New league table reveals significant change in position for the University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is also celebrating achieving ‘Five-Star Overall’ status
The University of Sunderland is celebrating a significant climb in the latest university league tables, rising 14 places to 69th in the UK.
The new ranking, published in the Complete University Guide 2027, marks a notable rise on last year’s (2026) position of 83rd, and continues the University’s upward trajectory in national performance tables.
The overall increase - the highest among the region's universities - “reinforces the University’s growing reputation as a place where students can thrive, succeed and achieve their ambitions”.
The rankings are based on four key criteria of points required to be accepted onto courses (58%), how satisfied students are with the standard of teaching they receive (82%), the quality of research undertaken (69%), and the success of graduates on completion of courses (65%).
An overall score is then given to each university with the University achieving an overall score of 58%.
Universities are also ranked based on individual subjects. The city’s university climbed 13 places to achieve second in the UK for Childhood and Youth Studies and also climbed 23 places to rank ninth for Social Work. It is seventh in the UK for Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy courses.
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, said: “While league tables only provide a snapshot of the University’s activities, we are pleased that our position in the Complete University Guide 2027 reflects our continuing progress as an institution.
“Moving up 14 places is evidence of the University's ability to grow and strengthen, locally, nationally and internationally, even during these turbulent times for the higher education sector."
The rise comes as the city’s university is also celebrating achieving ‘Five-Star Overall’ status in the latest QS Star rankings.
The rankings are a university rating system that evaluates institutions on dozens of indicators across at least eight key categories, including Teaching, Employability, Research, and Facilities. Institutions receive a score of one to five stars overall, as well as star ratings in individual categories.
The University achieved five-star status in Teaching, Employability, Facilities, Good Governance, Environmental Impact, Global Engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Business Management Studies.
The Complete University Guide 2027 ranks 130 universities across the UK. Durham University was ranked sixth, down from its fifth place in 2026.