http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk News for The Complete University Guide in association with The Independent, Uni guide, good uni guide, advice on choosing the right university and course en-gb Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:42:55 +0000 Copyright: (C) Constable & Robinson Ltd 15 1819 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:42:55 +0000 In the current climate it is not only cycnics who see some truth in the widely-shared belief that an economist is a trained professional paid to guess wrong about the economy.  Economics has had a bad press ever sinceThomas Carlyle dismissed it as "the dismal science", reflecting unease with the stark equations of Malthusianism.  But Economics remains a popular choice for undergraduate study at UK universities. There were almost 22,000 economics undergraduates in 2006/07, down slightly on the preceeding year but up from 15,000 a decade earlier. The Complete University Guide lists 64 UK universities offering an undergraduate degree in Economics. The subject table is topped by Cambridge, home of the renowned Cambridge School, closely followed by the London School of Economics, University College London, Warwick and Oxford.  Cambridge, although its research lacks the coveted 5* rating held by the LSE, UCL and Warwick, scores highly for its entry qualifications and graduate prospects.  And job prospects loom high on any prospective student's list, especially with predictions gloomy for work in the financial sector over the coming months.   But past and present Economics students say that the skills acquired are highly transferrable, making them some of the most sought after graduates in the country.   Most degree programmes will help develop learning, communication and self-management skills, as well as problem-solving, numeracy, IT and the use of statistical methods. So, as the world emerges from the recession, students enrolling on courses in 2009 will be well placed to benefit from - and contribute to - the predicted up-turn in the economy.  Many will also choose to stay on for a postgraduate qualification - there were 7,000 economics postgraduates in 2006/07. Use the Complete University Guide to select the best course for your objectives and interests. www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk   Institution Student Satisfaction Research Assessment Entry Standards Graduate Prospects Overall Score 1 Cambridge   5 B 540 94 100.0 2 London School of Economics 3.76 5* A 513 90 97.1 3 University College London 3.63 5* A 465 88 94.9 4 Warwick 3.64 5* B 477 90 94.4 5 Oxford 3.97 5 B 519 84 93.8 6 Nottingham 3.49 5 A 457 80 90.6 7 Bristol 3.58 4 A 461 84 90.2 8 Durham 3.78 4 B 463 82 89.6 9 St Andrews 3.80 4 B 474 80 89.5 10 Bath 3.55 5 B 442 78 88.9  For the full listing see the Economics table within the subject tables > http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1819 1781 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:10:16 +0000 The sense of history in the making in the wake of the 2008 United States Presidential  election is certain to translate into a renewed demand for American Studies. So what do the courses cover and where are the best places to study at undergraduate level? As a multidisciplinary course, American Studies equips its graduates for a wide range of careers beyond academia. Graduates say that the year abroad associated with many courses is favoured by employers who are looking for maturity, a broad range of skills and an open mind. The complexity of a multidisciplinary course is seen as a firm foundation for the challenges of a global working environment. The Complete University Guide lists 30 universities with American Studies degree courses. The subject table lists the student satisfaction score, Research Assessment Exercise rating, entry standards for each (when available) and graduate prospects. While the main focus of American studies will be on the United States and Canada, several programmes – including table-topping Warwick's – make a point of addressing Latin America and the Caribbean region too. In 2006-07 just over 3,000 undergraduates were enrolled on American Studies at universities in the UK. Use the Complete University Guide to select the best course for your objectives and interests. www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk   Rank Institution Student Satisfaction Research Assessment Entry Standards Graduate Prospects Overall Score 1 Warwick 3.92 5 A 439 55 100.0 2 Leicester 4.38 5 A 322 60 99.5 3 Sussex 3.63 5 B 392 60 97.1 4 Birmingham 4.04 4 B 372 60 96.7 5 Nottingham 3.79 5* B 367 50 96.6 6 Lancaster 3.88 4 A 402 50 95.8 7 Liverpool 3.89 5 A 305 55 95.7 8 Manchester 3.71 5 B 382 50 95.1 9 Keele 3.87 5 B 319 50 93.8 10 Kent 4.06 4 B 280 50 91.9 To see the full list for American Studies see the subject tables, select American Studies from the drop down and select go to table. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1781 1616 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:44:19 +0000 If the Olympics have given your desire to get involved in sport a boost, university could be the best place to be. UK universities have world-class sports facilities, and students can enjoy sport at all levels, from the most basic right through to Olympic-medal standard! Visit The Complete University Guide for the lowdown on university sports and the University Sports Table, ranking the sports and facilities available at each university.   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1616 1613 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:33:56 +0000 A Unison survey of 10,000 health students across the UK showed that most had average debts of almost £7,000. Going to university can be an expensive business and you will need to muster all the resources you can lay your hands on, but don't let this put you off higher education. For advice and information on student finance visit The Complete University Guide. The guide contains an entire section on Money, with up-to-date details of the financial support available, a Loans & Grants timetable for 2009 entry, and detailed advice on managing your money and student budgeting.  for the full article Debt-ridden health students... http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1613 1610 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:26:56 +0000 A recent article in The Independent describes how Michael Bond, the writer and creator of Paddington Bear started his working life with the BBC, through his keen interest in radio. Michael Bond is describing his first job, but you might take a similar line in choosing which course to study at university. For a few people, choosing a course is simple: they have always wanted to be a brain surgeon or have always had a passion for Tudor England. For most, however, there are a bewildering variety of courses, many of which involve subjects that are not taught in schools or colleges. To help you narrow down the thousands of courses to just a few, The Complete University Guide has an entire section devoted to Choosing a Course. Together with the University and Subject League Tables, and much more, The Complete University Guide will guide you through the university application process from beginning to end.   for the full article My first job: Michael Bond... http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1610 1476 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:56:26 +0000 Exam