The best and worst universities in Scotland have now been revealed in the 2025 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
After being named the best university in the UK last year, St Andrews has slipped to second place with the London School of Economics and Political Science surpassing it in this year’s rankings.
Based on factors including entry standards, degrees awarded, staff to student ratio and overall satisfaction rates, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide ranks institutions from the best to the worst.
Here are the 14 best and worst universities in Scotland according to the 2025 Good University Guide.

1. University of St Andrews
While last year St Andrews University ranked number one in the UK, this year it has fallen to second. However, it has been named as the Scottish University of the Year 2025 as well as the University of the Year for Student Experience 2025 in the Good University Guide. | Jean-Marie MAILLET - stock.adobe.com

2. University of Aberdeen
Scotland’s second best university goes to Aberdeen. Rising four places from last year, the University of Aberdeen is among the UK’s twenty best universities as well as Scotland’s second best. | popovj2 - stock.adobe.com

3. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow has been named Scotland’s third best in the 2025 Good University Guide. The long-standing institution was ranked 16th in the UK, falling four places from last year. | Getty Images

4. University of Edinburgh
Managing to stay within the top five, the University of Edinburgh is Scotland’s fourth best university and joint 14th in the wider UK rankings alongside the University of York. | AdobeStock