Senior leaders at the University of Essex have expressed their delight as new rankings saw it enter the Complete University Guide’s top 30 for the first time since 2010.
Moving up six places to 26th overall, Essex was ranked among top Russell Group institutions, and came third in the east of England region.
The University of Suffolk – which only officially became an independent university in August 2016 – placed 128th, up one place from last year.
Hertfordshire, Anglia Ruskin and Bedfordshire also featured in the 2019 table. Cambridge came first in the entire country, while UEA dropped two places from 12th to 14th.
Vice-chancellor at the University of Essex, Professor Anthony Forster, said: “I am delighted that our dual commitment to excellence in education and research continues to be recognised in national rankings.
This latest success follows Essex being ranked 22nd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and achieving the highest rating of gold in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
“In the last five years we’ve invested in new teaching and research facilities, student accommodation and sport facilities.
Student numbers have grown significantly and we’ve created almost 200 new jobs for academic staff to support this growth.”
Representatives from the University of Suffolk noted that some university ranking systems carry weighing in areas the institution is currently unable to submit data for. League tables are just one measure of our success and many, like the Complete University Guide, carry weighting in areas we are not able to submit data for,” a spokesman said.
“When considering the ranking for spend on academic services, we are the highest in the East of England, except the University of Cambridge, and we are confident that the university’s plans for growth and participating in the REF will lead to a higher placing in league table in future years.
“Also released this week was the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2018, as voted for by students.
“We were ranked in the top 40 in the UK for student satisfaction with their courses and lecturers, and student support.”
Visit the Complete University Guide website to see the 2019 rankings in full.
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