results are published today in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and UCAS and the universities are ready for Clearing. We hope that you've achieved the results you need for your chosen course and university, but if not, don't despair: last year nearly one in 10 students secured their course through Clearing. Read our advice on Results Day, Clearing and What if I just miss my grades?, and check our guide Firm & Insurance Choices on Results Day. Then, head for Clearing. The Independent today carries the official UCAS Clearing Lists, where it is really easy to find the right course for you. Good luck!     for the official UCAS Clearing Search 2008     http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1476 1473 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:10:35 +0000 The sums of money required to attend university are a much-discussed subject, and a complicated one too! As a recent article in The Independent notes, one of the best things about university is the freedom you have, but this freedom brings with it responsibilities too. You need to apply for all the loans and grants to which you are entitled, and then organise how you spend the money by working to a budget. The Complete University Guide takes you through the entire subject of Money in a clear and concise way, covering everything from the financial support available to managing a budget. If you're coming from overseas or are simply crossing borders within the UK, we have all the help and advice you need.  for the full article Keep cool over cash concerns. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1473 1460 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:45:18 +0000 Results day for those living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is almost here. Get ahead of the game and read up on what action you should take on results day, whatever your results. We hope that you've been successful and have secured the university place you want but, if not, check out the most up-to-date advice on securing the best course at the best university for you through Clearing. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1460 1449 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:44:13 +0000 UCAS clearing for Scottish vacancies is now live. Use The Complete University Guide's knowledgable section on Applying to University as you work your way through the vacancy listings. And don't forget our unique University League and Subject tables and much, much more to help you find the best course at the best university for you. Happy hunting! http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1449 1447 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:12:17 +0000 Scottish exam results were published on Tuesday 5 August and those of you elsewhere only have to wait until Thursday 14 August for yours. If you are still waiting for your results, visit the links below and take the time to do some planning. If you are in Scotland, we  hope that you have gained (or surpassed) your expected grades, but if not, don't worry! There are still plenty of vacancies out there and The Complete University Guide has all the advice you need to get the most out of Clearing. As an article in The Independent reveals, last year UCAS helped 27,218 Scottish applicants to go university or college, and there were still over 37,000 courses with vacancies by the time most exam results had come out. To make the most of these opportunities, check out our pages on Results Day, Clearing and What if I just miss my grades?   for the full article Studying in Scotland: how clearing can help http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1447 1337 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:40:43 +0000 A final-year student at Imperial College London, David Dalgado is studying civil and environmental engineering. As described in a recent article in The Independent, he decided upon a career in civil engineering to try and make a difference in developing countries and has been able to take part in practical applications through work experience. Are you interested in studying civil engineering too? Visit The Complete University Guide and its University Subject Tables, ranking the universities within 59 individual subjects. Whether it is civil engineering (41 institutions ranked in the Guide), general engineering (33 institutions ranked), or something completely different, the University League Tables, can help you make the right decision for you.  for the full article Civil and environmental engineering – making a difference http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1337 1336 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:28:10 +0000 Often starting a university course and moving away from home go hand in hand, and for many students it will be the first time they really have to fend for themselves. However, whether you move into university or college halls of residence, take a room in a house share, or even buy your own home, you will find lots of advice on where to live, how to find it and what to take into account in The Complete University Guide. A recent article in The Independent offers advice on moving in halls of residence, and you'll find a section on university halls and houses in The Complete University Guide too. There is also information on accommodation within each of the guide's University profiles, which will give you an initial feel for what's on offer, and provides useful links to university websites.  for the full article The living is easy http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1336 1335 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:12:23 +0000 The Independent carries a useful article on keeping in shape while at university. With so much going on during the early days at university or college, your health may not be high on your list of priorities, but by thinking about it now, you'll be prepared if anything goes wrong, and less likely to have health problems interrupting your fun later on. As well as following The Independent's advice, take advantage of the tremendous range and quality of student sports clubs, facilities and classes available at university. The Complete University Guide has an entire section devoted to University Sports, including a detailed and up-to-date University Sports table, which will give an initial guide as to what's on offer at the different institutions. Check out the University Profiles, which include a summary of the institutions' sport provision, useful university weblinks and, for the first time, feature most of the UK's higher education institutions.  for the full article Health: How to keep in good shape   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1335 1334 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:52:50 +0000 Don't worry if you still don't have a university place. UCAS Clearing is a well organised process of matching universities without students to students without universities. Last year over 38,000 people found places at university and higher education colleges through the Clearing service. The Complete University Guide has plenty of useful information on Clearing and on making it work for you. Remember, too, that the section on Applying takes you through the entire application process. And, if you're still not sure about the best university and most appropriate course, take a look at the University rankings and league table, and the university subject tables.  