University delight at UK top 30 table accolade

An education institution has been named one of the country’s top 30 universities.

The University of Sunderland was ranked 27th in The Guardian University Guide 2026.

Bosses say it marks the first time the education provider has made the list’s top 30.

Rating universities through metrics including student satisfaction and staff numbers, the guide also assesses institutions’ spending and students’ career prospects.

The accolade comes after the university was named fourth in the UK for its student support services, sixth for encouraging first-generation students into university and eighth for teaching excellence in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026.

Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor and chief executive, said: “It is pleasing to see another rise in our position, not least because The Guardian University Guide majors on teaching, learning and the support given to students.

“The 2026 guide tells a striking story about our progress in recent years, as we have moved from 109th position in 2016 to be in the top 30 for the first time.”

Mark Burdon, board of governors chair, added: “To have seen such progressive year-on-year movement up the university league tables has been fantastic, not least because it recognises the dedicated staff who work so hard at Sunderland.”

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