Complete University Guide 2025: Swansea University ranked in UK top 40

Swansea University has achieved notable recognition in the 2025 Complete University Guide rankings, securing its position in 39^th place in the UK.

Every year the Complete University Guide releases UK university and subject league tables to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future.

The main league table ranks 130 UK universities based on measures including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects.

Swansea is one of only four Welsh institutions out of eight to have improved their rank this year and is the second highest ranked Welsh institution in the guide.

The Guide’s ‘Graduate Prospects’ metric shows that 82 per cent of Swansea University graduates go on to graduate level employment or further study and is ranked 35^th in the UK. The ‘Graduate Prospects – On Track’ metric has improved by 21 places to 44^th in the UK with 78 per cent of graduates agreeing they were on track with their career progression.

The subject tables are based on six measures (entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, continuation, graduate prospects – outcomes and graduate prospects – on track) and include 154 universities, university colleges and specialist higher education institutions.

A total of 31 out of 44 subjects (70 per cent) offered at Swansea University are recognized among the top 30 in the UK, reaffirming its status as a premier institution for diverse and high-quality education.

Seven subjects are now positioned within the top 10, 15 are ranked in the top 20, while a further nine have earned esteemed placements within the top 30.

The subjects featured in the top ten are:

Complementary Medicine – 1

Paramedic Science – 2

Childhood & Youth Studies – 5

American Studies – 5

Social Work – 6

Pharmacology & Pharmacy – 6

Materials Technology – 9

Our highest climber this year was Sports Science climbing 12 places from 27^th to a UK top 15 position.

Professor Judith Lamie, Swansea University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), said: “I am delighted that Swansea University has achieved significant recognition in the 2025 Complete University Guide rankings, securing a commendable 39^th place in the UK. These results underscore our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that prepares our students for successful careers as reflected in the Graduate Prospects scores and ranks.

These latest rankings follow the recent publication of the QS World University Rankins by Subject, which saw Swansea deliver its best-ever performance for the third year in a row. With each accolade, Swansea University cements its status as a beacon of excellence, renowned for its unwavering commitment to top-tier education and groundbreaking research.”

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide advisory board, said: “Today’s data from the Complete University Guide’s 2025 rankings show the value of higher education in shaping the careers of graduates across the UK. In this increasingly complex and competitive job market, it’s great to see that 80% of graduates are not only quickly moving into graduate-level roles but also embracing opportunities for continued learning and professional development through postgraduate study.”

View the league tables results in full.