Six Scottish institutions have ranked inside the top 30 across the country, including the University of St Andrew which has topped the UK-wide academic league table.
The University of Edinburgh is the Capital top-ranking university, earning a spot at number four in Scotland and number 17 across the UK.
Heriot-Watt University, which ranked 8th in Scotland and 41st in the UK, also picked up an award for Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2027.
Elsewhere on the UK-wide rankings, Imperial College London was named University of the Year 2027, while both Cambridge and Oxford were locked out of the top three spots for only the second time in the 33-year history of the Good University Guide 2027.
Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “Intellectual vigour, innovation, inspiration and ambition are alive and well on university campuses across the UK. As I edit this guide, I never fail to be energised by the optimism, scholarship and cutting-edge discoveries that burnish our leading higher education institutions.
“What shines through more than ever this year is an emphasis on preparing students for future careers. Universities have tailored their campuses to suit hands-on learning with mock court rooms, simulations of clinical settings — some even serve the public — and trading floors.
“But, for this next generation of students and the higher education sector at large, this is a challenging time with institutions struggling with their own finances, and the toughest graduate jobs market in more than a decade. There are hard questions to ask: can I afford it? What will I get from a degree? Is it worth it?
“This is where our guide comes in. We are here to help, whether it is about deciding what subject to study, where to go, or how student loans really work.”
Find out how Scottish universities fared on the list in our gallery below (Credit: The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027)
5. University of Dundee
Just across the Forth, the University of Dundee has ranked fifth in this year's Good University Guide. The east coast institution has also risen three spots to reach 20 in the UK list. | Canva/Getty Images
6. University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen takes it place at sixth on this year's list. The institution has actually dropped in the UK rankings, coming in at 28 compared to the 2026 ranking of 23. | Canva/Getty Images
7. University of Stirling
Located in the Central Belt, the University of Stirling has come in at number seven in the Scottish rankings, while claiming the 37th spot in the UK list. | Adobe Stock
8. Heriot-Watt University
The second Edinburgh institution makes its appearance on the list at number eight in Scotland. Heriot-Watt University has also ranked at 42 in the full UK list. The university has also been named as the Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2027.