for the full article How to find your perfect course via UCAS Clearing   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1334 1328 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:57:12 +0000 Students who have not received offers from any of their top universities, or have changed their minds about the best course for them and wish to decline any offers they have received, can use UCAS Extra. Students eligible for UCAS Extra will have been sent all the required details by UCAS, and will have seen a button 'Extra' on their Track screen. Take note, however, that 7 July is the last date for applicants to refer themselves through UCAS Extra.  Don't forget to log onto The Complete University Guide for the university league tables and lots of advice, including Choosing a Course, Choosing a University and University Profiles, which, for the first time, feature most of the UK's higher education institutions. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1328 1320 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:41:09 +0000 A recent article in The Independent highlighted the fact that a few years ago only four UK universities and higher education institutions offered courses in Computer Forensics: this year, there are 23 listed by UCAS. Computers are often used in more traditional crimes, but as criminals become more adept at using new technologies to their advantage, so the need for cyber crime prevention and investigation increases. The following universities are offering Computer Forensics for 2008, through UCAS: Anglia Ruskin, Birmingham City, Bradford, Canterbury Christ Church, Central Lancashire, Coventry, De Montfort, Derby, Glamorgan, Huddersfield, Kingston, Leeds Metropolitan, Manchester Metropolitan, Middlesex, Northumbria, Nottingham Trent, Portsmouth, Sheffield Hallam, Staffordshire, Sunderland, Teesside, UWCN Newport, West of England.  for the full article Cyber sleuths are in demand as digital crime rises       http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1320 1316 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:31:56 +0000 After selecting the right course and best university at which to study, one of the major decisions for prospective students is where to live. With the rising cost of student accommodation, it pays to research and shop around. A recent article in The Independent has several suggestions, including searching online and considering private halls. The Complete University's Guide's section on Where to Live, also offers lots of advice on how to go about selecting accommodation, and the Student Accommodation weblinks list other useful sources of information.   for the full article How to find the best digs in town http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1316 1315 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:48:32 +0000 As well as identifying the top universities nationally, The Complete University Guide now ranks the best universities by region. Prospective students may want to study at a university close to home, or in the same area as a friend, or perhaps other factors such as the nightlife, outdoor sports, coast, countryside or city may be part of the of appeal. Whatever the reason, our university rankings now include league tables for Scotland, the North East and North West, Yorkshire & Humberside, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands, London, the South East, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland. Follow up a regional search with a look at how each university fares subject by subject, in the Subject Tables.   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1315 1299 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:58:13 +0000 In spite of his current troubles, Gordon Brown is still a good advertisement for a Scottish education and there has been a string of successful Scottish business people in the news recently. An article in The Independent gives an insight into the range and wealth of MBAs on offer at Scottish universities, but if you're planing the start of your time at university, use our data to help you choose. To start, head for the University League Table and the Subject Tables to get a feel for the right course and institution. Follow this up by clicking on Students, for in depth advice on choosing a course and a university, together with information on bursaries & scholarships, and accommodation.   for the full article From the PM to the Dragons' Den, reasons for the Scottish to be proud http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1299 1298 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:36:12 +0000 Recent figures show that, of the students due to finish nursing degrees and diplomas in 2006, 26% dropped out during their three-year course. Many people start their nursing courses ill-prepared for the reality of the hard physical and mental work. As a result universities are changing their recruitment processes and altering the course structures, to ensure that prospective students are aware of the realities of a nursing career and to give them additional support. To see how the institutions offering nursing qualifications square up, look up Nursing in our listing of the Top Universities by Subject. Follow this up by looking at the individual university profiles.  for the full article Nursing is a rewarding dose of reality http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1298 1278 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:49:06 +0000 University is not all lectures and hard work - and students can now check the opportunities for sport and recreation as they choose their university with the help of The Complete University Guide. The Guide, today makes available for the first time compehensive information compiled by British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) - the new national organisation for higher education sport in the UK. The Sports table > Dr Bernard Kingston, a Partner in Mayfield University Consultants and principle compiler of The Guide, said: "If you have real ability and commitment, going to university isn't only a chance to get a degree. It is probably the best opportunity you'll ever have to develop your sporting talent in some of the finest facilities with some of the best support services in the country in the company of some of the élite performers. "Many universities offer a full range of sports such as football, rugby, netball, hockey, tennis and squash as well as the less common - archery, American football, caving, fencing, gliding, hot air ballooning, motor sports, sub-aqua, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee and windsurfing. "There are also a wide range of 'lifestyle' or fitness activities including aerobics, Tai Chi, campus walks and opportunities to work out in modern, well-equipped fitness studios at subsidised rates." A vast amount of information is available on The Complete University Guide website - including the rankings assigned to individual universities for their performance in the BUCS competition programme, which collates all the results and produces "ranking points" for all 150 participating universities each year. "The higher a university's BUCS Ranking, the higher the overall standard of a universiy's representative teams " Dr Kingston said. "Universities are a natural home for diversity and this is reflected in the multitude of opportunities available in sport or active recreation," added Karen Rothery, Chief