Bath wins Sport University of the Year 2026 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide

The institution is also awarded University of the Year in the Southwest 2026, a new category acknowledging the rise in undergraduates choosing to stay at home and commute to University. Bath is one of two Universities highly commended for the University of the Year award (an award it received in 2023).

Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro Vice Chancellor of Student Experience and Sport, said: “It means so much to us that Bath has been named Sport University of the Year, as it reflects our commitment to offer sport at every level, whether you are an elite athlete striving for excellence or someone who enjoys being active for your health and wellbeing, there is something for everyone at the University. Our pioneering research in injury prevention and bio banding means that sport at Bath is also making a huge impact on the lives of people worldwide through our high-profile partnerships.”

Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport, said: “Every year we welcome over 1.5 million people to our Sports Training Village and we are consistently investing in our facilities to ensure we’re providing a high-quality experience. This year we were proud to open the first fully recyclable 3G pitch in the UK, used week in week out by professional, student and community teams, plus our new outdoor multi-use games area for a diverse range of sports.”

Angus Gueterbock, Students’ Union (SU) Sports Officer, said: “This award is recognition of the hard work and commitment of our elected Student Union committee members and student volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to nurture the sports community that we are all so proud of.”

Bath placed highly in several individual subject rankings, including:

• Sports Science – 1st
• Accounting and Finance – 3rd
• Criminology – 3rd
• Mechanical Engineering – 5th
• Chemical Engineering – joint 5th
• Social Work – joint 5th

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “It is exciting to see universities across the UK working to deliver extraordinary medical and technical breakthroughs, lead economic regeneration and inspire. New degrees are launching to meet the interests of today’s students and equip the next generation to power industry and progress positive change, such as programmes in electrical and electronic engineering with robotics, and AI and public policy.”

Sport at Bath: A snapshot

• Earlier this year Bath was ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for sports, benchmarked against more than 1,500 institutions worldwide. The University was also ranked 1st for Sports Science in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
• The Student Sports Pass, provided to every student gives free access to wide range of on-campus sports activities and facilities. Over 17,000 students made use of the pass in 24/25.
• 6,500 students are members of at least one of The SU's (SU’s) 56 Sports Clubs.
• Last year, Bath SU Sport volunteers organised over 740 fixtures involving 67 different teams across19 different sports
• A Student Performance Sport Programme is helping 400 high-performing student-athletes, some have gone on to win medals and titles in the Olympics, World and European and National competitions.
• As a UK Sport-accredited Elite Training Centre, Bath hosts 14 National Sporting & Professional Club Partnerships
• At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 17 Team Bath-associated athletes were medallists.
• Athletes from the Bath-based British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association will compete at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

This result means Bath retains its position as one of the UK’s top 10 universities in all four of the most influential national rankings The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University Guide, and the  Daily Mail University Guide and is also ranked in the Top 10% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings.