Bristol University was the ‘standout choice’ for Research University of the Year according to the Daily Mail University Guide.
The guide (published on the 14th of August), coinciding with A-Level results day, named Bristol out of 128 universities as its Research University of the Year 2026.
The university was particularly commended for it ‘formidable record’ in building AI research, a rise in research grants and contract income of £91m, and the innovation focus of its new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which is due to open next year.
This title follows as Bristol University was named AI University of the Year at the National AI awards in 2024, and the release of the UK’s fastest supercomputer, Isambard-AI.
Notably, Bristol has risen 10 places in the rankings to eighth in the league table, also scoring second in research income, fourth in research quality, and sixth in first-year completion.
Alastair McCall, Editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: “Bristol is constantly pushing at the boundaries of human knowledge. It is one of the big global players in research and is positioning itself to be at the forefront of the next industrial revolution with its artificial intelligence (AI) research capabilities.
“Bristol was the standout choice to be the Daily Mail Research University of the Year 2026. A £91m jump in competitively won research grants and contracts year on year has helped propel the university back into the UK top 10 in the wider Daily Mail University Ranking.
“The award also acknowledges the huge potential of the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, due to fully open in 2026. The development has played a key part in the regeneration of part of Bristol city centre and will add significantly to the university’s teaching and research heft as a centre for digital, business and social innovation.
“This year’s launch at the university of the £225m Isambard-AI supercomputer, supported by the UK government, will help make Bristol one of the university destinations for anyone interested in technology that will shape the future of our working world.”
The guide also illustrated Bristol’s efforts at making a Russell Group education more accessible thanks to the bursaries available and the efforts to encourage applicants from under-represented groups. The university’s popularity was evident in guide with more than 63,000 applicants naming Bristol University as one of their UCAS top choices in 2024.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “I am delighted to see Bristol recognised as the Research University of the Year. I want to thank and congratulate all our academic, technical and professional services staff who have contributed to this wonderful accolade through their hard work.
“I am also very proud that our world-leading research feeds directly into our curriculum. Our Bristol students are able to work with globally recognised experts who are pushing the boundaries of today’s knowledge and skills, making this a very exciting place to study as well as undertake research.”
Featured image via Daily Mail
