Six counties make up Eastern England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It’s known as one of the UK’s most picturesque regions, with some stunning beaches, pretty villages and inspiring landscapes. Many students opt to study here due to the excellent reputations of the universities in the area, as well as easy access to London and all the opportunities this brings.
If you’re thinking of studying in Eastern England, you’ve got plenty of options. Keep reading for our list of the best unis in the region, thanks to the Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables.
Universities in Eastern England
There are eight universities in Eastern England, each offering a different set of undergraduate courses and unique study environments:
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Bedfordshire
- University of Cambridge
- University of East Anglia UEA
- University of Essex
- University of Hertfordshire
- Norwich University of the Arts
- University of Suffolk
Best uni in Eastern England for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is proud to deliver a wide range of flexible courses, enabling a broader demographic of students to access higher education. It's safe to say that you'll find state-of-the-art facilities here, along with plenty of resources to support your learning. It's no wonder that students are so happy with their studies here.
Read what students are saying about University of Hertfordshire.
Best uni in Eastern England for graduate outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025)
University of Cambridge
Scoring an impressive 91% in graduate prospects on the Complete University Guide’s 2024 tables is the University of Cambridge. It has a world-class reputation and degrees from this elite institution are highly sought after by employers. Many courses offer work experience placements or the opportunity to study abroad, and you can also sign up for extra-curricular study visits and event work to boost your CV. The university has a great careers service which includes workshops on applying for jobs, regular careers fairs and briefings on employers and sectors.
Read what students are saying about the University of Cambridge.
Best uni in Eastern England for research quality (Complete University Guide 2025)
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge also comes out top of the region for research quality. Research institutions at Cambridge sustain ground-breaking discovery and innovation across areas such as life sciences, clinical medicine and humanities. The main university library is a copyright library, which means it holds a copy of every book published in Britain. It has over eight million books, journals and other documents dating back to ancient manuscripts. There are also library facilities in each department, and all students have access to online resources including a digital learning environment for each course.
Read what students are saying about the University of Cambridge.
Best uni in Eastern England overall (Complete University Guide 2025)
University of Cambridge
Unsurprisingly, the University of Cambridge scored highest out of all in Eastern England, and even claimed first place overall in the Complete University Guide’s 2024 league tables with an incredible 100%. Founded in 1209, it’s the world’s third-oldest university and one of the most prestigious. It’s respected all around the globe for teaching, research and academic excellence, and aims to attract the most passionate and academically able students. When studying here, you’ll benefit from highly personalised teaching time, with subject experts in your individual college and academic department.
Read what students are saying about the University of Cambridge.