Leeds powers into top 10 Good University Guide

The University of Leeds has secured its place in the top 10 universities in the UK, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, published today.

Last year, Leeds was named University of the Year by the Guide, having been runner-up for the award in the previous two years. The overall rankings for 2018, which are based on a range of metrics, sees Leeds rising to its highest-ever position, at number 10 in the UK.

Exceptional year for student experience

The University’s move into the top 10 is the latest recognition of its exceptional student education and all round student experience, combined with a strong research base.

Students voted Leeds in the top five universities in the UK in the 2017 Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, where students from all over the world commended Leeds for its facilities, activities and societies, and student welfare and support.

Leeds also achieved a Gold rating in the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), after an independent panel judged that the University delivers “consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students, of the highest quality found in the UK.”

And Leeds was well positioned amongst the Russell Group in the latest in National Student Survey 2017, securing joint first for overall satisfaction and for teaching.

Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, said: “Moving into the top 10 of this influential guide signifies further progress in delivering outstanding research-led education for our students.”

“As ever, our success is a testament to the commitment and creativity of the diverse community of staff and students at Leeds. We remain one of the most popular universities in the UK and I am very pleased that our excellent student recruitment figures for 2017/18 include a record number of Access to Leeds students, triple ‘A’ students, and students from the European Union.

“These successes reflect our broad strengths and the range of opportunities we offer students. As a Russell Group university, we excel in research and innovation, but we have always put the needs and aspirations of students at the heart of everything we do.”

This year cemented Leeds’ teaching credentials, with the announcement that the University has more National Teaching Fellows than any other institution in the UK – a clear indicator of its commitment to teaching excellence over a number of years.

Partnership with students

A key element of the University’s success is its sector-leading partnership with its students.

“Working in Partnership with the University to ensure students love their time at Leeds is important to Leeds University Union,” comments Jack Palmer, Union Affairs Officer at Leeds University Union.

“A great university experience is about much more than the lecture theatres, and we have worked consistently with the University to give students have a well-rounded experience, whether it be by joining one of our clubs or societies, helping them to volunteer in the city, or supporting them through independent advice so they can get the most out of university.

“The University thoroughly deserves its place in the top 10 of the Guide.”

Investing in quality

As part of its ambitious plans to maintain its position as one of the best universities in the UK, Leeds is investing £520 million in its campus, including major refurbishment of libraries, lecture theatres and the creation of new sports facilities.

Recent examples include the £17m upgrade of the Student Union to transform the social spaces, improve performance venues and extend facilities for societies. A new cycling track and sports centre, named after the Brownlee brothers who were former students at Leeds, officially opened earlier this year, to complement the state-of-the-art campus sports centre, The Edge.

A new undergraduate library, the Laidlaw Library, and a complete refurbishment of the Edward Boyle Library, have also created inspirational study environments, with group and silent study spaces, new cafes and IT-rich facilities. Leeds also excels at digital learning, as highlighted in its Gold standard teaching award, which praised Leeds for supporting students with “outstanding physical and digital resources.”

Reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to life-changing research, the investment programme continues with the transformation of the Engineering and Physical Sciences environment, creating first-class laboratories and specialised teaching spaces for students.

The new enterprise and innovation centre, Nexus, will also provide crucial connections with industry, bringing students and business together to support access to wider opportunities through placements, internships and networking.