Best universities for Astronomy (2026)

16 UK universities teaching Astronomy as a full-time degree, ranked on graduate pay, jobs, student satisfaction, students staying on and entry points.

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#	University	Score	Salary 5 yrs on	Working or studying	Satisfied	Typical UCAS
1	Imperial College London Westminster, London · TEF Gold	71	£59k	90%	91%	160
2	UCL Camden, London · TEF Silver	64	£50.5k	95%	82%	192
3	University of Liverpool Liverpool, North West · TEF Gold	57	£36k	100%	85%	120
4	University of St Andrews Scotland	56	£39.5k	65%	94%	232
5	University of Sussex Brighton and Hove, South East · TEF Silver	52	£42.5k	90%	84%	136
6	Royal Holloway, University of London Runnymede, South East · TEF Silver	50	£34k	88%	87%	128
7	Cardiff University Cardiff, Wales	49	£36k	70%	88%	136
8	Nottingham Trent University Nottingham, East Midlands · TEF Gold	49	£32k	75%	91%	104
9	University of Newcastle Upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, North East · TEF Silver	48	£33.5k	90%	81%	128
10	University of Hertfordshire Welwyn Hatfield, East of England · TEF Silver	47	£36k	70%	92%	136
11	University of Glasgow Scotland	46	£37k	85%	81%	200
12	Aberystwyth University Ceredigion, Wales	46	£29k	85%	88%	104
13	University of Central Lancashire Preston, North West · TEF Silver	45	£26.5k	90%	92%	104
14	University of Edinburgh Scotland	42	£37k	85%	73%	192
15	University of Dundee Scotland	42	£34.5k	85%	79%	168
16	University of Keele Newcastle-under-Lyme, West Midlands · TEF Gold	41	£30.5k	65%	95%	88

How the score works: universities are compared within each subject on salary five years after graduating (27%), the share in work or further study (18%), student satisfaction (18%), students staying on (13.5%), typical UCAS points (13.5%, compared within each nation) and the TEF rating (10%, England). 50 is typical. Figures: Discover Uni (Office for Students, HESA), National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes, HMRC LEO earnings; full-time first degrees.

Questions

What is the best university for Astronomy?

On our measures Imperial College London ranks first for Astronomy, followed by UCL, University of Liverpool, University of St Andrews. Rankings depend on what matters to you, so compare pay, jobs and satisfaction.

Which university's Astronomy graduates earn the most?

Imperial College London: typical earnings of £59k five years after graduating (HMRC tax records).