The Times Good University Guide - Oxford No. 1 and Cambridge No. 2

Oxford University, for the seventh consecutive year, has solidified its position as the top university in the United Kingdom according to The Times Good University Guide. This achievement highlights Oxford’s continued prominence as a leader in higher education, distinguished not only by its historical and academic prestige but also by its progressive efforts to enhance student experience and overall university quality. The guide's comprehensive approach to university rankings, which incorporates a diverse set of criteria such as student satisfaction, research quality, spending on student facilities, and staff levels, underscores the factors contributing to Oxford’s continued success and its slight edge over its closest rival, Cambridge.

Oxford’s ranking was bolstered by increased financial investment in student facilities and higher staffing levels, which directly contributed to a more supportive and enriching educational environment. Additionally, the proportion of students achieving at least a 2:1 degree has grown, further cementing Oxford’s reputation for academic excellence. This achievement reflects the university's unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional education that not only prioritizes intellectual rigor but also ensures a comprehensive student experience. Such investments signal Oxford’s recognition of the evolving demands of higher education, where a holistic approach to student welfare and academic development is essential to maintaining a competitive edge.

However, despite Oxford’s superior standing in the overall guide, Cambridge maintains a formidable reputation in research output, entry standards, and graduate destinations. This allows Cambridge to excel in the guide’s 61 subject tables, a new addition for the year that includes student satisfaction scores for the first time. Cambridge's research performance is unparalleled, evidenced by its significant contributions to global academic and scientific advancements. The university’s rigorous entry standards attract the brightest students from around the world, setting a high benchmark for academic achievement. Moreover, Cambridge’s graduates consistently find success in the job market, which reinforces the university’s reputation as a launching pad for future leaders, innovators, and scholars. This strength positions Cambridge as an institution that, while slightly behind Oxford in the overall ranking, continues to be an academic powerhouse in its own right, with a unique set of strengths that complement those of its rival.

St Andrews, the leading Scottish university, demonstrated its prestige by securing fifth place in the 2009 rankings, a testament to its growing reputation and academic achievements. The university has consistently ranked highly in national and international tables, and its strong showing in The Times Good University Guide reflects its status as a key player within the UK’s higher education sector. St Andrews, known for its strong emphasis on research-led teaching, small class sizes, and a strong sense of community, stands as a compelling choice for students looking for an institution that combines academic rigor with a supportive environment. Its consistent presence in the top tier of university rankings highlights the university’s ability to maintain high standards across various metrics, from student satisfaction to research output.

In Wales, Cardiff University led the nation at the 29th position, showcasing its status as a leading institution in the region and its ongoing efforts to expand its academic influence and reach. Cardiff University’s emphasis on research and teaching quality has made it a respected name within both the UK and international educational landscapes. The university’s strategic focus on innovation and community engagement has played a significant role in elevating its position within the rankings. As the largest university in Wales, Cardiff’s influence extends beyond academia, contributing significantly to the educational and cultural landscape of the region.

The guide’s analysis also emphasizes the dominance of the Russell Group, a consortium of research-intensive universities, which occupied 12 of the top 20 positions. This reiterates the importance of traditional, established universities that have consistently maintained high academic standards over the years. The Russell Group universities, which include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London, have become synonymous with excellence in teaching, research, and student experience. The competitive nature of the guide has driven these older institutions to innovate and adapt in order to remain leaders in the field, a factor acknowledged by The Times Good University Guide editor, John O’Leary. He noted that the increasing number of students and fierce competition across all types of universities had compelled even these well-established institutions to enhance their offerings and maintain their status.

In the context of newer institutions, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen emerged as the best-placed of the newer universities, securing the 54th position in the rankings. This reflects a growing recognition of the value that newer universities add to the educational system through specialized programs, modern facilities, and a strong focus on employability. Robert Gordon’s emphasis on applied learning and research-led teaching has enabled it to make significant strides, setting it apart from other institutions within the same category.

The emergence of Oxford Brookes University as the second-highest ranked new university, positioned at 55th, is also noteworthy. Oxford Brookes has established itself as a respected name in the English higher education landscape, known for its strong commitment to vocational training, modern curricula, and strong connections with the industry. The university’s ranking highlights its effective integration of academic rigor with practical learning opportunities, allowing its graduates to excel in various career paths.

The publication of The Times Good University Guide 2009 offers a detailed and multi-faceted overview of the UK's higher education landscape. The guide stands as a valuable resource for prospective students, providing a nuanced look at the strengths and weaknesses of universities across the country. It underscores the continued relevance of the most prestigious institutions, such as Oxford and Cambridge, while also shedding light on the quality of education offered by institutions that may have previously been underestimated. O’Leary’s remarks reflect a broader trend in higher education, where courses that provide clear career paths are gaining traction, while some traditional academic disciplines face challenges in attracting student interest.

Among the most significant shifts within the rankings were the upward movements of universities such as York, Leicester, Lancaster, and Glasgow. York’s rise from 16th to 9th position signifies its strengthening position among the top institutions, driven by its emphasis on student satisfaction and research excellence. Similarly, Leicester, Lancaster, and Glasgow have improved their standings, with Glasgow moving into the top 20, signifying its growing reputation as a research-intensive institution that upholds high standards in both teaching and student experience.

1 Oxford
2 Cambridge
3 Imperial College
4 London School of Economics
5 St Andrews
6 Warwick
7 University College London
8 Durham
9 York
10 Bristol
11 King's College London
12 Loughborough
13 Exeter
14 Leicester
15 Bath
16 Nottingham
=16 Southampton
18 Edinburgh
19 Lancaster
20 Newcastle
=20 Glasgow
22 Sheffield
23 East Anglia
24 School of Oriental and African Studies
25 Birmingham
26 Aberdeen
27 Manchester
28 Aston
29 Cardiff
30 Royal Holloway
31 Leeds
=31 Reading
=31 Queen's Belfast
34 Liverpool
35 Strathclyde
36 Kent
37 Queen Mary, London
38 Sussex
39 Surrey
40 Stirling
41 Keele
42 Essex
43 Aberystwyth
44 Dundee
45 Hull
46 Goldsmiths College
47 Heriot-Watt
48 Swansea
49 Bradford
50 City
51 Bangor
52 Brunel
53 Ulster
54 Robert Gordon
55 Oxford Brookes
56 Nottingham Trent
57 Bournemouth
58 Gloucestershire
59 Chichester
60 Brighton
61 Portsmouth
62 Plymouth
63 Central Lancashire
64 Napier
65 West of England
66 Winchester
67 Staffordshire
68 Glasgow Caledonian
=68 Queen Margaret Edinburgh
70 Lampeter
71 Birmingham City
72 Bath Spa
73 Northumbria
74 Coventry
75 University of the Arts, London
76 Sheffield Hallam
77 Glamorgan
=77 De Montfort
79 Hertfordshire
80 Canterbury Christ Church
81 Worcester
82 Sunderland
83 Salford
84 Northampton
85 UWIC, Cardiff
86 Roehampton
=86 Chester
88 Teesside
89 Bedfordshire
90 Huddersfield
91 York St John
92 Manchester Metropolitan
93 Kingston
94 Liverpool John Moores
95 Derby
96 UWCN, Newport
97 Southampton Solent
98 Edge Hill
99 Cumbria
100 Abertay
101 Leeds Metropolitan
=101 Westminster
103 West of Scotland
=103 Lincoln
105 Middlesex
106 Anglia Ruskin
107 Wolverhampton
108 Bucks New
109 East London
110 Greenwich
111 Bolton
112 Thames Valley
113 London South Bank

Source: Times Online