To answer this question, we have to first know what we mean by the universe.
Before the age of modern science, most people thought of the universe as just our earth or solar system.
We have come a long way from that due to our cutting-edge astronomical instruments and more accurate modern scientific theories.
Science
The area of modern science that explains the universe is Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
This theory is the modern theory of gravity that applies over cosmic distances.
According to it, the universe is a finite object which started as an unimaginably tiny point during the Big Bang and continues to expand in time.
This universe consists of space and time. It also consists of everything found within space or time.
It means matter and energy are also part of the universe. So, people, rocks, stars as well as radiation energy are part of the universe.
It would also include other mysterious elements such as dark energy and dark matter.
Black holes would also be included even though the interior of black holes is thought of as places where the laws of physics break down.
Also, the laws of nature, even though they are not visible or material, are part of the universe.
In other words, nothing exists outside of this universe. Some views take this even further so that even our thoughts (and the thoughts of animals if they have any) are also part of the universe.
If we take this view of the universe, then there is nothing that is bigger than the universe.
However, it is not clear whether the universe is currently infinite in range.
Multiverse
According to some perspectives, there is not only one universe but multiple. This is the multiverse concept.
The multiverse is considered to have an infinite number of universes. Those universes are possibly governed by different laws from ours.
The multiverse is usually theorized in order to explain the strange fact that our universe has special qualities that make life possible.
If our universe is the only universe, then the existence of life is a mystery that almost seems miraculous or even impossible.
But if there are many universes as the multiverse concept suggests, this fact becomes less mysterious.
This is because if you have an infinite number of universes, the chances of one of them having the right conditions for life is possible going by the laws of probability.
The multiverse is like a vast cosmic lottery in which different universes are created with different variations of conditions and laws.
It is highly likely that one of those variations will hit the correct mark for life.
If the multiverse view is correct then there is something bigger than our universe.
However, the multiverse concept is speculative and it is believed that it can never be proven scientifically.
This is because we can’t enter or probe those other universes since they are completely separate from ours and are out of our reach.
Statistics
In statistics, the universe is the entire population of the item of study.
For example, if we are studying smokers in America, then we draw a sample from the population of smokers found only in America.
In addition, they should only be smokers and so non-smokers are excluded.
Based on how we define the universe (i.e., population) in statistics, there can’t be anything bigger than the universe.
For example, if the universe or population of the study is defined as women, we can’t have a bigger universe for women than that.
Belief Systems
For some faiths, like Christianity, the deity (God) created the universe.
Therefore, He is considered to be a separate entity from the universe.
In this perspective, God would have to be bigger than the universe.
He is pictured as capable of existing in space and time as well as outside it.
Also, since God is taken as the First Cause, the effect of this First Cause which is the universe can’t be greater than its cause.
Therefore, the conclusion must be that God has to be greater than the universe.
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