Crane Index™ Research › AI Readability 2026 › Universities
Crane Index™ · Annual edition
UK Universities AI Readability 2026
As of 1 October 2026, the median UK universities site scored 43 out of 100 on the Crane Index™, the measure of how readably a site presents itself to AI engines. Across the 116 sites a machine could read, scores ran from 20 to 88, a 68-point gap between the strongest and the weakest.
What this measures. The score reads how readably a site presents itself to AI engines: entity markup, structured data and machine resolvability. It is not a measure of design, brand or quality. A site can look excellent to a person and still be hard for a machine to read, and a low score is a readability finding, never a judgement on the business.
The field in 2026
The field was led by University of Kent at 88, with University of Portsmouth next at 75. 5 sites cleared 70 out of 100, and 13 scored below 40.
At the foot of the field sat University of Wolverhampton at 20, University of Bedfordshire at 32, Cranfield University at 37. Each is a site a machine struggled to read, not a business doing anything other than well at what it does.
The full 2026 ranking
Composite out of 100, with the three reads behind it: AI Search Readiness (retrieval), Agent Readiness (execution) and Brand Representation.
| Rank | Organisation | Crane Index | Search | Agent | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentkent.ac.uk | 88 | 86 | 97 | 81 |
| 2 | University of Portsmouthport.ac.uk | 75 | 75 | 85 | 65 |
| 3= | Arts University Bournemouthaub.ac.uk | 73 | 69 | 76 | 73 |
| 3= | Canterbury Christ Church Universitycanterbury.ac.uk | 73 | 86 | 81 | 52 |
| 5 | University of Buckinghambuckingham.ac.uk | 70 | 77 | 90 | 43 |
| 6 | University of Chichesterchi.ac.uk | 67 | 75 | 89 | 37 |
| 7 | The Courtauld Institute of Artcourtauld.ac.uk | 66 | 73 | 87 | 37 |
| 8 | Richmond American University Londonrichmond.ac.uk | 63 | 70 | 83 | 37 |
| 9 | Staffordshire Universitystaffs.ac.uk | 62 | 63 | 87 | 37 |
| 10= | Norwich University of the Artsnorwichuni.ac.uk | 61 | 75 | 77 | 30 |
| 10= | University for the Creative Artsuca.ac.uk | 61 | 73 | 72 | 37 |
| 10= | University of Brightonbrighton.ac.uk/index.aspx | 61 | 59 | 89 | 35 |
| 10= | University of Exeterexeter.ac.uk | 61 | 68 | 92 | 22 |
| 14= | Northumbria Universitynorthumbria.ac.uk | 60 | 75 | 69 | 37 |
| 14= | University of Chesterchester.ac.uk | 60 | 68 | 89 | 22 |
| 14= | University of Warwickwarwick.ac.uk | 60 | 66 | 89 | 24 |
| 17= | Rose Bruford Collegebruford.ac.uk | 59 | 63 | 87 | 28 |
| 17= | University of Lincolnlincoln.ac.uk | 59 | 59 | 90 | 29 |
| 19 | Leeds Beckett Universityleedsbeckett.ac.uk | 58 | 69 | 69 | 37 |
| 20= | Anglia Ruskin Universityaru.ac.uk | 57 | 67 | 69 | 35 |
| 20= | Arts University Plymouthaup.ac.uk | 57 | 72 | 63 | 37 |
| 20= | Edge Hill Universityedgehill.ac.uk | 57 | 71 | 73 | 28 |
| 20= | King's College Londonkcl.ac.uk | 57 | 69 | 57 | 44 |
| 20= | Northeastern University Londonnulondon.ac.uk | 57 | 64 | 92 | 15 |
| 20= | University of Stirlingstir.ac.uk | 57 | 60 | 89 | 22 |
| 26 | University of Wales Trinity Saint Daviduwtsd.ac.uk | 56 | 56 | 76 | 37 |
| 27= | Newcastle Universityncl.ac.uk | 55 | 54 | 89 | 22 |
| 27= | Swansea Universityswansea.ac.uk | 55 | 69 | 69 | 28 |
| 29= | Liverpool John Moores Universityljmu.ac.uk | 54 | 61 | 64 | 37 |
| 29= | Teesside Universitytees.ac.uk | 54 | 56 | 83 | 22 |
| 31= | Birmingham City Universitybcu.ac.uk | 53 | 59 | 79 | 22 |
