England’s best universities for the upcoming academic year have been named, and one Greater Manchester institution has made the cut.
And this is a very important title too, as it’s all according to current students.
It’s that time of year when higher education institutions nationwide await their annual rankings, and thankfully, Uni Compare has now released its highly-anticipated 2026 league tables ahead of the upcoming academic year, ready for prospective students to get the insight needed before choosing where to study.
Since launching its rankings back in 2020, the platform has become a trusted resource for students across England – with this year’s data drawing from the largest review database yet.
Uni Compare has amassed over 151,000 reviews and ratings since its inception, creating one of the UK’s most comprehensive student-led review databases focused exclusively on the university experience, and the 2026 rankings represent the culmination of 28,430 verified student reviews and ratings collected across 209 universities in England.
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The annual league tables focus exclusively on institutions in England, ranking them across five key student experience areas.
Accommodation, course quality, and student social life are just some of the student experience areas taken into consideration, and then the percentage score indicates the proportion of students who said they would recommend their university to others.
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The University of Salford has been named one of England’s best for 2026 / Credit: University of Salford
The only Greater Manchester university to make the top 10 list is the University of Salford, claiming a respectable ninth place with a 98% overall recommendation score.
Unlike many other round-up lists, northern cities – and particularly North West-based universities – dominate the top 10, with institutions such as Liverpool John Moores University, Edge Hill University, Leeds Beckett University, and Newcastle University all claiming spots within the coveted lineup.
Best Universities in England 2026
Middlesex University
Liverpool John Moores University
Nottingham Trent University
Newcastle University
Edge Hill University
University of Liverpool
University of Derby
Leeds Beckett University
University of Salford
University of Sheffield
Not only that, but the University of Liverpool and the University of Sheffield also rank highly, but despite all this, the north hasn’t claimed the top spot – that has gone to Middlesex University.
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“What stands out this year is just how competitive the top positions are,” commented Uni Compare founder, Owen O’Neill.
“The rankings reveal what students are actually experiencing day-to-day, from the quality of their accommodation, to how well they’re being prepared for their careers.
Groundbreaking new ‘rapid’ jab to treat 14 different cancer types now available on NHS
Emily Sergeant
A groundbreaking new ‘rapid’ cancer jab that can be administered in just 60 seconds is now available on the NHS.
It’s hoped that tens of thousands of patients on the NHS could benefit from the new immunotherapy jab – which is an injectable form of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) – as it can slash the time the treatment takes by up to 90%, helping people spend less time in hospital while also improving the health service’s productivity.
The jab can be used to treat 14 different types of cancer, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancers.
Put simply, it works by triggering immune cells to recognise and kill cancer cells.
The new under-the-skin injection replaces an intravenous (IV) infusion – which can take up to two hours in total, per session – sparing patients ‘unnecessary’ time in treatment units and freeing up capacity for clinicians to see and treat more people.
Tens of thousands of patients could benefit from a 'rapid' immunotherapy jab for over a dozen cancers.
Given in just minutes, the new jab will cut treatment time, help patients spend less time in hospital – and boost NHS productivity.
The treatment will be given every three weeks as a one-minute injection, or every six weeks as a two-minute injection, depending on an individual’s cancer type.
Currently, around 14,000 patients start pembrolizumab therapy each year in England, and most are now expected to benefit from this more-convenient treatment.
Speaking on the rollout of the new jab this week, Professor Peter Johnson, who is the NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “This immunotherapy offers a lifeline for thousands of patients and it’s fantastic that this new rapid jab can now take just a minute to deliver, meaning patients can get back to living their lives rather than spending hours in a hospital chair.
“Managing cancer treatment and regular hospital trips can be really exhausting.
“Not only will this innovation make therapy much quicker and more convenient for patients, it will also help free up vital appointments for NHS teams to treat more people and continue to bring down waiting times”.
Featured Image – NappyStudio (via Unsplash)
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2027 Manchester Marathon sells out in record time after biggest event ever
Danny Jones
The 2027 adidas Manchester Marathon has already sold out in record time after the biggest event in the race’s history.
Incredible stuff.
Yes, after more than 42,000 runners took on this year’s 26.2-mile challenge – the highest number to date – public places for next year’s Manchester Marathon have gone in the blink of an eye.
To be specific, they were snapped up in just 10 days: even faster than the last time around, with 2026 having also broken the previous fastest (or PB, if you will) time before that.
Posting on social media, the organisers wrote: “We’re blown away by the response as a record-breaking number of public places were secured during our launch window, and we’re now officially at capacity.
“Thank you for the amazing support. We can’t wait to help you turn your 26.2 dreams into reality.”
They also went on to remind people that even if they missed out, potential participants can still secure a place through their official charity partners.
Manchester Marathon maintains annual partnerships with the likes of Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Mind, and The Christie Charity.
Teaming up with numerous non-profit organisations over the decades after it first began way back in 1908, before enjoying multiple stints during the 1980s and late 90s into the noughties, huge sums have been raised over the years.
It’s never anything less than a heartwarming and inspiring day.
The modern MCR Marathon, as we know it, returned in its present format nearly a decade and a half ago, beginning its current collaboration with sportswear giants adidas, therefore helping raise the profile even further, with the 2026 fundraising tally also reaching a record-breaking £5.2 million this past April.
At the moment, the Manchester Marathon maintains annual partnerships with the likes of Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Mind, and The Christie Charity.
Once again, these organisations, along with the likes of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and many more, will continue to offer charity places for the 2027 Manchester Marathon, provided you can hit the fundraising total.
We don’t know about you, but we’re loving this city and the surrounding boroughs being well and truly in their running era, and we also urge all of you who make up part of the local culture to immerse yourself in all aspects – especially when it comes to the post-race season party…
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
Emily Sergeant -
9th June 2025 
