The Push League Table 2008

The Push League Table, updated in 2008, provides a unique perspective on the UK's higher education institutions. At the top of the 2008 Push League Table sits Lampeter, University of Wales, a small yet highly regarded institution. Lampeter's strong performance in this ranking likely stems from its focus on high-quality teaching and a personalized student experience. Known for its strengths in theology, philosophy, and the humanities, Lampeter offers a distinctive academic environment, with close-knit communities and individualized attention, making it an attractive choice for students seeking an intimate learning atmosphere.

In second place is Heythrop College, University of London, a specialist institution renowned for its expertise in philosophy, theology, and religious studies. Although a smaller and more niche university, Heythrop's place near the top of the Push League Table suggests its exceptional teaching and dedicated focus on its academic disciplines. Located in central London, the college benefits from the capital's rich cultural and intellectual environment, which offers students invaluable opportunities for engagement and learning.

Third on the list is University of Stirling, which has carved out a strong reputation in Scotland for its high-quality teaching, particularly in areas such as social sciences, humanities, and environmental sciences. Stirling's consistently strong performance in various rankings, including the Push League Table, reflects its commitment to research excellence, the student experience, and strong industry links, particularly in fields like sports science and environmental sustainability.

The School of Pharmacy, University of London, ranked fourth, stands out as a highly specialized institution offering world-class education in pharmaceutical sciences. With a focus on teaching students the scientific, clinical, and practical aspects of pharmacy, the School of Pharmacy enjoys a strong academic reputation in its field, as reflected by its high position in the Push League Table. It attracts students with a specific interest in healthcare and medical research, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.

University of St Andrews, ranked fifth, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Scotland, with a long tradition of academic excellence. Known for its strong humanities and social science programs, St Andrews consistently ranks highly in both national and international league tables. Its place in the Push League Table reflects its comprehensive approach to education, which emphasizes research, personalized teaching, and an exceptional student experience.

Sixth place goes to St George's, University of London, a specialist medical institution. Known for its focus on medicine and healthcare-related programs, St George's provides students with a strong foundation in medical education, healthcare research, and clinical practice. As one of the UK’s foremost medical schools, St George’s has developed a strong reputation for producing highly skilled medical professionals who are in demand across the healthcare sector.

In seventh place is Harper Adams University College, a specialist institution focusing on agricultural science, food production, and rural business management. The university's strong performance in the Push League Table is a reflection of its specialized curriculum, which meets the needs of the evolving agricultural and environmental industries. With a focus on hands-on learning and industry collaboration, Harper Adams offers students a highly practical education that prepares them for careers in sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Bishop Grosseteste University College, ranked eighth, is another smaller institution with a focus on teacher training and education. Situated in Lincoln, it has built a strong reputation for its commitment to producing well-trained and highly capable educators. Known for its supportive environment, Bishop Grosseteste emphasizes personalized learning and student development, which are central to its position in the Push League Table. Its success highlights the importance of teaching quality in determining an institution’s ranking and reputation.

In ninth place is King’s College London, one of the most prestigious and well-established institutions in the UK. As a leading research university, King’s College is renowned for its diverse range of academic disciplines, including law, humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. Its high ranking in the Push League Table may seem surprising given its large size, but it reflects the institution’s commitment to both world-class research and student-centered teaching. King’s College London attracts a global student body and is consistently regarded as a top choice for students across a range of disciplines.

The 2008 Push League Table provides a snapshot of the diversity of higher education options in the UK, highlighting institutions that may not always appear in the top tiers of national rankings but offer unique strengths and opportunities for students. Whether through specialized teaching, a strong sense of community, or a focus on specific industries, these institutions demonstrate that a successful university experience can be shaped by many factors beyond traditional academic prestige. The rankings suggest that students value not only academic excellence but also the environment in which they learn, the support they receive, and the career prospects that arise from their educational experience.

The Push League Table (Updated 2008):

1 Lampeter, Univ of Wales
2 Heythrop College, U of London
3 Stirling U
4 School of Pharmacy, U of London
5 U of St Andrews
6 St George's, U of London
7 Harper Adams Univ College
8 Bishop Grosseteste Univ College
9 King's College, London
10 U of Edinburgh
11 U of Bristol
12 U of Cambridge
13 U of Nottingham
14 Leicester U
15 U of East Anglia
16 U of Manchester
17 U of Hull
18 U of York
19 Swansea U
20 LSE
21 U of Warwick
22 U of Essex
23 Royal Holloway, London
24 Cardiff U
25 Keele U
26 U of Reading
27 U of Southampton
28 U of Buckingham
29 Abertay Dundee U
30 Queens U of Belfast
31 Royal College of Music
32 SOAS
33 Sheffield Hallam U
34 U of Birmingham
35 Robert Gordon U
36 Lancaster U
37 Courtauld Institute of Art, London
38 U of Bath
39 Uni College, London
40 U of Glasgow
41 Loughborough U
42 U of Kent
43 Bangor U
44 Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama
45 Canterbury Christ Church U
46 U of Sussex
47 Chichester U
48 Bath Spa U
49 Worcester U
50 U of Liverpool
51 Buckinghamshire New Univ
52 Coventry U
53 Imperial College London
54 Oxford Brookes U
55 U of Aberdeen
56 Heriot-Watt U
57 York St John
58 U of Oxford
59 Royal Agricultural College
60 St Mary's Uni College, Twickenham1
61 Leeds Metropolitan U
62 Edge Hill U
63 Aberystwyth U
64 Aston U
65 Roehampton U
66 Newcastle U
67 U of Cumbria
68 Birkbeck, U of London
69 U of Bolton
70 Swansea Institute of Higher Education
71 Royal Academy of Music
72 Surrey U
73 Goldsmiths, U of London
74 U of Sheffield
75 U of Gloucestershire
76 U of Durham
77 Nottingham Trent U
78 Brunel U
79 U of Bradford
80 U of Teesside
81 U of Chester
82 U of Strathclyde
83 Queen Mary, U of London
84 U of Derby
85 U of Portsmouth
86 Trinity College, Carmarthen
87 Queen Margaret U
88 Newport, U of Wales
89 Dundee U
90 U of London
91 U of Winchester
92 U of Brighton
93 Leeds U
94 Northumbria U
95 Royal Veterinary College, London
96 U College Falmouth
97 U College for the Creative Arts
98 U of Northampton
99 U of Huddersfield
100 U of Central Lancashire
101 U of Ulster
102 UWE, Bristol
103 Bournemouth U
104 Southampton Solent U
105 Manchester Metropolitan U
106 The Open Uni
107 U of Bedfordshire
108 UWIC
109 Napier U
110 Glamorgan U
111 U of Lincoln
112 Liverpool Hope U
113 U of Exeter
114 U of Plymouth
115 Birmingham City U
116 Thames Valley U
117 City U
118 De Montfort U
119 Liverpool John Moores U
120 U of Hertfordshire
121 U of Wolverhampton
122 Salford U
123 Sunderland U
124 Kingston U
125 Staffordshire U
126 North East Wales Institute
127 U of the West of Scotland
128 U of East London
129 U of Westminster
130 Glasgow Caledonian 
131 Anglia Ruskin U
132 Middlesex U
133 London South Bank U
134 U of Greenwich
135 U of the Arts, London
136 London Metropolitan U

Source: The Push League Table