| 31= | Royal Northern College of Musicrncm.ac.uk | 53 | 56 | 89 | 13 |
| 31= | University of East Londonuel.ac.uk | 53 | 63 | 67 | 28 |
| 31= | University of Northamptonnorthampton.ac.uk | 53 | 66 | 72 | 22 |
| 35= | Birkbeck, University of Londonbbk.ac.uk | 52 | 59 | 63 | 35 |
| 35= | Cardiff Metropolitan Universitycardiffmet.ac.uk | 52 | 64 | 69 | 22 |
| 37 | University of Greater Manchestergreatermanchester.ac.uk | 51 | 57 | 69 | 28 |
| 38 | University of Southamptonsouthampton.ac.uk | 50 | 54 | 69 | 28 |
| 39= | De Montfort Universitydmu.ac.uk/home.aspx | 49 | 57 | 69 | 22 |
| 39= | Leeds Arts Universityleeds-art.ac.uk | 49 | 51 | 58 | 39 |
| 39= | Leeds Trinity Universityleedstrinity.ac.uk | 49 | 65 | 69 | 13 |
| 39= | University of St Andrewsst-andrews.ac.uk | 49 | 52 | 72 | 22 |
| 39= | University of Sunderlandsunderland.ac.uk | 49 | 64 | 63 | 19 |
| 39= | University of Sussexsussex.ac.uk | 49 | 52 | 81 | 13 |
| 45= | Abertay Universityabertay.ac.uk | 48 | 54 | 62 | 28 |
| 45= | Arden Universityarden.ac.uk | 48 | 54 | 68 | 22 |
| 45= | Oxford Brookes Universitybrookes.ac.uk | 48 | 59 | 63 | 22 |
| 45= | The University of Lawlaw.ac.uk | 48 | 54 | 69 | 22 |
| 49= | Loughborough Universitylboro.ac.uk | 47 | 55 | 63 | 22 |
| 49= | Middlesex Universitymdx.ac.uk | 47 | 56 | 72 | 13 |
| 51 | Royal Agricultural Universityrau.ac.uk | 46 | 57 | 69 | 13 |
| 52= | BPP Universitybpp.com | 45 | 52 | 69 | 13 |
| 52= | University of Readingreading.ac.uk | 45 | 49 | 66 | 20 |
| 52= | University of Salfordsalford.ac.uk | 45 | 55 | 68 | 13 |
| 55= | Heriot-Watt Universityhw.ac.uk | 44 | 58 | 62 | 13 |
| 55= | Ravensbourne University Londonravensbourne.ac.uk | 44 | 49 | 69 | 13 |
| 55= | University of Essexessex.ac.uk | 44 | 54 | 66 | 13 |
| 58= | Bangor Universitybangor.ac.uk | 43 | 46 | 69 | 13 |
| 58= | Goldsmiths, University of Londongold.ac.uk | 43 | 47 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | Guildhall School of Music and Dramagsmd.ac.uk | 43 | 51 | 62 | 15 |
| 58= | Hartpury Universityhartpury.ac.uk | 43 | 48 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | Lancaster Universitylancaster.ac.uk | 43 | 46 | 69 | 15 |
| 58= | London Metropolitan Universitylondonmet.ac.uk | 43 | 47 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | Robert Gordon Universityrgu.ac.uk | 43 | 47 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | Royal College of Artrca.ac.uk | 43 | 49 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | Royal Conservatoire of Scotlandrcs.ac.uk | 43 | 46 | 69 | 13 |
| 58= | Scotland's Rural Collegesruc.ac.uk | 43 | 48 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | SOAS University of Londonsoas.ac.uk | 43 | 47 | 69 | 13 |
| 58= | Solent Universitysolent.ac.uk | 43 | 54 | 63 | 13 |
| 58= | University of Greenwichgre.ac.uk | 43 | 47 | 68 | 13 |
| 58= | University of Surreysurrey.ac.uk | 43 | 49 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | Bath Spa Universitybathspa.ac.uk | 42 | 44 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | Plymouth Marjon Universitymarjon.ac.uk | 42 | 45 | 69 | 13 |
| 72= | The University of Sheffieldsheffield.ac.uk | 42 | 46 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | University of Leedsleeds.ac.uk | 42 | 46 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | University of Suffolkuos.ac.uk | 42 | 45 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | University of the West of Scotlanduws.ac.uk | 42 | 44 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | University of Westminsterwestminster.ac.uk | 42 | 44 | 68 | 13 |