Executive of British Universities & Colleges Sport. "The BUCS competition programme is the largest of its kind in Europe and institutions offer a range of clubs, classes and activities to suit all levels of participation delivered by professional sporting staff and instructors. The Complete University Guide gives potential students a comprehensive overview of how to get involved for health, participation or competition - it's all on offer." http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1278 1274 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:13:13 +0000 www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk The UK's pioneering interactive university league table - published in association with The Independent - becomes The Complete University Guide with effect from June 12th. As this site continues to grow in popularity and we regularly update and introduce new features we have changed the name to reflect its comprehensive nature - The Complete University Guide is the best and most complete guide for all your needs. The Complete University Guide (www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk) is fully independent, autonomous and highly regarded for its responsiveness to the university community and its commitment to giving users the most exhaustive, accurate and relevant information on the most important decision they may have made - which is the most appropriate university course for their needs. Previously located at www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk, the on-line only interactive guide was developed with support from PriceWaterhouseCoopers. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1274 1240 Thu, 22 May 2008 06:20:50 +0000 Personal security and risk to possessions a consideration for university applicants   Choice of subject and academic reputation are the key factors would-be students will consider when choosing where to study. But personal safety – and the security of valuable possessions such as laptop computers, mobile telephones and music players – can never be far from applicants' minds – and from the minds of their parents. The Complete University Guide today lists the crime statistics most relevant to students for cities with two or more universities across the whole United Kingdom. There are also Top Tip for Staying Safe. The data, derived from officially recorded statistics for categories of crime committed outside London, is  averaged over a three-year period. Dr Bernard Kingston of Mayfield University Consultants, said: “Security of person and property are sadly important considerations that young people have to take into account when selecting a university. The choice of institution is not simply based on academic reputation and performance, but on the quality of life students will enjoy for the three or four years of their course." “Unlike many other factors, the incidence of criminal acts is outside the control of the university. Nevertheless, this does not mean that potential students should ignore it. It is simply one more question they are entitled to ask.” For the latest crime stats and Top Tips of Staying Safe For a detailed account see the article published today in The Independent How Secure is Your City? http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1240 1239 Wed, 21 May 2008 17:25:14 +0000     Imperial College and the London School of Economics are the capital’s highest ranked university institutions, according to the latest edition of The Complete University Guide.   They were ranked equal third in the country when the Guide when live with its 2009 rankings. University College was eighth and the School of Oriental and African Studies ninth. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. The Guide also ranked universities in 59 subject areas. Imperial was in the top ten nationally in all 14 subjects it offers. The LSE appeared in the top ten in 11 out of 12, topping the tables in four (Accounting and Finance, Anthropology, Business Studies, and Social Policy). University College was in the top ten in the country for 27 of 37 subjects offered, heading the tables in two (Art and Design and Librarianship and Information Management). King’s College was in the top ten for 15 our of 29 subjects. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1239 1213 Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:50 +0000     The University of Cambridge has slipped back behind its arch-rival Oxford, in the 2009 League Tables, but remains the dominant higher education institutions in the East of England.   Last year, Cambridge topped the 2008 national league table. But, despite its second place in the latest edition, it appears in the top ten for all 43 subjects that it offers, and is in first place in 36 of them. Oxford is in the top ten for all its 32 subjects, with five first places. The University of East Anglia, 33rd in the national table with two out of 25 top ten placings, and the University of Essex, at 25th in the national table and with one of its 18 subjects placed in the top ten, and were the next best performing universities in the region. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1213 1184 Mon, 05 May 2008 09:31:36 +0000 Cardiff University emerges as Wales’ strongest academic institution in a new interactive guide to Britain’s universities. It came 35th in a national ranking of 113 UK universities and reached the national top ten in 12 of the 42 subjects it teaches – including a table-topping performance for architecture. After Cardiff came Aberystwyth, which was 45th in the national table, Swansea, which made the top ten with two of its 33 subjects despite being placed 47th nationally, and Bangor (55th). UWIC Cardiff was 65th, Newport 83rd, Glamorgan 86th, and Lampeter 101st. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. The UK Complete University Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1184 1181 Thu, 01 May 2008 10:49:36 +0000 The University of Warwick is the leading university in the West Midlands according to this interactive guide to the UK’s universities. It was placed fifth in The Complete University Guide’s league table of 113 UK universities. Aston University was placed 23rd and the University of Birmingham 24tht in the table. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. In a separate survey by the Guide, Warwick was the only university in the region to top one of the 59 subject tables. Warwick appeared in the top ten for 20 of the 25 subjects it offers and topped the table for American Studies, outperforming all other universities in the region. Only the University of Birmingham challenged Warwick, with nine out of 45 appearances in a subject top ten. Aston was placed in a top ten listing for two out of 16 subjects, and Keele for three out of 26. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1181 1177 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:34:40 +0000 The University of York is again the regional leader in Yorkshire and Humberside, according to this new interactive guide to the UK’s universities.   The Complete University Guide places York 11th in its national ranking of 113 UK universities, ahead of Sheffield in 26th place and Leeds in 32nd. The University of Hull was 48th, Bradford 49th, and Sheffield Hallam the highest placed former polytechnic at 80th. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge.   