Bournemouth University has risen five places and is ranked in the top third of universities in Europe, according to the latest QS World University rankings.
The university is ranked 295th out of 958 institutions in the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Europe. Despite an additional 291 institutions being added to the rankings since last year, BU has been able to retain, and improve on, its place in the top 300.
The rankings measure the performance of the universities against their quality of teaching, the impact of their research, employment prospects for graduates, and opportunities for students to study and carry out work placements overseas.
This year, BU performed particularly strongly in the following areas:
- The number of BU students who undertake exchanges to overseas universities and the number of overseas students who come to BU on exchange. BU features in the Top 50 universities in the UK in both categories.
- BU is also in the top 50 in the UK for the diversity of international universities it partners with in its research.
- BU ranked in the top 150 in Europe for its International Faculty Ratio which reflects the breadth of nationalities among its academic staff.
- It was also ranked in the top 150 in Europe for the influence of research carried out by academic staff, measured by how often its work is cited by other institutions.
Professor Alison Honour, CEO and Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, said, “When our students graduate, they will enter an international workforce and the best way to prepare them for that is to offer them a global university experience. Studying alongside international students and staff and having opportunities to work and study abroad will help them build up their confidence and ambition.
“This ranking position reflects the work of everyone across BU to help our students develop an international outlook that will help them whatever career direction they take.”
Find out more about our rankings and awards on the BU website.
To view rankings in full, visit the QS University Rankings website.
