Durham University has taken the crown as the Complete University Guide’s best higher education institution in North East England.
North East universities
The North East has had a fantastic year in the Complete University Guide’s rankings with notable universities climbing the ranking from previous years. These include Northumbria University, Newcastle which rose by six places, and the University of Sunderland which rose by nine places this year.
In the overall league tables, Durham University held its position in 6th place for another year sitting just below Imperial College London. Within the region Durham came top for research, academic services spend, facilities spend, graduate prospects and completion.
Within the region are pockets of subject-level excellence. There are examples of high quality subject rankings reinforcing the importance of looking below the overall ranking. Northumbria University, Newcastle (43rd) ranks nationally 8th for building, 6th for counselling, psychotherapy & occupational therapy, 8th for forensic science and 4th for information technology & systems.
Helping students to make decisions
Every year the Complete University Guide releases UK university and subject league tables to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future. The regional league tables help people find the right university for them in their area and are also informative for local employers to know what skills people are coming to the area to develop.
The Complete University Guide follows on from last month’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, building on the information available to prospective students to help them make the right decisions as they consider their higher education options.


Having three of the region’s universities ranking in the UK’s top 50 in this year’s Complete University Guide demonstrates how the region is on track for another year of high quality education and training provision for students and employers alike. Newcastle University and Northumbria University, Newcastle join Durham in the UK’s top 50 universities.