The Complete University Guide for 2026 is out. The University of Cambridge was ranked the best uni in the UK for the third year in the row. Lots of unis thrived, and several Russell Group unis went up several places in the rankings. But let’s spare a thought for all the unis that didn’t do so well, and sunk right to the bottom of the league tables. Here are the 20 absolute worst unis in the UK right now, according to the Complete University Guide.
The University of Bedfordshire is officially the worst uni in the UK. Sozzles. This uni scored particularly poorly for how much money it spent on academic services and facilities. Plus, only 66.2 per cent of grads got jobs or got onto further study courses.
The University for the Creative Arts did not have a great year. It fell 26 places in the league table, and is now only 111th out of 130 unis.
The Complete University Guide’s rankings are based on lots of factors, including graduate prospects, how much research the uni does, how high the entry requirements are, how happy students are with their teaching.
So, here are the 20 worst unis in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide for 2026.
20. University for the Creative Arts – scored 445 out of 1,000
19. Middlesex University – scored 444 out of 1,000
18. Queen Margaret University – scored 431 out of 1,000
17. Southampton Solent University – scored 427 out of 1,000
16. University of Roehampton – scored 424 out of 1,000
The Uni of Roehampton is so f*cking fit
(Credit: Diliff via Creative Commons)
=14. University of Buckingham – scored 421 out of 1,000
=14. University of Cumbria – scored 421 out of 1,000
13. Bishop Grosseteste University – scored 418 out of 1,000
12. University of Northampton – scored 416 out of 1,000
=10. De Montfort University – scored 409 out of 1,000
=10. Anglia Ruskin University – scored 409 out of 1,000
9. Leeds Trinity University – scored 396 out of 1,000
8. University of Westminster, London – scored 393 out of 1,000
This entrance hall at the University of Westminster really does not feel real
(Credit: Big Rock Cat via Creative Commons)
7. Birmingham Newman University – scored 390 out of 1,000
6. Royal Agricultural University – scored 379 out of 1,000
5. University of East London – scored 352 out of 1,000
4. University of the West of Scotland – scored 342 out of 1,000
3. London Metropolitan University – scored 331 out of 1,000
2. Wrexham University – scored 329 out of 1,000
1. University of Bedfordshire – scored 299 out of 1,000
Featured image of the University of Roehampton by AndyScott. Featured image of Birmingham Newman University by JimmyGuano.
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