at its strongest in medical research. Endocrinology and Metabolism at #16 globally is the single highest subject ranking across all three major ranking bodies. 

The table below covers U.S. News subject wise rankings of University of Leicester 2026: 

Check out all Courses at University of Leicester 

University of Leicester: Excellence and Achievements 

Rankings only tell part of the story. What has built University of Leicester's reputation over the decades is a mix of genuine scientific discoveries, consistent research output, and recognition that goes well beyond any single table.  

The sections below cover the key areas where Leicester actually stands out. 

Academic Excellence and Recognition 

TEF Gold in 2023 is worth noting. Not many UK universities managed both a top 30 REF result and Gold teaching status at the same time. Leicester did. The Daily Mail named it University of the Year in 2026, and it was shortlisted by both THE and The Times and Sunday Times in the same year. 

Innovation, Research, and Industry Impact 

Two things put Leicester on the global map in a way no ranking ever could. DNA fingerprinting was invented here in 1984 by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys at 9.05am on 10 September, a detail the university still records precisely. That single technique changed forensic science and paternity testing worldwide.  

Then in 2012, a Leicester team led the discovery and DNA identification of King Richard III's remains under a city car park. The economic impact on Leicester alone was assessed at over £59 million. 

On top of that, Leicester contributes more instruments to active space missions than any other UK university. Research funding hit a record £103 million in 2022 to 2023. 

Student Community and Global Presence 

Over 20,000 students study at Leicester, with people coming from more than 150 countries. Nine out of ten graduates are in work or further study within three years. The city itself is one of the most affordable in UK for students, which is not a small thing when you are stretching a budget across three or four years. 

Miscellaneous Rankings of University of Leicester 

Beyond QS, THE, and U.S. News, University of Leicester shows up in several other ranking systems covering sustainability, research output, and subject specific performance.  

These add more context to where Leicester actually stands: 

University of Leicester Rankings vs Acceptance Rate 

University of Leicester has an overall acceptance rate of around 72%, which makes it considerably more accessible than many UK universities. International undergraduate admissions are tighter, sitting at around 14.5% based on UCAS end of cycle data. 

Medicine, Law, and Engineering tend to attract the most competitive applicant pools, both from domestic and international students. 

So, University of Leicester rankings reflect strong subject level performance, while the acceptance rate shows that certain programs are considerably more competitive than the overall figure suggests. 

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