Five universities on the list are based in the North East - here are their overall scores and rankings.
Durham University took the top spot for universities in the North East. It was ranked fifth in the UK - a rise of two places from last year.
Each year, the Complete University Guide publishes its UK university and subject league tables to help prospective students make informed choices about their future, including those weighing up late decisions or exploring Clearing options.
Regional tables are also available, making it easier for students to find the right university close to home. This release follows last month’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, where students themselves recognised and celebrated outstanding universities across a range of categories nationwide.
The main league table is based on ten measures: entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, research intensity, academic services spend, spending on student facilities, continuation, student-staff ratio, graduate prospects – outcomes, and graduate prospects – on track. It includes 130 institutions.
Top universities in the North East and their overall rankings
Within the North East region are pockets of subject-level excellence. While some universities don’t rank especially highly overall in the tables, they are among the best in the UK for particular subjects. This reinforces the importance of looking beyond the overall ranking.
The University of Sunderland ranks 10th for Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy; while Northumbria University ranks fifth for Information Technology and Systems.
Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: “Congratulations to Durham University for securing the top spot in this year’s North East Complete University Guide rankings and to all Universities in the region for supporting their students to achieve their ambitions. Our methodology draws on a range of trusted, independent measures that reflect the factors students care most about, including teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate outcomes.
“Our regional tables show the strength and quality of Higher Education throughout the UK. Whether making early choices or preparing for Clearing, our university and subject league tables, along with regional insights, are here to help students navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.”
Across the sector, on average 74% of graduates have successfully transitioned into graduate-level or professional roles, or are pursuing postgraduate education, just over a year after graduation. However, this year’s Complete University Guide shows that some universities are exceptional in this regard.
Full results tables for the North East can be found at www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.