In a separate survey for the Guide, Sheffield appeared in the top ten in 20 of the 41 subjects it offers. York was in the top ten for 10 out of 21 subjects, and was top of the table nationally for two – Nursing and Social Work. Leeds achieved 11 top ten places out of 48 subjects, while Leeds Metropolitan  appeared in two national subject rankings and Bradford in one. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1177 1174 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:17:57 +0000     The University of Bristol and the University of Bath are both rated highly in a new interactive guide to the nation’s universities.   The Complete University Guide placed Bath 14th and Bristol 16th in its national league table of 113 UK universities. The University of Exeter was 19th, Bournemouth 56th, Gloucestershire 58th, West of England 66th, Plymouth 70th, and Bath Spa 76th. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. In a separate survey for the Guide, Bath narrowly beat Bristol in a regional ranking of performances across 59 academic subjects. Bath was in the Top Ten for 18 of the 25 subjects it offers. Twenty-eight of Bristol’s 38 subjects made the Top Ten and it topped the national table in dance, drama and cinematics. Exeter has 13 of its 30 subjects in a Top Ten, the Royal Agricultural College one of its two subjects and Plymouth two out of 39. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1174 1164 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:12:28 +0000   Lancaster University is the leading university in the north-west, according to the latest edition of an interactive guide to the UK’s universities. Lancaster is placed 10th in the overall league table compiled for The Complete University Guide. The University of Manchester – the UK’s largest higher education institution – is 27th and the University of Liverpool 42nd, according to the Guide. Oxford topped the national league table, with Cambridge in second place. But Manchester’s reputation for all-round academic strength is evident from its performance in a survey of 59 subject offered in UK universities, appearing in the national top ten for 14 of the 49 it teaches, compared with 11 out of 39 for its nearest rival, the University of Liverpool. Lancaster was third in the region, with seven top ten places out of 29, while Salford was fourth with two out of 33. The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1164 1160 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:51:13 +0000 The University of Durham is in sixth place in an authoritative ranking of UK universities published today. Of the other North East universities, the Complete University Guide ranks Newcastle University 27th, Northumbria 73rd, Sunderland 79th and Teesside 102nd. Oxford topped the table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. Durham, a member of the 1994 Group of internationally-renowned research intensive universities, was placed in the first ten in 22 of the 32 subjects it offers. Only the University of Newcastle came close, with 12 of its 36 subjects in a Top Ten. Of the region’s three former polytechnics only one – Northumbria University – had a Top Ten subject among the 37 it teaches – Librarianship and Information Management.  The Guide’s on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1160 1156 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:11:54 +0000 The University of Leicester is the highest placed university in the East Midlands, according to an authoritative on-line interactive guide to 113 of the United Kingdom's universities published 24th April 2008. It is placed 12th in The Complete University Guide's new national ranking, ahead of the University of Loughborough, which is 13th and the University of Nottingham, which is in 16th place. In separate listings for the leading universities in 59 subjects, Loughborough was placed in the top ten for 15 of the 27 subjects it offers, topping the tables in three - Building, Communications and Media Studies and Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Nottingham appeared in the top ten nationally for 15 of the 44 subjects it offered, topping the tables in one - Agriculture and Forestry. The University of Leicester is in the top ten five times out of a possible 23, but topped none. Nottingham Trent University was fourth with two out of 33 top ten placings, while De Montfort appeared in the top ten for one out of 26. Oxford topped the national table, ahead of the University of Cambridge. The Guide's on-line interactivity allows users to break away from the rigidities of existing newspaper and book-based guides. Users are able to design their own league table by choosing the criteria that are directly important to them and then weighting them to reflect the significance they attach to them, such as weighting student satisfaction over entry standards or employment prospects over good degrees http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1156 1152 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:52:39 +0000 Oxford University's position at the top of the league table for 2009 sees the ancient university pushing its competitor, Cambridge, into second place and regaining the pole position that it occupied for five consecutive years before that. The Complete University Guide, published today for the first time in association with The Independent, shows Warwick – in fifth position – to be the top university outside London and the dreaming spires of Oxbridge, reinforcing its position as a university that pays attention to its research ratings as well as its teaching. Extract from The Independent, for the full article see Top of the Class Again For the NEW University League > For the New Subject League Tables > http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1152 1144 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:35:44 +0000 The 2009 League Tables compiled by The Complete University Guide will be published on the 24th April 2008.  They will be available online at www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk and key extracts will be published in Educational supplement in The Independent on Thursday 24th April 2008. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1144 1129 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:53:34 +0000 The Complete University Guide is delighted to announce that the 2009 League Table will be published in The Indpendent.   Ian Birrell, Deputy Editor of The Independent, said: “We are delighted to be publishing the 2009 University League Tables. This will provide our readers with a unique service, offering sophisticated comparisons between universities on a range of criteria, including value-for-money, academic quality and student satisfaction. This will complement the material we publish later in the year in association with UCAS.”   Dr Bernard Kingston, said: “The Independent is the natural home for our university league tables. Through this association, The Complete University Guide is affirming its autonomy, credibility and reliability."   For the first time this year the subject tables include a number of institutions specialising in art, agriculture, drama, education and music.   Also for the first time, a student satisfaction measure (based on National Student Survey outcomes) is included in the Subject Tables.   To note ·        Although published in 2008, the University League Table is described as 2009 because most users will be considering university entry in 2009, they can of course be used for 2008 entrants as well.   