Lancaster University named top in the north west in new Times guide

It took the regional top spot in the same year it took overall gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. It is working on one of the largest labs to focus on digital threats and cybersecurity in the region.

Lancaster University was also placed 12th in the national rankings.

The University of Cumbria, which has a campus in Lancaster, was placed 12th in the north west and 128th in the national rankings.

Helen Davies, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “The best universities — whether they were founded in the 15th century or 2005 — are local and global powerhouses of intellectual thought and creativity, from the arts to science, that can power economic regeneration and lead the way to a better life.

"But what and where to study — and how to pay for it — has never been tougher. This is where our comprehensive guide can help.

“This year we have tweaked our methodology to keep up with contemporary concerns around climate change and careers and have added in a sustainability metric, teaming up with People & Planet, and boosted the weighting of graduate prospects.

“The higher education sector is facing unprecedented challenges from debates on free speech to financial stability, but it is important to remember the force for good that going to university can be.”

A fully searchable website with 70 subject tables, full interactive tables and additional features is online at https://www.thetimes.com/uk-university-rankings