Exeter retains position in latest influential league ranking

The University of Exeter has retained its position amongst the best universities in the UK, according to the latest influential rankings.

The University maintained its 12th place nationally in the influential The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

Exeter was also ranked 2nd in the South West region in the rankings, released today (September 18th2020).

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 provides students and their parents with an invaluable first reference point on the path to finding a university place. It contains full profiles of all universities and the leading colleges of higher education.

The ranking is made up of nine indicators including student satisfaction with teaching quality and their wider student experience, research quality, graduate prospects, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, service and facilities spend, and degree completion rates.

Professor Lisa Roberts, the University of Exeter’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive said: “It is excellent that Exeter has retained its ranking, maintaining its position as being amongst the very best universities in the UK.

"The University has a steadfast commitment to ensuring both students and staff can thrive in the very best teaching and research environments.

"This, coupled with our work with industry and businesses, and our local and global partnerships play a crucial role in boosting both the regional and national economy, reflected in this latest ranking.”

The latest ranking comes shortly after the influential Guardian University Guide 2021 ranked Exeter 16th, from all 121 UK higher education institutions.

The guide is based on a number of factors, including student satisfaction on courses and teaching and the proportion of graduates in employment or further study after six months. It also includes a “value added” score, which compares degree results with entry qualifications.

The University also enjoyed success in the accompanying individual subject league tables published in the latest Guardian University Guide – with three subjects ranked in the top 5, nine in the top 10 and 21 in the top 20.

The highest ranking subject is Earth and Marine Sciences which is ranked 2nd, with Engineering (Materials and Minerals) placed 3rd and Media and Film Studies in 4th.

Classics and Ancient History (7th), Anthropology, Biosciences and Theology (all 8th) and Accounting and Finance and English and Creative Writing (both 10th) complete the subjects ranked across the top 10.