See 2008 League Tables and 2008 Subject Tables http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1129 1118 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:53:18 +0000 Top ten most popular subjects by accepted students 1   Law                                        14,952 2   Design                                  13,901 3   Psychology                          13,083 4   Management studies        11,538 5   Business studies               10,691 6   Computer science                9,987 7   English studies                     8,853 8   Pre-clinical Medicine            8,011 9   Social work                             7,769 10  Sports science                     7,759 (Entry 2006, UCAS). see subject tables for full details http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1118 1104 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:43:36 +0000 BA Adventure recreation BA Animation BA Hausa and Arabic BA Special effects BSc Dairy herd management BA Packaging design BA Playwork BSc Police studies and citizenship BSc Disaster management BA Viking studies see Choosing a course for more information about how to decide what to study. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1104 1097 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:39:03 +0000 Top ten universities for academic services spend   1    Oxford                        £1,656   2    Abertay                      £1,318   3    Imperial College       £1,230   4    University College London    £1,152   5    SOAS                          £1,143   6    Cambridge                 £1,129   7    London School of Economics  £1,106   8    King's College London   £954   9    Aston                         £921   10   Edinburgh               £890 For full details see the main league table for 2008 figures   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1097 1089 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:35:47 +0000 The table below shows who is top ten for their subjects in the 2008 University Rankings       Appear in Subject Tables In Top Place In % Top 10             1 Imperial College 14 0 14 100 2 London School of Economics 12 4 12 100 3 Royal Veterinary College 2 0 2 100 4 Oxford 35 5 35 100 5 Cambridge 46 35 45 97.8 6 Bath 26 1 23 88.5 7 Bristol 40 0 32 80 8 Warwick 27 1 20 74.1 9 University College London 38 1 27 71.1 10 Edinburgh 47 2 30 63.8 11 Durham 32 1 19 59.4 12 St Andrews 25 0 14 56 13 York 22 1 12 54.5 14 Nottingham 47 1 25 53.2 15 King's College London 29 0 15 51.7 16 Surrey 24 1 12 50 17 Harper Adams 2 0 1 50 18 SOAS 9 0 4 44.4 19 Aberdeen 31 0 13 41.9 20 Loughborough 28 2 11 39.3   See the main league tables and subject tables for further details.   http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=1089 732 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:31:22 +0000 University News from the East Midlands.  This low-lying region, part industrial, part rural has a real mix amongst its eight universities. Nottingham, Loughborough and Leicester are typical of the older universities and likewise the former polytechnics with Nottingham Trent, De Montfort in Leicester and Lincoln. There are also two new universities at Northampton and Derby. Most have undergone significant expansion in the recent past, coupled in some cases with consolidation. De Montfort, for example, no longer has a campus at Bedford nor Lincoln at Hull. As elsewhere, the universities have markedly contrasting missions with some seeing themselves, and being seen, as international, research-intensive institutions whilst others concentrate more on serving their local communities. Nottingham has quality in depth and breadth, appearing no less than 47 times in our Subject Tables, a situation only surpassed by Manchester. However, at 14th place in the main League Table it is piped by Loughborough (11th) but still comes ahead of Leicester (20th). Nottingham Trent (56th) just makes it into the top half of the Table and remains one of the most successful former polytechnics. De Montfort comes next highest of the region's universities, all of which appear in the lower half of the Table. Many of the univerisities in the region do particularly well within the individual criteria used to compile the League Table. Leicester and Loughborough (Student Satisfaction and Spend on Student Facilities), Nottingham (Good Honours and Completion) and Nottingham Trent (Graduate Prospects) all feature in the top 10 universities for these ranking measures.  Within the region, Nottingham dominates the Subject Tables with 25 (53%) of its 47 subjects in the Top 10, including a top of the table spot for its prowess in Agriculture & Forestry. But here again Loughborough challenges with 11 (39%) of its 28 subjects in the Top 10 and does even better with two top of the table places in Communication & Media Studies and Sport & Recreation (see the Hospitality table).  Nottingham Trent comes next with 2 (5%) out of 38 and Leicester with 1 (4%) out of 27 of subjects taught appearing in the Top 10. In their individual University Profiles, De Montfort highlights its academic strengths in media-related courses and fasion and design; Derby in law, psychology, photography and hospitality management; Lincoln in media subjects, business studies, conservation and restoration and forensic science; and Northampton its expertise in fashion, education, health, psychology and business studies.  http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=732 731 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:32:04 +0000 Over the last few years there have been a number of attempts to rank the universities on a world-wide basis. The latest of these was published just before Christmas 2007 by Quacquarelli Symonds (www.topuniversities.com) in conjunction with Times Higher. Its approach differs markedly from ours by relying heavily on the subjective impressions of fellow academics and major recruiters of graduates. These two measures alone account for 50% of the overall score which is also based on citations of published research, student:staff ratio and how many staff and students come from other countries. Given these emphases, it is likely that these tables will appeal rather more to the would-be researcher than to an undergraduate applicant.   The UK universities do well with four in the Top 10 (Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College and UCL), a further four in the Top 50 (Edinburgh, King’s London, Manchester and Bristol) and eighteen overall in the Top 100, including Cardiff just making it in at 99th as the sole representative of Wales. There are some spectacular shifts year on year, one being the LSE which was 17th in 2006 but fell to 59th in 2007. This looks decidedly odd for an institution that, by any standard, is in the premier league. Such oscillations are typical of rankings in their early years when the methodology is inevitably changing. In 2007, for example, the compilers of these international tables introduced a statistical technique we first used some five years ago called a Z-score transformation. This bases a university’s score on the average for all those ranked rather than on the score of the top university.   For an alternative perspective on international ranking of universities, you might like to compare and contrast the above work with that of colleagues at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2007/ranking2007.htm) who produced the first of their annual tables in 2003. