Lancaster University is ranked 8th in the UK by The Independent
Lancaster University has shot up the rankings of top universities, rising to the 8th best university in the UK according to The Independent. The Independent’s Complete University Guide 2011 ranks Lancaster 8th overall in the UK, up four places from the year before. Lancaster is also the top university in the North West.
The Guide ranks more than a hundred institutions on everything from entry standards to student satisfaction, good honours degrees, research, the staff/student ratio and graduate employment. Lancaster scored particularly well because of a rise in the student satisfaction score and better graduate prospects.
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Colleges and the Student Experience, Professor Amanda Chetwynd, said she was delighted. “Students tell us that they’re happy here and that they enjoy the collegiate life on campus, which gives a sense of community. We’ve transformed the campus with the award-winning student Eco-Residences, the Learning Zone and new college social spaces. Lancaster is a very pleasant environment in which to study.
“They also get also get a lot of contact time with some of the best teaching staff in the UK, with a good staff-student ratio, and we offer as much help as possible to improve their prospects as graduates. New initiatives like the Lancaster Award help students improve their employability by encouraging them to join in extra-curricular activities and undertake work experience.”
The Independent also ranked universities by subject, with Lancaster scoring well in several areas:
· 2nd for Social Work
· 4th for Art and Design and subjects allied to Medicine
· 5th for Italian, Iberian languages, Social Policy, Drama, Dance and Film
· 6th for Accounting and Finance and French
· 7th for German
· 8th for Business Studies, Physics and Astronomy
· 10th for Linguistics, Geography and Environmental Science