Awards and excellence
Herts ranked as a Guardian Top 50 University
That dedication has earned us a place among the UK’s Top 50 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2026. We were also proud to be shortlisted for University of the Year in the 2025 Times Higher Education Awards, one of just six universities recognised for excellence in student experience, innovation, research impact and global engagement
The recognition we’ve earned stands as proof of the passion and dedication of our staff, the ambition of our students, and the impact we make both regionally, nationally and globally.
Key achievements
Explore how Herts excels across key areas, including education, student success, research, enterprise and global reach and reputation, through the highlights below.
Education and student success
Top 25% in the UK for student satisfaction
We climbed 13 places in the National Student Survey 2025, reflecting rising student satisfaction.
Silver award in the national Teaching Excellence Framework
Recognised for excellent teaching, learning and strong student outcomes in TEF 2023.
6th in the UK for facilities
Voted for by students in the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
8th in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction
Ranked 8th of 102 universities for student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.
Research and enterprise
Awarded the highest ranking in KEF 2025
Recognised for exceptional impact in research partnerships, local growth, and regional regeneration initiatives.
Top 25% of all universities for research impact (REF 2021)
Recognised for research that shapes policy, improves lives, drives innovation and enriches society.
Our research impact is rated outstanding (REF 2021)
Our research makes a difference – 90% rated as outstanding or very considerable for research impact.
Accredited with the prestigious Small Business Charter
Recognised for outstanding support of SMEs, entrepreneurs and local economic growth.
Global reach and reputation
Guardian Top 50 University
We've been ranked for teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate success in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Only university to win a King’s Award for Enterprise
We won the King’s Award 2024 for outstanding global growth and strategic internationalisation.
Rated 5 Stars (Excellent) by QS Stars
Proud to be rated 5 stars for outstanding teaching, employability, facilities and social impact.
Shortlisted for University of the Year – THE Awards 2025
Recognised for excellence, innovation and impact in higher education.
View the full list
- Ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for student satisfaction (NSS Survey 2025)
- 1st in the UK for animation and game design (Guardian University Guide, 2026)
- 1st in the UK for teaching training (Daily Mail University Guide, 2026)
- 1st in the East of England for nursing and midwifery (Complete University Guide 2026)
- 1st in the East of England for aeronautical and aerospace engineering (Complete University Guide 2024)
- 1st in the East of England for medical technology and bioengineering (Complete University Guide 2026)
- Best Design Education Institution in the UK (World Brand Design Society, 2024-5)
- Best creative school in the UK and the only UK university to make the global top 30 (The Rookies Top Global Creative Schools, 2025)
- 2nd in the UK for mental health nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2025)
- 3rd in the UK for counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025)
- Achieved 82% overall satisfaction in postgraduate research degrees (PRES 2025)
- Awarded Silver in the national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023)
- 6th in the UK for facilities (Whatuni Student Choice Awards, 2023)
- Ranked eighth overall and achieved sector-leading results across areas of teaching and learning in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES 2025)
- 90.4% of undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (UK domicile, Full Time study, 2022/23 graduates)
- 72.2% of employed undergraduates are in highly skilled jobs 15 months after graduation (UK domicile, Full Time study, 2022/23 graduates)
- 93.8% of employed postgraduates are in highly skilled jobs 15 months after graduation (UK domicile, Full Time study, 2022/23 graduates)
- Only university to be awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024
- Ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (REF 2021)
- 90% of research impact rated as outstanding (4*) or very considerable (3*) (REF 2021)
- Herts proudly holds the Small Business Charter accreditation, recognising leading business schools in the UK and Ireland for their outstanding support of small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local economic growth
- In 2019, the University of Hertfordshire was awarded University Enterprise Zone (UEZ) status, along with £1.1 million of funding to support start-ups and small businesses, and to increase economic growth, employment, and investment in the county
- Herts was awarded the highest ranking of “Very High Engagement” in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) 2025 for its activities focused on Research Partnerships and Local Growth and Regeneration. The University also scored strongly across other KEF perspectives, including Intellectual Property and Commercialisation (IP), Continuing Professional Development and Graduate Start-Ups, Working with the Public Sector and Third Sector, and Working with Business, with all rated as “High Engagement”
- Shortlisted for Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare at the 2026 Apprenticeship Guide Awards
- Ranked among the top 15% of universities for local growth and regeneration (KEF5)
- Herts is ranked one of the top 50 universities in the UK, climbing 26 places to rank 49th in the 2026 Guardian University Guide
- Strong rises in The Times University Guide 2026, we are now ranked at number 67 in the country – an increase of 16 places from 2025
- The University has risen three places to rank 51st in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026
- Herts has risen two places in the 2026 Complete University Guide securing the 82nd position in the national higher education rankings
- Herts is proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, as part of the UK Government’s voluntary Disability Confident Scheme. This status reflects our commitment to recruiting, supporting, and retaining individuals with disabilities, and highlights our dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace
- We're one of 100 universities awarded the Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award, acknowledging our ongoing work to advance racial equity and promote inclusive practices across our institution
- Herts ranks among the top 100 employers in Stonewall’s UK Workplace Equality Index (WEI), a leading benchmarking tool that evaluates progress in creating an inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans employees
- We have been awarded the Silver Athena Swan Award by Advance HE, celebrating our sustained commitment to gender equality and diversity since receiving our first award in 2018
- The University’s Business School was honoured as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Higher Education Partner of the Year at the 2024 CMI Awards of Excellence
- In partnership with Morgan Sindall, the University’s cutting-edge Spectra building – home to the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science – secured two top honours at the Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards: Project of the Year and Client of the Year
- We are the official higher education partner of Watford FC
- We are the official university partner of London Mavericks
- Herts catering provider Aramark has been awarded a Gold Hertfordshire Responsible Food Award in recognition of its outstanding commitment to healthier food choices and sustainability
- Herts has been awarded Silver Hedgehog-Friendly Campus status for 2024 – 2025
- Our alumni podcast, Powered By Herts, won a CASE Best of Europe Region Award 2025 for the Podcasts (Occasional) category
- Best Event Experience for Festival of Ideas 2024 (Heist Awards, 2025)
