Glasgow Caledonian ranked UK’s top modern university
Glasgow Caledonian has been named the UK’s Modern University of the year in a top national ranking.
The University’s remarkable achievement in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025 sees it ranked 40th overall in the UK, climbing four places from last year. In addition to winning the title of Modern University of the year, Glasgow Caledonian is also the highest-ranked among the 71 modern universities in the UK—those established after 1992—in this latest edition of the guide.
This ranking builds upon Glasgow Caledonian's position as the top modern university in Scotland across all key UK league tables.
A key strength of the University, highlighted in the new guide, is our success in developing and placing graduates in high-skilled jobs, where we are ranked joint 15th overall in the UK with 81.5% of graduates working in high-skilled jobs within 15 months of graduating. The award also recognises the University's outstanding achievements in student success, placing Glasgow Caledonian 9th in the UK in the “career on track” category, based on whether graduates feel their careers are on track 15 months after leaving.
A total of 12 performance indicators feed into the Daily Mail ranking, covering student satisfaction with teaching quality; support and their wider university experience; graduate jobs outcomes and salaries; research quality and income; degree outcomes; student progression; entry standards; and, uniquely, a measure of universities' commitment to social mobility, measured through the proportion of first-generation students registered.
The Daily Mail University Guide, now in its second year, ranked 129 universities across the UK.
Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: “Glasgow Caledonian University delivers for its students in spades. It is not just the highest-ranking modern university in the UK, it has a graduate job record that trumps many of the Russell Group. Just 14 universities get more students into high-skilled jobs and the university is in the top 10 for graduates feeling their careers are on track.
“In naming Glasgow Caledonian as Modern University of the year, we have recognised the impact the university makes across multiple disciplines, and, in particular, as one of the UK’s largest providers of health care, social care and life science graduates to the NHS.
“The Daily Mail ranking seeks to recognise universities that are the greatest agents of social mobility; it is no accident that Glasgow Caledonian fares so well. Glasgow Caledonian leads the field in opening up higher education to the widest possible audience: no Scottish university admits more students from areas of the highest deprivation, changing life prospects and fulfilling dreams.
“Glasgow Caledonian serves its community in Glasgow and Scotland more widely with distinction, delivering on its founding mission to be a university for ‘the common good’. With more than 800 graduate apprentices, the university is the leading provider of apprenticeships in Scotland and has embraced an initiative critical to the future success of universities across the UK. Progressive, innovative and socially aware, Glasgow Caledonian is our Modern University of the year in every sense.”
Glasgow Caledonian University Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Steve Decent, said: “Being named the UK's Modern University of the year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. This achievement builds on our success as the largest and leading modern university in Scotland, and with the highest number of Scottish undergraduate entrants for 2023-24 among all universities in Scotland. Our mission is to transform lives through excellent education and research that is accessible and impactful for the people of Glasgow and beyond. This accolade is a clear recognition of ongoing success in delivering this mission.”