University of Bradford climbs into Daily Mail UK top 30 after third successive rise
The University of Bradford has broken into the Daily Mail University Guide’s UK top 30 for the first time following its third successive rise in the national rankings.
Ranked joint 29th out of 128 universities, Bradford was praised for its support for students, strong graduate employment outcomes and long-standing commitment to social mobility.
The guide described Bradford as a university that continues its “ascent” in the rankings, highlighting the institution’s success in helping students secure highly skilled jobs and its role as one of the country’s leading universities for social inclusion.
Student support
The guide recognised the University’s extensive student support provision, including hardship funding, bursaries, mental health support and targeted assistance for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
During 2024-25, the University awarded more than £2.7 million in grants and bursaries to students, while hundreds more received hardship support to help them continue their studies during a challenging economic climate.
The latest ranking follows a series of recent accolades for the University. Earlier this week, the University was ranked first in England by the Social Mobility Commission for recruiting the most disadvantaged students, when location is factored in.
Professor Gillian Murray, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “This recognition reflects something that has been central to Bradford for many years: a commitment to opening doors and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
“Universities have a responsibility not only to provide excellent education, but to support students throughout their journey and help them develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive.
“What is particularly encouraging about this ranking is the recognition of student support alongside graduate outcomes and social mobility. These are all closely connected. When talented people are given the right opportunities and support, extraordinary things can happen.
“Our graduate outcomes speak for themselves. We are proud to deliver world-leading research and innovation that creates opportunities in the industries of tomorrow, including emerging sectors such as the space industry. We are also on track to become the leading university in the North for empowering entrepreneurs, supported by our dedicated business start-up ecosystem.”
Ranking success
The University is ranked among the world’s top 500 universities in the QS World University Rankings and is a top 20 English university for graduates entering highly skilled employment.
Nine out of ten graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, while Bradford has topped the Social Mobility Index for five consecutive years.
Bradford is also consistently ranked among the UK’s most affordable places to study, ranked 1st in 2025 and 2026 by StudentCrowd.