The University of Liverpool has been ranked 19th in the 2025 Complete University Guide (CUG), representing an improvement of five places on last year and the University’s highest ever position in the table.
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, and graduate prospects. It includes 130 institutions.
Every year the Complete University Guide releases UK university and subject league tables to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future.
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said: “I am delighted to see the University now placed within the top 20 universities in the Complete University Guide. This significant rise in our ranking reflects the hard work of staff and, indeed, our students, who are achieving outstanding outcomes. Following on from our gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework late last year, this news gives us even more reason to be proud of the University.
“This improvement in position is also encouraging as we work towards our new strategic vision, Liverpool 2031. Launched in September last year, this sets out our ambition to become a globally recognised, world-leading institution for research and education and ultimately a global top 100 university.”
Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: “Our methodology, rooted in independent measures, reflects vital aspects cherished by students, such as post-graduation job prospects, ratio of staff to students and the quality of the teaching. The competitive landscape within the top 20 underscores the exceptional standards upheld by UK universities.
“Furthermore, the dynamic shifts witnessed in the subject league tables emphasise their significance as a crucial resource for prospective students navigating their academic journey, providing invaluable guidance for those seeking clarity on where to pursue their passions.”
Update since time of publishing: In accordance with their protocol on queries and corrections, the Complete University Guide have republished their tables. The University of Liverpool is now ranked at number 19, not 18 as previously published.