Best universities in North West England

Ah, the North West. There are so many reasons to study here, but one of the big pulls is the diversity of the region. Whether you’re after a campus uni, a city uni, a small town, a musical city or a foodie city, the North West has something for everyone. 

With thousands of courses to choose from, you have loads of choice if you’re planning to study in the North West of England. To help you find the uni that’s right for you, we’ve put together a list of the best universities in the North West. With the help of Complete University Guide’s 2027 league tables, we’ve found the unis that rank top for a range of criteria important to students. 

Universities in North West England 

You’ll find 12 universities across the region, each offering their own unique appeal and a wide range of courses. The unis in the North West of England are: 

• University of Bolton

• University of Central Lancashire

• University of Chester

• University of Cumbria

• Edge Hill University

• Lancaster University

• University of Liverpool

• Liverpool Hope University

• Liverpool John Moores University

• University of Manchester

• Manchester Metropolitan University

• University of Salford

Best uni in North West England for student satisfaction 

Liverpool Hope University

Liverpool Hope University is a modern institution with two teaching campuses in Liverpool, offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university is well-known for maintaining an extremely high quality of teaching. Liverpool Hope University prides itself on its high academic standards and research informed tuition.

NEXT: Read what students are saying about the Liverpool Hope University.

Best uni in North West England for graduate outcomes 

University of Cumbria

A relatively new institution, the University of Cumbria has given its students a huge boost in graduate outcomes, meaning a degree from this uni can really help your career.

NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of Cumbria.

Best uni in North West England for research quality 

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a research-driven institution and places great pride in the quality of its research. In the past, research from the University of Manchester has contributed to the development of the first stored-program computer as well as the establishment of modern economic theory. Today, the uni is committed to finding new solutions to the biggest problems faced in the world today, from cancer treatment to fighting poverty to finding sustainable energy solutions. 

NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of Manchester.

Best uni in North West England overall 

Lancaster University 

Lancaster University fosters a close-knit, welcoming community while also delivering high quality research. The uni is consistently highly ranked in league tables thanks to the care and attention paid across all aspects of the university. As a student at Lancaster, you’ll benefit from the unis comprehensive student support, covering areas from employability to financial hardship and health issues. The uni is invested in supporting all its students to reach their potential, and has a number of programs in place to achieve this. 

NEXT: Read what students are saying about Lancaster University.