The institution climbed 22 places in the Guardian University Guide 2027 – more than any other in London
Date: 12 September 2026
London Metropolitan University has again been recognised as one of the very best in the UK for the difference it makes to students’ lives, according to the Guardian University Guide 2027.
Published on Saturday, the Guardian’s overall table found the University to be one of the fastest improving in the UK and just outside the top half of all institutions.
The rankings, which are one of the most respected for UK higher education, also examine the value added by universities – how well students perform in their degrees compared to what would be expected from their entry grades.
With a score of 8 out of 10, London Met was ranked joint second in the UK alongside Goldsmiths, University of London – narrowly missing out on the title it claimed last year.
Professor Julie Hall, Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said:
“Following our first-place ranking last year for added value, it’s clear that London Met is consistently excelling at making a positive difference to the lives of people who choose to study here.
“No single metric can define a university’s success or failure, but our strong position this year confirms that we sit among the very best in the country at transforming lives through education. That sustained track record is something the whole university community is immensely proud of and this is why adding value to our students will be the central pillar of our 2032 Strategy.
“I am delighted that so many of our courses have received the recognition that they deserve as being at the forefront of their fields, including Interior Design, Sociology and Pharmacy. But we know that the same level of excellence and dedication is reflected across every department at London Met.”
Success across the board
London Met finished in 67th place overall out of over 120 universities – up from 89th the year before. It was also ranked as the 10th best in London – and the fastest improving in the capital.
The results showed that students scored the University especially highly for its teaching, continuation rates and assessment.
And the individual subject rankings displayed the great breadth of talent that exists across the institution – with five subjects in the top 10 for their fields, and 16 in the top 50.
London Met finished in the top 50 for:
- Interior design (2nd)
- Sociology and social policy (3rd)
- Pharmacy and pharmacology (7th)
- Fashion and textiles (7th)
- Sports science (10th)
- Fine art (17th)
- Nutrition and food science (17th)
- Film production (21st)
- Psychology (23rd)
- Graphic design (25th)
- Electrical and electronic engineering (27th)
- Architecture (29th)
- Law (31st)
- Hospitality, event management and tourism (38th)
- International relations (44th)
- Computer science and information systems (48th)
