University of East London Recognized as University of the Year for Outstanding Teaching Quality

UEL is the top-ranked riser for teaching quality, reflective of record-breaking scores in the 2023 and 2024 National Student Surveys. In 2024, the University ranked 1st in London, 1st in England and 3rd in the UK for students’ overall positivity.

The Good University Guide recognition follows UEL’s outstanding rise of 40 places in the 2025 The Guardian University Guide league table, released on 7 September. UEL was the highest-ranked, most improved mover in the UK, with a top 10 (9th) ranking in London, according to The Guardian.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Amanda Broderick said, We have received outstanding feedback from our graduating students’ of 2023 and 2024. Our community is breaking down barriers and pioneering futures; validation for our strategic decision, six years ago, to transform our curriculum and student experience to ensure our students, who are among the most diverse in the country, have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take their place as leaders and innovators in the 5.0 economy.

“Our staff goes above and beyond every day to educate and inspire students, and they are among the very best in the country.

“We are committed to diversifying the talent pipeline and equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the workforce of the future. We are proud and grateful to continue to progress towards UEL’s vision to be the UK’s leading careers-first university and a pre-eminent engine for social mobility.

In comments released alongside this year’s Good University Guide, Editor Helen Davies, said, “The best universities — whether they were founded in the 15th century or 2005 — are local and global powerhouses of intellectual thought and creativity, from the arts to science, that can power economic regeneration and lead the way to a better life. But what and where to study — and how to pay for it — has never been tougher. This is where our comprehensive guide can help.”

Reflecting on the recent wave of positive accolades, Professor Broderick said, “Receiving strong external recognition underscores the transformative work UEL has done, and continues to do, to realise our transformative Vision 2028 strategy. Vision 2028, has produced tangible results that are positively impacting lives, and there is still more we look forward to achieving.”

“Our entire University community is working together in a shared commitment to ensuring students from all backgrounds are prepared to enter an ever-changing 5.0 economy while working to create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world.

The Times and The Sunday Times have produced university guides since 1993 and 1998 respectively. Since 2013, they have published a combined Good University Guide to provide the most comprehensive guide to higher education in Britain.

The list is based on an analysis of student satisfaction with teaching quality and their student experience, entry standards, research quality, sustainability, and graduate prospects. Since 2018 the guide also includes social inclusion rankings for universities in England and Wales, with a separate table for Scottish rankings.