Dundee named Scottish University of the Year in new guide

And Coventry University has been named the modern university of the year nationally for the third time in a row.

Cardiff University has always finished top of the Good University Guide’s table of Welsh universities – and maintains it position of dominance this year, despite a slip of six places in the United Kingdom rankings to 33.

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 praised the University of Surrey for being one of “the most innovative universities in the United Kingdom : reducing its dependence on state funding, investing £400m to develop the campus in Guildford, and launching a joint venture in China”, as well as “a new £45m veterinary school”.

The table reflects what has been a tough year for Wrexham’s Glyndwr University, which has slipped to 122nd.

Kent has also found success recently in the Research Excellence Framework 2014, where it was ranked at number 17 out of all higher education institutions in the United Kingdom for research intensity; a result that surely contributed to this high ranking by The Times.

Aberystwyth was ranked fourth overall in Wales and 79th across the United Kingdom – a rise of 14 places.

A new study shows the University of Huddersfield has improved in national rankings. “We remain 100% committed to becoming a top 20 United Kingdom university”.

In April 2015, QS ranked ten subjects at Warwick to be in the world’s top 50 and a total of 15 to be in the top 100.

Bangor University also fell two places, to 52nd but has the happiest students in Wales, the guide says.

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: “This is an outstanding achievement, which recognises the tremendous talent and effort of a wide range of staff and students on the sports field, in the lecture theatre and in the laboratory”.

Surrey scores particularly well on the experience students enjoy.

“Coventry University’s performance and innovation in this competitive sector continues to be recognised and applauded, and it is a testament to the wonderful team effort and enterprising spirit in our institution that we’ve secured the prestigious title of Modern University of the Year’three times and are once again leading the way in terms of student satisfaction”.

It has the most satisfied students in the region according to the rankings.