University of Hertfordshire Rankings

Global Rankings

• QS World University Rankings 2026: University of Hertfordshire is ranked in the #901–950 band globally, reflecting its growing global profile among universities worldwide.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026: Placed in the 601–800 range globally, measuring performance across teaching, research, citations and international outlook.

UK National Rankings

• Guardian University Guide 2026: Herts is ranked among the top 50 UK universities, rising significantly and showing strong student outcomes. Placed at the 49th position, it shows impressive teaching quality and satisfaction, with this being the university’s best performance to date.
• Complete University Guide 2026: Positioned 82nd in the UK, with notable subject strengths and improved graduate prospects and continuation rates.
• The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026: University ranked 67th nationally, with high ratings in student satisfaction and academic support.

Other Notable Rankings

• Daily Mail University Guide 2026: Ranked 51st in the UK, with excellent subject-level results and strong student experience scores.
• QS Stars Rating (2025): University of Hertfordshire received an overall 5 Stars in multiple categories, including employability, facilities and global engagement, a quality signal even beyond traditional rankings. 

Research Excellence at the University of Hertfordshire

Herts has progressed in national research assessments:

• In the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the university’s research was placed in the top 25% nationally for impact, with a large proportion rated world-leading or internationally excellent, an important marker of research quality. 

Employability & Outcomes

While many global rankings focus on academic reputation and research, metrics like graduate employment and industry engagement are strong aspects for the University of Hertfordshire, such as high employability scores in QS Stars and strong national league table performance in career-related categories.

What These Rankings Mean for You

• Global visibility: Performing consistently in QS and Times Higher Education means a degree at the University of Hertfordshire is recognised and respected internationally, which can help with further study or global career options.
• Strong UK standing: Top 50 national placement (Guardian) shows excellence in student experience, teaching quality and outcomes, key factors if you’re choosing where to study in the UK.
• Research credibility: A strong REF result signals meaningful research impact, which benefits postgraduate students and those seeking research-led learning.
• Career readiness: Rankings that include employability indicators suggest Hertfordshire prepares you for real-world jobs and strong graduate outcomes.