The University of Leeds maintains a strong global Top 100 position with improving consistency across major ranking agencies, while subject-level performance shows clear strengths in engineering, business, and healthcare fields.

Globally, the University of Leeds demonstrates a stable upward trajectory, especially in QS and THE rankings. QS rankings fluctuate within the top 100 range (#92 in 2022 to #86 in 2026), while THE rankings show a steady improvement trend (#127 in 2022 to #118 in 2026). US News rankings also indicate gradual progress, reinforcing Leeds’ growing international reputation. This reflects strong research output, global employability, and academic reputation. In the latest Collegedunia Study Abroad Rankings 2026, Leeds is ranked at #63. 

At the UK level, the trend is mixed but stabilising. While Guardian rankings show volatility due to student satisfaction metrics, the Complete University Guide confirms consistent Top 25 performance, highlighting strong academic quality and graduate outcomes.

Global positioning:

  • QS: Consistently Top 100 globally (best: #75 in 2024)
  • THE: Continuous improvement → #127 (2022) to #118 (2026)
  • US News: Improved from #149 (2022) → #133 (2025)
  • ARWU: Stable in #151–200 band (research-focused ranking)

Subject strength:

  • Engineering: Strong upward momentum; Petroleum (#18 QS) and core engineering fields improving
  • Computer Science: Entered Top 200 globally (QS #188) with strong UK recovery
  • Business: Globally competitive; Top 100–150 range with elite programs (e.g., MSc IB Top 5 in 2025)
  • Medical & Health: Mostly Top 100–200 globally, with steady THE improvement

For latest updates on entry requirements, application deadlines, and visa information, visit University of Leeds admissions 2026.

University of Leeds World Rankings

University of Leeds ranks among the top 100 universities in the world, consecutively, by QS World University Rankings. Here are the trends of University of Leeds world rankings according to some reputed agencies:

Ranking Agency 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings #86 #82 #75 #86 #92
THE World University Rankings #118 #123 #129 #128 #127
US News and World Report Best Global Universities - #133 #141 #140 #149
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) - #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200

University of Leeds Ranking in UK

The University of Leeds shows a mixed but stabilising ranking trend in the UK between 2022-2026. In the Guardian University Guide, its rank declined sharply from #16 (2022) to #37 (2025), before recovering to #28 in 2026.

In contrast, the Complete University Guide reflects a more stable performance, with Leeds consistently maintaining a Top 25 position (ranging between #16 and #23) and improving slightly to #21 in 2026. Here’s a 5-year trend of the University of Leeds ranking in UK. 

Ranked By 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
Guardian University Guide #28 #37 #27 #20 #16
Complete University Guide #21 #23 #22 #16 #20

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University of Leeds Engineering Rankings

The University of Leeds shows a strong long-term upward trend in engineering and technology rankings globally, with selective dips in UK league tables but clear recovery in 2026.

  • QS Petroleum Engineering: Significant rise from #34 (2022) → #18 (2026) (major global strength)
  • QS Engineering & Technology: Improved from #108 (2022) → Top 100 (#97 in 2026)
  • QS Chemical Engineering: Gradual improvement from #87 (2024) → #83 (2026)
  • THE Engineering & Technology: Recovery from #126–150 (2025) → #101–125 (2026)
  • Guardian Mechanical Engineering: Strong jump from #26 (2025) → #13 (2026)
  • Complete Guide Chemical Engineering: Consistent rise from #11 (2023–24) → #7 (2026)
  • Complete Guide Electrical & Electronic: Big improvement from #17 (2024) → #7 (2026)
  • Complete Guide Mechanical Engineering: Improved from #11 (2022) → #7 (2026)

Some ranking of the Engineering programs at University of Leeds according to renowned agencies are as follows:

