Sunday Times University Guide-A Comparison

In UK there are a number of university ranking tables published every year by the newspapers such as The Times, Financial Times and Sunday Times.

In September 2008 the Sunday Times University Guide released its annual ranking of 120 UK universities based on nine key performance indicators as follows:

• Student satisfaction
• Teaching excellence
• Heads’/peer assessments
• Research quality
• level/Higher points
• Unemployment
• Firsts/2:1s awarded
• Student/staff ratio
• Dropout rate

This holistic approach ensures that the rankings are not just based on research output or prestige, but also on the day-to-day experiences of students and the overall academic environment. This essay will examine each of these key performance indicators in detail, discussing their relevance and impact on university rankings.

1. Student Satisfaction

Student satisfaction is one of the most crucial indicators in the Sunday Times rankings. This metric reflects how content students are with various aspects of their university experience, including teaching quality, campus facilities, and support services. Student satisfaction surveys, such as the National Student Survey (NSS), provide the data used to measure this KPI.

2. Teaching Excellence

Teaching excellence measures the quality of instruction provided by university faculty. It takes into account how effectively academic staff communicate course material, the support they offer to students, and their ability to inspire intellectual curiosity. This is a subjective measure, typically assessed through student surveys and feedback, as well as external evaluations such as accreditation reports or teaching awards.

3. Heads’/Peer Assessments

Heads’/peer assessments refer to evaluations made by university leaders, senior academics, and industry experts regarding the overall standing of an institution. These assessments typically involve feedback on a university’s reputation, academic rigor, and contributions to research. Peer reviews are critical because they reflect the perceptions of respected figures within academia, whose opinions are often based on years of experience in the field.

4. Research Quality

Research quality measures the impact and volume of research conducted by a university’s faculty. Research is a significant component of university rankings, as it reflects an institution's contribution to the advancement of knowledge in its respective fields. Universities with strong research programs often secure funding, have high-profile partnerships with industry or government agencies, and produce influential publications in top-tier academic journals.

5. Level/Higher Points

Level/Higher points refer to the academic qualifications required for entry into university programs. This KPI measures the standard of incoming students based on their A-level (or equivalent) performance, including the number of points they have accumulated in their secondary school qualifications. A high score in this area indicates that the university attracts top-tier students who have performed exceptionally well in their exams.

6. Unemployment Rates

The unemployment rate among graduates is a key metric in assessing the employability of a university's student body. This indicator measures the percentage of graduates who are unable to secure full-time employment within a certain period after completing their studies, typically six months. High graduate employability is often a direct result of a university's connections with industry, its career services, and the practical skills students develop during their time at university.

7. Firsts/2:1s Awarded

The proportion of First-class and Upper Second-class degrees (2:1s) awarded is a significant indicator of academic performance at a university. This metric reflects the number of students who achieve high academic standards in their degrees, which can be a sign of both student motivation and teaching effectiveness. Universities with a high percentage of firsts and 2:1s often have rigorous academic programs that challenge students to perform at a high level.

8. Student/Staff Ratio

The student/staff ratio measures how many students there are for every full-time academic staff member. This ratio is important because it can be an indicator of the quality of teaching and academic support available to students. A low student/staff ratio generally means more personalized attention, smaller class sizes, and better access to faculty, all of which can enhance the learning experience.

9. Dropout Rate

Finally, the dropout rate measures the percentage of students who leave a university before completing their degree. A high dropout rate is often indicative of issues such as poor academic support, lack of student engagement, or inadequate resources to support students throughout their university journey. Universities with lower dropout rates typically have strong student support systems in place, such as academic tutoring, counseling, and career advice.

According to the survey Top 10 UK Universities (out of 120 institutions) are:
1. Cambridge
2. Oxford
3. Imperial
4. LSE
5. St Andrews
6. UCL
7. Warwick
8. Durham
9. York
10. Bath
Source: Sunday Times University Ranking 2008

Cambridge tops the list of leading institutions, followed by Oxford and Imperial. St Andrews is ranked as the number one university in Scotland and it is the only Scottish university featured in the top 10 list.

How do these institutions compare to last year's rankings?

In 2007 the Top 10 universities are as follows:
1 Cambridge
2 Oxford
3 London School of Economics and Political Science
4 Imperial College London
5 University College London
6 St Andrews
7 Warwick
8 York
9 Bath
10 Bristol

From the above ranking tables we can see that almost all institutions remain in the top 10 list this year, except that Durham is moving up to the Top 10 this year (up 3 places from 11th last year).

The top 3 colleges of The University of London are Imperial, LSE and UCL; they are the main rivals in the UK to Oxbridge. They are also the highest ranked London colleges in other league table such as the Times Good University Guide 2009 (Imperial at 3rd, LSE 4th and UCL 7th).

Overall the rankings produced very useful information for anyone choosing a top ranked institution.