Stirling makes further progress in UK university rankings

The University of Stirling has continued to advance in the UK rankings – rising nine places in the latest The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.

The progress – which comes just weeks after Stirling’s UK ranking rose in the Guardian University Guide and the National Student Survey – reflects the ongoing efforts of staff and students to continuing to improve the teaching and student experience.

Stirling now ranks 38^th in the latest version of the prestigious Good University Guide and its subjects continue to rank highly – with its Social Work, Communications and Media, Criminology, Politics, Education, and Sociology programmes all top 10 in the UK. In Scotland, Stirling is top for Criminology, second for Social Work, Communication and Media, and Politics, and third for Accounting and Finance, Business Studies, and Philosophy.

Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “I am incredibly proud of the University’s performance in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. Along with the Guardian University Guide and the National Student Survey, it provides further confirmation that Stirling continues to be a popular destination for students.

“This progress is important recognition of the hard work of our staff and students who are absolutely committed to enhancing the Stirling student experience – illustrated by our multi-million-pound Sports Centre and Campus Central developments.”

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 – to publish on September 20 –  profiles 135 UK universities, using data published over the last two months. It uses nine indicators, including: student satisfaction with teaching quality and the 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.

The Guide also includes more than 60 subject tables, highlighting centres of excellence. These tables are based on an analysis of student satisfaction with teaching quality and their student experience, entry standards, research quality and graduate prospects.

In last year’s Guide, Stirling was crowned the UK Sports University of the Year 2020, complementing its long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Earlier this year, the University also received its second Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the UK’s highest academic honour – in recognition of the pioneering work of its Institute of Aquaculture.