Ranking Body Subject 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings by subject Engineering and Technology #97 #92 #93 #100 #108
Chemical Engineering #83 #84 #87 #68 #76
Electrical and Electronic Engineering #151-200 #132 #149 #151-200 #151-200
Civil and Structural Engineering #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #49 #44
Petroleum Engineering #18 #22 #26 #29 #34
THE World University Rankings by subject Engineering and Technology #101-125 #126-150 #101-125 #101-125 #84
The Guardian University Guide (in UK) Electronic and Electrical Engineering #8 #1 #8 #8 #8
Civil Engineering #16 #9 #7 #4 #2
Chemical Engineering #11 #7 #5 #13 #14
Mechanical Engineering #13 #26 #24 #8 #6
Complete University Guide (in UK) Chemical Engineering #7 #9 #11 #11 #10
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering #13 #10 #7 #6 #7
Civil Engineering #13 #7 #8 #9 #9
Electrical and Electronic Engineering #7 #9 #17 #10 #12
Manufacturing and Production Engineering #9 #5 #5 #2 #7
Mechanical Engineering #7 #9 #10 #6 #11
Medical Technology and Bioengineering #20 #10 #12 #3 #6

Overall: Leeds is strengthening its global engineering reputation (especially Petroleum & core engineering fields), while UK rankings show short-term fluctuations but solid 2026 recovery across key programs.

University of Leeds Computer Science Rankings

The University of Leeds shows a moderate but improving trend in Computer Science, with strong recovery in UK rankings and gradual stabilisation globally.

  • QS Computer Science: Improved from #201–250 (2022–25) → #188 (2026) (entry into Top 200 globally)
  • Guardian Ranking: Massive jump from #88 (2025) → #49 (2026) (strongest recent improvement)
  • THE Computer Science: Stabilised at #201–250 (2026) after fluctuations, showing consistent global positioning
  • Complete Guide: Maintained Top 25 UK position consistently (range #14–23), indicating stable academic strength

Some notable rankings of the Computer Science programs at University of Leeds are as follows:

Ranking Body Subject 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings by subject Computer Science and Information Systems #188 #201-250 #201-250 #201-250 #201-250
THE World University Rankings by subject Computer Science #201-250 #201-250 #151-175 #201-250 #101-125
The Guardian University Guide (in UK) Computer Science and Information Systems #49 #88 #82 #57 #57
Complete University Guide (in UK) Computer Science #22 #20 #23 #15 #14

University of Leeds Business Rankings

The global ranking trends of some business programs at University of Leeds, according to eminent ranking agencies, are as follows:

Ranking Body Subject 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings by subject Accounting and Finance #85 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #90
Economics and Econometrics #145 #168 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Business and Management Studies #77 #=102 #=80 #67 #70
THE World University Rankings by subject Business and Economics #101-125 #101-125 #101-125 #97 #65
The Guardian University Guide (in UK) Accounting and Finance #13 #35 #14 #9 #7
Business and Management #11 #26 #18 #10 #10
Economics #19 #31 #26 #15 #13
Complete University Guide (in UK) Accounting and Finance #4 #7 #6 #4 #5
Business and Management Studies #14 #14 #11 #11 #13
Economics #10 #10 #11 #10 #12

University of Leeds Business School Rankings by QS

QS has ranked University of Leeds among the top 5 universities in the world for MSc in International Business, in 2025. Some business-centred rankings of the university according to QS are as follows:

Ranking Type Program 2026 Rank 2025 Rank
QS International Trade Rankings Masters and MBA #18 #5
QS World University Rankings by subject Masters in Supply Chain Management #10 -
Masters in Management #24 #25
QS Full-time MBA (Europe) Full-time MBA #29 #26

University of Leeds Medical Science Rankings

Most of the Medical Science programs at University of Leeds are ranked among the top 100-200 in the world according to agencies like QS and THE. Check out the ranking trends of various Medical Science programs at the university:

Ranking Body Subject 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings by subject Dentistry #51-150 #51-120 #43 #46 #49
Pharmacy and Pharmacology #151-200 #151-200 #101-150 #151-200 #101-150
Medicine #91 #151-200 #104 #86 #101
Nursing #51-100 #51-100 #38 #37 #47
THE World University Rankings by subject Medical and Health #100 #101-125 #126-150 #126-150 #151-175
The Guardian University Guide (in UK) Pharmacy and Pharmacology #33 #6 #4 #18 #26
Dentistry #10 #11 #12 #10 #11
Medicine #22 #17 #21 #19 #12
Complete University Guide (in UK) Dentistry #10 #6 #11 #6 #10
Medicine #21 #25 #25 #28 #22
Nursing and Midwifery #3 #6 #7 #9 #8
Pharmacy and Pharmacology #17 #11 #8 #32 #14

