Norwich University of the Arts moves up 25 places in The Complete University Guide

Norwich University of the Arts has been ranked among the UK’s top two specialist creative arts universities — and the highest outside London — in the 2026 edition of The Complete University Guide. The university has made a significant leap, rising 25 places to reach 57th out of 130 UK higher education institutions.

The Complete University Guide ranks universities based on 10 key performance indicators, including student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, student-staff ratio, and investment in academic and student services. Norwich’s rise reflects its continued commitment to academic excellence, industry-relevant teaching, and outstanding student experience.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr welcomed the results of the table:

“We’re delighted to be recognised as one of the UK’s top specialist creative arts universities in the 2026 Complete University Guide. This achievement — alongside being named Arts University of the Year and receiving a triple Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework — reflects the strength of teaching and learning at Norwich and the dedication of our staff and students.

At Norwich, our distinctive approach, shaped by industry engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration, is designed to support students in becoming independent, thoughtful professionals equipped to shape a rapidly changing world.”

Norwich strong performance places it ahead of several creative institutions, including:

• Arts University Bournemouth (61st)
• Falmouth University (62nd=)
• University of Brighton (88th)
• Leeds Arts University (102nd)
• University for the Creative Arts (111th)

The full league table can be viewed at TheCompleteUniversityGuide.co.uk.