Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has won the Runner-Up Award for Specialist University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
The guide provides a definitive ranking for UK universities and the most comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain. Making use of the latest data, it features everything from research reputation and campus facilities to scholarships, bursaries and nightlife.
The Times placed AUB 73rd, a rise of five places on its position last year, making it the second best art and design specialist university in the UK. In the south west, AUB came 7th overall, and is the top specialist university in the region.
The news follows on from The Guardian’s University Guide published on Saturday 13 September, which saw AUB recognised by The Guardian as one of the top three highest risers for 2026, moving up from 100th place last year to 60th this year. AUB’s high ranking in The Guardian for 2026 also places it as the top art and design specialist university outside of London.
Lisa Mann, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at AUB, comments: “To have both these esteemed national papers rank us so highly as a specialist university in their guides is an amazing achievement for us as a university.
“Being recognised as a runner-up nationally by The Times and the best outside of London by both The Times and The Guardian reinforces our place as being one of the best art and design specialist universities in the country.
“It’s been a challenging year for Higher Education across the board, and I’m so proud of everyone at AUB for delivering consistently high standards of teaching and support ensuring these fantastic results in the league tables this year.”
A 96-page supplement will be published with The Sunday Times on Sunday 21 September.
