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The publication of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 provides another reason to celebrate the outstanding university destinations of Wellington College’s Class of 2026.
Released this week, the rankings place the University of Oxford at number one in the world for an eleventh consecutive year. Eleven Wellingtonians have taken up places at Oxford this year, with a further eight at the University of Cambridge, ranked fifth globally, and three at Imperial College London, ranked eighth.
Across the rankings, Wellingtonians have headed to an impressive range of the world’s leading institutions. 10 have taken up places at University College London, 8 at the London School of Economics and 23 at the University of Edinburgh, while 11 have headed to the University of Bristol and 10 to King’s College London.
The breadth extends well beyond the UK. Wellingtonians are now studying at Princeton, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, Duke, Vanderbilt and the University of Texas at Austin in the United States, as well as the University of Toronto and McGill University in Canada.
In total, 215 pupils have taken up places at UK universities, alongside 24 in the United States, 10 across Europe and 2 in Canada. Wellington’s strength in supporting pupils considering opportunities across the Atlantic was recognised in the latest Good Schools Guide review, which noted that the College “leads the charge on US applications.”
The destinations build on another strong year for Wellington’s leavers. In 2026, 93% of pupils secured their firm or insurance university choice, while 50 pupils accepted places at G5 universities and Wellingtonians received 29 offers from Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions.
Tim Rothwell, Director of Higher Education at Wellington College, said:
“It is wonderful to see so many of the universities our pupils have chosen to attend recognised among the very best in the world. What is particularly pleasing, however, is the breadth of destinations across this year’s leavers.
“From leading UK universities to outstanding institutions in the US and around the world, our pupils have secured places at universities that reflect their individual ambitions, interests and aspirations. Their destinations are a fantastic testament to both their hard work and the exciting range of opportunities they pursue beyond Wellington.”
Finding the right university is only one part of the College’s approach to preparing pupils for Life Beyond Wellington. The Higher Education and Careers team provides personalised guidance throughout the application process, helping pupils explore different courses, institutions and countries and make informed choices about their individual futures.
It is an approach recognised by The Good Schools Guide 2026, which said: “Rarely have we seen such a well-resourced offering for future planning.”
Importantly, that support does not end when pupils leave Wellington. Through the Life Beyond Wellington programme, Old Wellingtonians continue to have access to opportunities designed to support them through university and into their early careers.
While at university and up to the age of 25, OWs can take part in industry-specific networking events, entrepreneurs’ exchanges, mentoring and buddying schemes, as well as Life Beyond Wellington virtual talks and workshops.
Together, the destinations of the Class of 2026 and the support available to them beyond Wellington reflect a broader ambition: not simply to help pupils secure a place at university, but to equip them to make the most of the opportunities that follow.