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=731 662 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:37:44 +0000 University News from the East of England.    This low-lying rural region has only six universities but there is also real collaboration between them to bring higher education to its scattered communities. The Cambridge colleges are a major tourist attraction and the city also houses one of the Anglia Ruskin campuses, the other being in Chelmsford. East Anglia at Norwich and Essex at Colchester have developed on single purpose-built green field campuses whereas Bedfordshire (at Luton and Bedford) and Hertfordshire (at Hatfield, St Albans and Bayfordbury) serve much wider geographical areas. The universities have markedly contrasting missions with some seeing themselves, and being seen, as international, research-intensive institutions whilst others do a magnificent job of serving their local communities. Cambridge is unique, not only for its ancient origins but also for its unrivalled scholarship. It is the raison d’etre for the very existence of the city and dominates its life. It also dominates our League Table achieving first place ahead of Oxford, some of the London Colleges and St Andrews in Scotland. And it does so in style, given that it appears at or near the top for each and every one of our nine measures of university quality. East Anglia – or UEA as it is better known – does magnificently and makes it into the Top 20 (at =20th with Leicester and Southampton) and Essex to a very credible 34th out of the 113 UK universities in the ranking. Bedfordshire comes highest of the region’s new universities, all three of which appear in the lower half of the Table. Cambridge is not alone in the region for doing particularly well within the individual criteria used to compile the League Table. UEA (Student Satisfaction, Spend on Student Facilities and Completion) and Essex (Research Assessment and SSR) both feature in the top 20 universities for these ranking measures.  Within the region, Cambridge also dominates the Subject Tables with 45 (98%) of its 46 subjects in the Top 10. But more than that, in a staggering 35 of these 45 subjects the University tops the individual Tables of all the UK universities teaching those subjects. No other university comes remotely near achieving that status in terms of depth and breadth.  Essex comes next with 3 (15%) out of 20 and UEA with 3 (11%) out of 27 of subjects taught appearing in the Top 10. In their individual University Profiles, Bedfordshire highlights its academic strengths in media-related courses and sports science; Anglia Ruskin its prowess in the humanities, social work and subjects allied to medicine; and Hertfordshire its expertise in blended learning. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=662 661 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:36:42 +0000 University News from the North-East.     The region has only five universities, the smallest group for any region. Two (Newcastle and Northumbria) are both located in Newcastle itself with the remaining three (Sunderland, Teesside and Durham) all close by. Durham also has a campus at Stockton. The universities here have markedly contrasting missions with some seeing themselves, and being seen, as international, research-intensive institutions whilst others do a magnificent job of serving their local communities. Durham is the oldest and is ranked 10th in the League Table, more than ten places above its nearest rival, Newcastle (23th). It has much to commend, not only in scholarship and sport but also in its magnificent setting. There is an intimacy about Durham rarely found in an English city and herein lies another contrast with the vibrancy of Newcastle, long since one of the most popular destinations for university applicants. The other universities in the North East appear in the lower half of the Table. Not surprisingly, Durham does particularly well within the individual measures used to compile the League Table. It is in the top 20 universities for six of the nine measures. Newcastle appears twice by the same criteria, alongside Durham for its Completion rate and elsewhere for its generous expenditures on Student Facilities.   Within the region, Durham also dominates the Subject Tables with 19 (59%) of its 32 subjects in the Top 10 and the University top out of the whole UK in English. Newcastle comes next with 9 (24%) out of 38 subjects and Northumbria with also a subject in the Top 10. In their individual University Profiles, Northumbria highlights its reputation in architecture and design, law, sport, primary education and subjects allied to medicine; Sunderland, its strengths in teacher training, health-related subjects, art and design, the social sciences and computing; and Teesside, its expertise in health-related subjects, design, sport and computing (including computer games design). http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=661 660 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:35:38 +0000 University News from South-East England. Oxford might be 2nd overall in our League Table but it easily retains its world-class status and is in a class of its own in the region. It appears in the Top 10 of the Subject Tables for all 35 subjects it offers, a unique achievement not realized by any other UK university teaching such a wide spectrum of disciplines. And it comes 1st for Business Studies, Education, Linguistics, Materials Technology and Politics. It doesn’t end there, what with a staggering Completion rate of 98.4% and Good Honours awarded of 89.4%. But enough of Oxford – there are many gems amongst the other 16 universities in the South-East: Royal Holloway (13th), Southampton (=20th), Sussex (26th), Reading (29th), Surrey (35th) and Kent (36th). Oxford Brookes leads the newer universities whilst Winchester tops the very newest universities in the region. Surrey deserves a special mention for the quality of its courses with 12 (50%) of its subject areas in the Top 10 of the Subject Tables and the No.1 spot in Food Science. Next comes Southampton(also 12 subjects), Reading (7 plus a 1st in Land & Property Management) and Sussex (5). Portsmouth appears in the Top 10 for four of its subjects and Brighton for two, once again emphasizing strength in depth at all the British universities. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=660 659 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:34:58 +0000 University News from the North West.   Lancaster is ranked 19th in the League Table, more than ten places above Manchester (=31st) and more than twenty above Liverpool (=41st). The University is doing well and is striving to do even better and now shares its city with the University of Cumbria. The other universities in the North West appear in the lower half of the Table but some like Salford (62nd) and Central Lancashire (=63rd) only just so. A number of the universities in this region do particularly well within the individual measures used to compile the League Table: Manchester for Entry Standards, Lancaster and Chester for Student Satisfaction, Lancaster and Manchester for Research Assessment, Manchester for Academic Services Spend, Bolton for Facilities Spend and Lancaster for Completion. Manchester dominates the Subject Tables where it appears in no less than 50 of the 61, a breadth not matched by any other UK university. And in 16 of its 50 subject areas (32%), Manchester is placed in the Top 10, closely followed by Liverpool (28%), Lancaster (20%), Salford (7%) and Manchester Metropolitan (3%) In their individual University Profiles, Central Lancashire makes special mention of American studies, deaf studies, nursing, education studies and psychology and Bolton its biology, education, health studies, nursing, psychology and textiles. