Bournemouth University has been ranked among the top 500 universities in the world in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The rankings assess more than two thousand institutions from 115 countries and measure performance in teaching, research, industry collaboration and international reach.
Bournemouth University (BU) achieved strong results across several key areas, with its biggest improvement in the “industry” category. BU moved up 74 places globally and 72 places in the UK for its work supporting innovation and partnerships with local and national businesses. Its score in this category rose from 39.7 to 46.4.
In research quality, BU climbed 40 global places and 21 UK places, increasing its score from 87.8 to 89.3. The university also advanced in international outlook and research environment, showing steady year-on-year progress.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour said the results demonstrate the strength of the university’s teaching and research, as well as its partnerships with industry.
She said the rankings are a testament to the dedication of staff and reflect BU’s ambition to “take Bournemouth to the world” while supporting students and partners across the region.
BU now shares its 401–500 ranking bracket with institutions including Washington State University in the US, Charles Darwin University in Australia and Brunel University in London.
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