If you're planning to study in Yorkshire and the Humber, we're here to help you find the perfect uni in the region. Check out our list of the top unis in the area to find out which unis rank highly.
Updated: 25 Sept 2025The region of Yorkshire and the Humber boasts some outstanding educational institutions. As well as great unis, it’s full of beautiful countryside to explore, excellent transport links and great student nightlife. The main cities are Leeds and York, but there are plenty of smaller places worth looking at such as Sheffield, Bradford and Hull, each offering a different university experience.
We’ve used the Complete University Guide’s 2026 league tables to put together this list of top universities in the area, based on the criteria that is important to students.
The 11 universities in Yorkshire and the Humber provide a huge variety of subjects and undergraduate experiences to choose from:
The University of Sheffield is a prestigious research university in South Yorkshire, known for its excellence in education, research, and innovation. The university offers a comprehensive selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It delivers a balance of academic rigour, extra-curricular enrichment, affordability, and a wide variety of activities in the local and regional areas.
NEXT: Read what students are saying about University of Sheffield.
The University of York is a member of the elite Russell Group, one of 24 research-intensive, world-class universities in the UK. It boasts outstanding teaching and research spanning the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences, focusing on some of the most pressing needs of today’s world. Renowned researchers deliver the courses and bring real-world expertise into their teaching. The uni has nearly one million printed volumes, rare books and archival resources available from the main library, and a huge selection of e-books, e-journals and multimedia accessible online.
NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of York.
It's the University of York once more! The uni has come top of the research quality category for 2026.
NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of York.
The University of York is well respected and an acclaimed member of the Russell Group. It has a strong focus on research and courses are taught by leading experts in their field, alongside world-class research facilities. York is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK, and the uni is an integral part of the city. The campus is in walking distance from the city centre, and itself houses 11 colleges and most of the uni's departments, so you'll never be too far from where you need to be.
NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of York.