| 72= | University of Worcesterworcester.ac.uk | 42 | 49 | 63 | 13 |
| 80= | Aston Universityaston.ac.uk | 41 | 41 | 69 | 13 |
| 80= | London School of Economics and Political Sciencelse.ac.uk | 41 | 48 | 63 | 13 |
| 80= | Royal College of Musicrcm.ac.uk | 41 | 43 | 68 | 13 |
| 80= | Royal Holloway, University of Londonroyalholloway.ac.uk | 41 | 47 | 63 | 13 |
| 80= | University of Bathbath.ac.uk | 41 | 42 | 69 | 13 |
| 80= | University of Birminghambirmingham.ac.uk | 41 | 49 | 63 | 10 |
| 80= | University of Bristolbristol.ac.uk | 41 | 40 | 69 | 13 |
| 80= | University of Central Lancashirelancashire.ac.uk | 41 | 72 | 30 | 22 |
| 80= | University of Cumbriacumbria.ac.uk | 41 | 37 | 71 | 15 |
| 80= | University of Glasgowgla.ac.uk | 41 | 44 | 65 | 13 |
| 80= | University of Roehamptonroehampton.ac.uk | 41 | 47 | 63 | 13 |
| 80= | Wrexham Universitywrexham.ac.uk | 41 | 47 | 63 | 13 |
| 92= | Aberystwyth Universityaber.ac.uk/en | 40 | 45 | 62 | 13 |
| 92= | Brunel University of Londonbrunel.ac.uk | 40 | 55 | 52 | 13 |
| 92= | Edinburgh Napier Universitynapier.ac.uk | 40 | 39 | 68 | 13 |
| 92= | London Business Schoollondon.edu | 40 | 45 | 62 | 13 |
| 92= | Manchester Metropolitan Universitymmu.ac.uk | 40 | 49 | 57 | 13 |
| 92= | The Glasgow School of Artgsa.ac.uk | 40 | 50 | 56 | 13 |
| 92= | Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dancetrinitylaban.ac.uk | 40 | 39 | 69 | 13 |
| 92= | University of Aberdeenabdn.ac.uk | 40 | 43 | 63 | 13 |
| 92= | University of Derbyderby.ac.uk | 40 | 50 | 56 | 13 |
| 92= | University of Liverpoolliverpool.ac.uk | 40 | 43 | 63 | 13 |
| 92= | University of the Highlands and Islandsuhi.ac.uk/en | 40 | 44 | 62 | 13 |
| 92= | University of West Londonuwl.ac.uk | 40 | 49 | 57 | 13 |
| 104= | University of Huddersfieldhud.ac.uk | 39 | 46 | 57 | 13 |
| 104= | University of Plymouthplymouth.ac.uk | 39 | 34 | 69 | 13 |
| 104= | University of Winchesterwinchester.ac.uk | 39 | 40 | 63 | 13 |
| 107= | Imperial College Londonimperial.ac.uk | 38 | 44 | 56 | 13 |
| 107= | Liverpool Institute for Performing Artslipa.ac.uk | 38 | 41 | 63 | 10 |
| 107= | St Mary's University, Twickenhamstmarys.ac.uk | 38 | 46 | 58 | 10 |
| 107= | University of Bradfordbradford.ac.uk | 38 | 45 | 57 | 13 |
| 107= | University of Cambridgecam.ac.uk | 38 | 52 | 50 | 13 |
| 107= | University of Nottinghamnottingham.ac.uk | 38 | 40 | 60 | 13 |
| 107= | University of Yorkyork.ac.uk | 38 | 51 | 51 | 13 |
| 114 | Cranfield Universitycranfield.ac.uk | 37 | 35 | 62 | 13 |
| 115 | University of Bedfordshirebeds.ac.uk | 32 | 32 | 51 | 13 |
| 116 | University of Wolverhamptonwlv.ac.uk | 20 | 17 | 34 | 8 |
Download this edition: the full field as a spreadsheet (CSV), or the same run as JSON. Licensed CC BY 4.0, so it is yours to publish and build on with attribution. Every unreadable site carries empty score cells, never a zero.
This is the fixed 2026 edition, pinned to the scan measured 1 October 2026, so the figures on it do not change. The live field, re-run on the first of each month, is on the current Universities benchmark. For how the score is built, see the methodology.
Licensed CC BY 4.0. Cite as: The Crane Index™, UK Universities AI readability 2026, The Crane Consultancy, measured 1 October 2026. https://thecraneconsultancy.com/research/universities-ai-readability-2026/