Times and Sunday Times 2015 University League Table Top Placings

The Times and Sunday Times League Table 2015 A quick look at the top 25 in the all new Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide ranking for 2015. Full details can be found on the Sunday Times website (£). (Last year's position in brackets.) 1= (1) Cambridge 1= (2) Oxford 3 (4) St Andrews 4 (5) Imperial …

Times and Sunday Times 2014 University League Table Top 20 Placings

The Times and Sunday Times League Table 2014 A quick look at the top 20 in the all new combined Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide ranking for 2014. Full details can be found on the Sunday Times website (£). 1 Cambridge 2 Oxford 3 LSE 4 St Andrews 5 Imperial 6 Durham 7 Bath 8 Exeter …

Giving league tables a bad name

This kind of thing really shouldn't be given any airtime Yes, sad to say it is the 'University Drinking League'. Fortunately it does not deserve to be taken at all seriously given that it is simply self-reported consumption by students. Being the responsible folks that we are we would never stoop to making lazy generalisations, …

The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and Complete University Guide League Tables 2012-13

The four 2012-13 UK University League Tables A previous post offered the first three UK university league tables of 2012-13 and this one now updates this to include the final one from this year from the Sunday Times.  All of the tables have previously been summarised here. As a handy reference guide, here they are: …

The Times, Guardian and Complete University Guide League Tables 2012-13

The three most recent UK University League Tables Given that searches for UK university league tables are among the most frequent reasons for visitors to the blog, particularly during Clearing, it seemed that another summary might come in useful. Three major league tables have been published during 2012 so far (Sunday Times is due next …

The Times: 2013 University League Table

2013 University Rankings published by The Times The new Times league table is out and has been published here. There is though very little to get excited about in the Top 20 with hardly any movement and only one new entry (Glasgow) and one drop out (Sheffield). University of Nottingham drops four places to where …

Pride & Prejudices: Problems with National & International League Tables

Presentation from AUA Conference 2012 Thank you to all who attended this session on 3 April 2012 As promised, here is the presentation:     As mentioned at the presentation, this will be the last time I deliver this session at AUA conference. I've done it too many times but the main reason is that …

The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and Complete University Guide League Tables 2011-12

The four most recent UK University League Tables Given that searches for UK university league tables are among the most frequent reasons for visitors to the blog, it seemed that another summary might come in useful. Four major league tables were published during 2011 for those considering 2012 entry and all have previously been summarised …

Freshers’ week: just a drunken scam?

An interesting view on freshers' week Libby Purves, writing in The Times, argues that freshers' week is not quite what it seems and has to stop. The new fees regime, she suggests, may put an end to this "ghastly scam". These festivals are now in progress or revving up at most British universities; a weird, …

The four UK University League Tables of 2011

UK University League Tables 2011/12 Given the huge amount of traffic (OK, huge for me) to the site over the past week or so on UK league tables, I thought a summary might come in useful. Four league tables have been published during the current year for those considering 2012 entry and all have previously …

The Times: 2012 University League Table

2012 University Rankings published by The Times The new Times league table is out and there are some interesting changes. Some shuffling in the middle of the table and a couple of high climbers and a drop out. Last year's position in brackets: 1 Oxford (1) 2 Cambridge (2) 3 LSE  (5) 4 Imperial (3) …

Pride and Prejudices: Problems with National and International League Tables

Presentation from AUA Conference 2011 Thank you to all who attended this session on 19 April 2011 As promised, here is the presentation:

Tuition fees: Minister warns universities

More than just sabre-rattling? The BBC reports on a warning from the Universities Minister concerning fee setting plans. Speaking at the Dearing Conference at the University of Nottingham on 17 February he warned that, because the government had assumed that the average fee would be £7,500, if most universities charged higher than this the additional …

Providing information that helps students with HE choices

New consultation on providing information that helps students make the right higher education choices HEFCE has launched a consultation on information for prospective students: Schools, colleges, universities, student unions and a wide range of other bodies are being asked to comment on the information that higher education (HE) providers publish to help prospective students choose …

Preparing for university: “we call this a washing machine”

Some new students need 'life skills' it seems According to the Times "pampered pupils" are receiving lessons in life skills to enable them to cope at university: Increasing numbers of privileged students are arriving at university unable to use a washing machine, cook a simple meal or look after themselves, according to head teachers and …