An academic powerhouse celebrating its 60th anniversary, the University of Warwick has always had epic ambitions, from its 750-acre campus to its Venice palazzo to its base in The Shard. A £425 million Science and Engineering Precinct is now being created to combine disciplinary excellence with interdisciplinary working, and is the biggest single investment since its foundation.
The supercharging for Stem subjects at Warwick follows a recent focus on investing in arts and humanities facilities. Professor Stuart Croft, the vice-chancellor, has declared: “The future isn't Stem rather than the arts — it’s very clearly both.”
A fixture in our top ten since 1998, this year it is Highly Commended in Russell Group University of the Year 2026 and wins the title of University of the Year Midlands 2026.
Warwick consistently excels across all metrics, from research quality to graduate prospects. Life on its self-contained campus near Coventry offers a “mini city” experience, with everything on site. The social scene is lively, both on campus and in nearby Leamington Spa, where many students live after their first year.
What is the University of Warwick’s reputation?
Research-led since its foundation, Warwick achieved impressive results in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021): 92 per cent of its work was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and sits 13th in our research quality index. Economics, classics, computer science, and business and management produced some of its best results. Warwick is 74th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. The biggest subjects are economics, maths, engineering and politics.
The university received top honours in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), one of 26 institutions out of 228, to achieve a rare triple gold for its overall grade, student experience and student outcomes. The TEF panel wrote that the university’s “use of research, innovation, scholarship and professional practice contribute to an outstanding academic experience”.
Throughout its history, Warwick has been known for its business collaborations, exemplified by the £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre, a partnership with Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors. It has also embraced degree apprenticeships more than most rivals, with more than 1,300 apprentices enrolled.
Our latest analysis of the National Student Survey shows healthy levels of student satisfaction, despite a dip in form this year, with teaching quality 47= and the wider undergraduate experience 23=. These results outdo many of Britain’s research heavyweights.
What courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
Degrees in electronic engineering and economics and industrial organisation have been withdrawn. From September 2025, Warwick is launching programmes including design for sustainable innovation and economics and management.
What are the University of Warwick’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Standard entry requirements range from A*A*A to ABB at A-level. Contextual or differential offers can reduce this by one or two grades for eligible applicants. Sixty years ago, the university was founded with 450 students. Now demand is high, with more than 45,000 applications for around 6,000 places in 2024, and 5 per cent enrolled through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
Warwick is a primary target for top graduate employers, ranking fourth in the UK for employer targeting, according to the High Fliers Research report. It also ranks just outside the top ten in our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, for graduate prospects, with 86.4 per cent of leavers in highly skilled jobs or further study 15 months after finishing.
What is the University of Warwick campus like?Substantial investment in the campus between Coventry and Warwick has delivered world-class facilities for arts and sciences. The £60 million Faculty of Arts Building (FAB) includes an antiquities room, screening rooms and drama studios. The Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building, completed in 2021, has top-notch facilities for life sciences. Warwick opened the Marsh Observatory in 2023, which has a 40cm telescope and digital imaging technology to train the astronomers of tomorrow.
The campus also features a forest, ancient woodland and a sculpture trail with new installations by the Turner prizewinner Veronica Ryan (Breadfruit) and the Danish artist Tine Bech (Colour Connection).
When can I visit?
Everything you need to know about the University of Warwick’s student life and wellbeing support
Campus life has been described as a “mini city” with a strong sense of community. There are more than 300 societies and the students’ union is the centre of social life. Off campus, students tend to inhabit Leamington Spa and the Coventry suburbs of Earlsdon and Canley.
The £49 million Sports and Wellness Hub offers a 200-station gym, a 25m swimming pool and climbing walls. Students are encouraged to try a new activity for free in “rock up and play” sessions. University teams finished 13th in the latest British Universities and Colleges Sport (Bucs) overall points table.
Culture is well catered for at the Warwick Arts Centre, which has a cinema, concert hall and two theatres.
All students must complete the Warwick Values Programme, covering consent and social tolerance. A wellbeing support team oversees disability, funding and mental health services, while a community safety team is available 24/7.
What do the students say?
“The campus is buzzing with opportunities, offering everything you need to thrive academically and socially. Whether you’re grabbing essentials, catching up with friends at a café, or hitting the gym, life on campus at Warwick is vibrant and full of possibilities.”
Fabiana, BSc biomedical science
What about student accommodation at the University of Warwick?
The university has nearly 7,000 rooms in halls. First-years who make Warwick their firm choice are guaranteed accommodation if they apply by the August deadline.
How diverse and inclusive is the University of Warwick?
Warwick ranks 101= in our social inclusion index and admits relatively few students from non-selective state schools (59.9 per cent) and of students who are the first in their family to go to university.
The Warwick Scholars programme supports students from the region to apply, and foundation years are offered on Warwick Business School courses, open to eligible applicants who lack the grades to enter a three-year undergraduate degree.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Warwick
The Warwick Bursary is awarded on a sliding scale from £500 to £2,500 a year to students with household incomes under £42,875.
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