What are the most inclusive universities in the UK (2026)?

You may be wondering why we’re looking into the most inclusive universities in the UK.

The fact is, inclusion in university cannot be understated. Diversity and inclusion ensures equitable access to education, empowering all students—regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or identity—to feel valued, respected, and represented.

This enables campuses to be hubs of innovation, expanding worldviews while preparing students for a collaborative, global workforce.

When it comes to opening doors for students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, it’s not Oxford or Cambridge setting the standard.  Rather, here are the most inclusive universities in the UK.

Most inclusive universities in the UK as of 2026

Times Higher Education has assessed and ranked 1,261 universities from 110 countries/territories for their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10: reduced inequalities.

The top institutions stand out for their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion. Through comprehensive research and effective implementation of policies, these universities work towards equitable income growth and responsible migration.

Here is the top 10 within the UK and what they rank globally.

1. University of Huddersfield (#1)
2. London South Bank University (#6)
3. Sheffield Hallam University (#7)
4. Middlesex University (#8)
5. University of Glasgow (#12)
6. University of East Anglia (#13)
7. Bangor University (=#15)
8. Nottingham Trent University (#19)
9. Aston University (=#22)
10. University of Liverpool (=#24)

The University of Huddersfield shows up on both lists (most inclusive universities and top universities for social mobility) in the UK. Source: University of Huddersfield

Top UK universities for upward social mobility as of 2026

So we’ve gathered the most inclusive universities in the UK. What about after university? Which are the universities that actually support socioeconomically disadvantaged students move upward and onward?

The 2025 English Social Mobility Index, compiled by London South Bank University (LSBU) and published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) in March 2026, ranks English universities on how effectively they support socioeconomically disadvantaged students — not just getting them through the door, but helping them graduate and secure strong career outcomes.

1. University of Bradford
2. Aston University
3. University of Wolverhampton
4. Birmingham Newman University
5. University of Salford
6. University of Greater Manchester
7. Birmingham City University
8. Imperial College London
9. University of Huddersfield
10. London School of Economics and Political Science

We can see some repeat names between these two lists. Aston University and University of Huddersfield were also recognised as some of the most inclusive universities in the UK.

How they were ranked

The study by HEPI tracks the social distance travelled by graduates, combining access, continuation, and outcomes data for undergraduate students across all modes of study.

The methodology also adjusts graduate earnings by region to account for the wage premium enjoyed by London-based graduates — ensuring that universities outside the capital aren’t unfairly penalised for their location.

Notably, universities in the West Midlands make up four of the 10, alongside two from Yorkshire and the Humber, two from the North West, and two from London.

As with previous years, the universities dominating traditional prestige rankings are largely absent from this one. The index is a reminder that elite reputation and genuine social mobility are not the same thing.

HEPI director Nick Hillman noted that the index “puts the focus wholly on students and their real-world outcomes,” adding that the range of institutions in the top 10 shows that any university, regardless of size or status, can perform well if it makes this a genuine priority.

Despite the progress reflected in these rankings, LSBU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Antony Moss cautioned that long-standing inequalities in both access and outcomes persist, and that institutions need to do more to close the gaps for disadvantaged learners.

Source: HEPI

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on May 26, 2026.