This is the 31st edition of the annual guide that ranks British universities to provide potential students with information to support them to make an informed decision about higher education. The guide is put together following evaluation of everything from student satisfaction with teaching, through to degree completion rates and graduate employment prospects.

Student satisfaction with the quality of teaching was particularly high in areas including agriculture, animal science and sports science. This follows on from outstanding recognition in The Guardian University Guide 2025, in which Hartpury University now sits 4th out of 86 universities for Sports Science. This marks an impressive 65-place jump in just four years.

Earlier this year, postgraduate students also praised the university for teaching and student satisfaction, ranking Hartpury among the top three UK institutions in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024. Broken down by subject, Hartpury University is second in the UK for overall satisfaction across postgraduate animal, equine and veterinary nursing degrees.

Hartpury University was ranked 8th in the UK (6th in England) and 1st in Gloucestershire for Academic Support, according to the results of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024. In the Graduate Outcomes 2024 survey, 97% of Hartpury University graduates are in employment, further study, or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes 2024 reflects graduates from 2022).

Rosie Scott-Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University said: “This is the third consecutive year in which we have retained our 6th place position for teaching quality in this guide, and we’re delighted that students are satisfied with the teaching they’re receiving during their studies.

“It’s been an outstanding twelve months with surveys and league tables highlighting the quality of our teaching from the voices that matter most - our students. I’d like to pay tribute to our students for not only being such outstanding ambassadors of Hartpury University, but also providing the feedback that helps us to make enhancements and shape the future.  

“We’re committed to providing the very best higher education experience at Hartpury University, and I’d urge anyone considering higher education in September 2025 to explore the variety of courses we offer and to visit us at one of our open days.”

A number of new higher education programmes have been added to Hartpury University’s portfolio including BSc (Hons) Business Management, MBA Top-up, MBM Business Management, MSc Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychotherapy, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Training (Clinical), BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Training with Canine (Clinical), BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, MSc Biodiversity Conservation, BSc (Hons) Equine Dental Science, and MSc Sports Therapy (Conversion).