University of Leeds Guardian University Guide Rankings

The Guardian University Guide has placed many courses of University of Leeds among the best in the world. A few of the highest ranked subjects of University of Leeds, according to The Guardian, 2026, are provided below:

Subject 2026 Rank 2025 Rank
Marketing and Public Relations #12 #8
Nutrition and Food Science #18 #9
Architecture #11 #10
Sports Science #40 #13
Aerospace Engineering #17 #14
Media and Film Studies #7 #16
Children's Nursing #6 #18
General Engineering #9 #18
Chemistry #24 #19
English #29 #20
Biology #27 #27
Physics #25 #33

Note: These are only a few of the numerous top-ranked programs of University of Leeds according to The Guardian.

University of Leeds Reviews

University of Leeds is globally acclaimed for its strong academic and research facilities. Some pros and cons about the university, according to graduates of various programs, are provided below:

Likes:

  • Prestigious & Globally Recognized: The university is well-ranked and highly regarded by employers worldwide.
  • Diverse & Inclusive Community: Students belong to a diverse range of countries and communities, including numerous Indians.
  • Strong Academic Support: Each student gets a personal tutor for academic guidance, module selection, and progress tracking.
  • Practical Learning Approach: Courses emphasize real-world applications, industry projects, and hands-on assignments.
  • Well-Equipped Research Labs: Advanced labs with high-tech equipment support innovation and experimentation.
  • Flexible Study Structure: A balanced timetable allows students to manage self-study and extracurricular activities.
  • Extensive Student Facilities: 24/7 libraries, sports clubs, study spaces, and international student support services.
  • Vibrant Student Life: Various clubs, societies, and volunteering opportunities keep students engaged beyond academics.
  • Professional & Friendly Atmosphere: Professors and peers maintain a welcoming and professional learning environment.
  • Beautiful Campus & Environment: A mix of historic architecture, modern facilities, and green spaces create a pleasant learning atmosphere.

Dislikes:

  • High Tuition Fees: International students face expensive tuition costs with questionable value for money.
  • Limited Teaching Time: Master's programs have short teaching durations with long breaks, reducing in-depth learning.
  • Outdated Course Content: Some courses lack modern topics like GenAI, RAG, and LLMs, offering only basic introductions.
  • Mismatch in Coursework & Teaching: Assessment criteria often differ from class material, making it harder to prepare.
  • Limited Dissertation Topics: Research projects can be outdated with fewer hands-on and in-depth research opportunities.
  • Strict Academic Standards: Plagiarism and AI usage rules are strictly enforced, making essay-based coursework challenging.
  • Job Fair Limitations: Career events lack real opportunities for fresh graduates, as most jobs require 2-3 years of experience.
  • Inconvenient Public Transport: Commuting can be difficult, often requiring long walks or expensive Uber rides.
  • Competitive Part-Time Job Market: Many students compete for limited part-time jobs, making it hard to find work.
  • Lack of Social Inclusivity: Some students feel a lack of diverse social events, with a high concentration of students from specific regions.

Also Check: University of Leeds Reviews

Overall, Leeds combines global consistency with subject-level excellence, making it a reliable Tier-1 UK choice despite short-term ranking fluctuations.

FAQs

Ques: Is Leeds a top 20 university?

Ans: The University of Leeds is not consistently a Top 20 UK university, but it stays very close—ranking around #21 (Complete University Guide 2026) and within the Top 25 in the UK.

Ques: Is the University of Leeds a prestigious university?

Ans: Yes, the University of Leeds is a prestigious, Tier-1 UK university, consistently ranked in the Top 100 globally (QS #86 in 2026) with strong global reputation and employability.

Ques: What is Leeds ranked in QS?

Ans: In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Leeds is ranked #86 globally, maintaining a Top 100 position.

Ques: Which is better, Warwick or Leeds?

Ans: University of Warwick generally ranks higher, especially for business and economics. However, University of Leeds is stronger in engineering and offers broader subject options. Overall, Warwick is better for rankings, while Leeds offers wider academic strengths.

Ques: What are the top 5 universities in the UK?

Ans: The top 5 universities in the UK typically include the following:

  • University of Oxford
  • University of Cambridge
  • Imperial College London
  • London School of Economics
  • University College London