THE University of Leeds has been named the top university in the north of England with the University of York in second place.

The rankings in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 placed York St John University in 9th place.

At number two in the north, the University of York remains inside the top 20 nationally for both the quality of the student experience and also student perceptions of the teaching they receive.

York is the only member of the elite Russell Group of universities to achieve this feat. York’s graduate prospects show an increase of four percentage points in the proportion of leavers in highly skilled employment or further study six months after graduation.

Furthermore, students arriving from 2018 will be enrolled on a new personal development programme designed, in partnership with leading graduate employers, to boost their career prospects.

As part of this, undergraduates will engage with employers early in their studies and receive help to find work experience, placements, internships and volunteering during the remainder of their university career.

The university claims its York Futures programme represents a UK first because of its comprehensive nature. From this year, all undergraduates have the option of a placement year.

Students are also studying abroad in greater numbers, with the university offering free language and cultural tuition.