Bournemouth University (BU) has risen four places to 41st in the UK and is ranked in the top 500 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings for 2026.
The THE World University Rankings lists the best universities in the world, selected from 2,191 institutions, from 115 countries and territories.
The rankings measure the work of the universities against their quality of teaching, research, their ability to help industry with innovation, and their ability to recruit students nationally and internationally.
This year BU has scored highly in:
Industry: BU’s biggest increase was in this category, moving up 74 places in its worldwide ranking and up five places in its UK ranking; recognising our increased focus on supporting local and national industry with new innovations and inventions.
International Outlook: BU moved up seven places worldwide and one place within the UK in this category, which measures international staff and student recruitment and research collaborations.
Research Environment: BU moved up nine places in its worldwide ranking for its research volume, the reputation of its research and the income it generated.
Research Quality: BU moved up 40 places in its worldwide ranking and nine places in the UK for its quality of research output and its role in spreading new knowledge and ideas.
Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, said, “These THE World University Rankings are the only global performance tables that measure universities across their core activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. For Bournemouth University to have performed so well across these measures, at a challenging time for all higher education providers, is a testament to the work of our teams and demonstrates the quality of our approach. I am particularly pleased to see the scores reflect our efforts to work effectively in partnership with industry and to increase our international outlook. These are key features of our plans for the future as we make the most of our local distinctiveness and seek to take Bournemouth to the world.
“These rankings are not just good for the university, but are also good for our students, partners and for the region.”
Find out more about our rankings and awards on the BU website.
To view The World University rankings in full, including BU’s full scoring, visit the Times Higher Education (THE) website.