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=659 658 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:34:04 +0000 University News from Scotland. The day after the launch of www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk, The Scotsman headline declared, “St Andrews takes honours in university poll” – and rightly so. It topped our Student Satisfaction ranking, no mean achievement in its first year of taking part in the National Student Survey alongside both Glasgow and Edinburgh. The University came 5th out of 113 in our League Table of UK universities and was the top university in Scotland followed by Edinburgh (16th in UK) and Glasgow (30th). In the Subject Tables, however, Edinburgh wears the crown with two thirds of its 47 subjects appearing in the Top 10 list – two, Middle Eastern & African Studies and Social Work leading their fields. After Edinburgh comes St Andrews (again!) with 14 of its 25 subjects in the Top 10, Aberdeen (13), Glasgow and Strathclyde (7 each), and Dundee (5). Queen Margaret, Scotland’s newest university, comes into the League Table for the first time at a very respectable 58th with also its reputation for speech & language therapy taking it into the Top 10 of our Other Subjects Allied to Medicine. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=658 657 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:33:19 +0000 University News from Yorkshire. York is ranked =14th with Nottingham in the League Table, more than ten places above Sheffield (25th) and more than twenty above Leeds (37th). It is one of those new wave of universities founded less than a half century ago which has consistently excelled in all it does. The University has the added attraction of access to one of the UK’s major tourist cities yet located on a green field campus away from the hustle and bustle. The other universities in Yorkshire and the Humber appearing in the upper half of the Table are Hull (=39th) and Bradford (49th). Not surprisingly, York does particularly well within the individual measures used to compile the League Table. It is in the top 10 universities for seven of the nine measures where it is joined by Sheffield for Entry Standards and Research Assessment, Hull for Student Satisfaction, and Leeds and Sheffield for Good Honours. Bradford has an enviable record for Graduate Prospects coming an impressive 14th in the UK by this criterion. Within the region, Sheffield dominates the Subject Tables with 17 (39%) of its 44 subjects in the Top 10, three of which are in the No. 1 spot (American Studies, Dentistry and Librarianship & Information Studies). In percentage terms, York does rather better with 12 (55%) of its subjects in the Top 10. Leeds (29%), Hull (15%), Leeds Metropolitan (7%) and Bradford (4%) follow. In their individual University Profiles, Huddersfield highlights its quality in history, music, social work and teacher training, and Sheffield Hallam its strength in subjects allied to medicine, tourism and travel, building and town planning, law and business, and sports science. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=657 656 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:29:14 +0000 University News from Wales.  Cardiff is ranked 27th in the League Table and, in that sense, is in a class of its own. Some of the constituent colleges of the University of Wales jostle for positions in the 40s (Aberystwyth 43rd, Bangor 46th and Swansea 47th) and these are followed by Lampeter (=59th), Newport (65th), Glamorgan (68th) and UWIC (74th). Not surprisingly, given its high ranking amongst the 113 UK universities, Cardiff also does well in the Subject Tables where it features in no fewer than 41 of the subjects covered. In 13 of these, it appears in the Top 10 institutions and has the coveted 1st place for its excellence in Subjects allied to Medicine. Swansea (5 in Top 10), Aberystwyth (3), Bangor (3) and Lampeter (1) complete the picture. In their individual University Profiles, Bangor makes special mention of psychology and environmental sciences; Lampeter, religious studies, archeology and English; Newport, art, media & design; and UWIC, sport, health sciences and art & design. Although not universities, some other Welsh higher education institutions of note are the North East Wales Institute at Wrexham, Swansea Institute (soon perhaps to be Swansea Metropolitan University) and Trinity College, Carmarthan. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=656 655 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:27:43 +0000 University News from the West Midlands.     The University comes 8th out of 113 institutions in our interactive League Table, up there with the very best that Oxbridge and London has to offer. It is a remarkable performance for a university which has been in existence for less than half a century. And one which has shown  consistently high rankings in league tables and performance indicators throughout the last decade. And it has strengths in both breadth and depth for teaching and research. For example, Warwick appears in 27 of our 61 Subject Tables and in 20 of those 27 subjects, it figures amongst the Top 10 Universities. Pride of place goes to the top of the table spot for Drama, Dance & Cinematics - see specific mention of Theatre & Cultural Policy Studies in the Warwick profile. Other institutions in the West Midlands to emerge with distinction in our tables include Birmingham (11 subjects in Top 10), Aston (3), Keele (3) and Central England (2). This emphasises the importance of consulting much more widely than the League Table. Although a university might not be ranked near the top, most have some academic departments where quality teaching and research are the order of the day. But you need to drill down at the subject level to see this for yourself http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=655 597 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:39:54 +0000 The region has only five universities, the smallest group for any region. Two (Newcastle and Northumbria) are both located in Newcastle itself with the remaining three (Sunderland, Teesside and Durham) all close by. Durham also has a campus at Stockton. The universities here have markedly contrasting missions with some seeing themselves, and being seen, as international, research-intensive institutions whilst others do a magnificent job of serving their local communities. Durham is the oldest and is ranked 10th in the League Table, more than ten places above its nearest rival, Newcastle (23th). It has much to commend, not only in scholarship and sport but also in its magnificent setting. There is an intimacy about Durham rarely found in an English city and herein lies another contrast with the vibrancy of Newcastle, long since one of the most popular destinations for university applicants. The other universities in the North East appear in the lower half of the Table. Not surprisingly, Durham does particularly well within the individual measures used to compile the League Table. It is in the top 20 universities for six of the nine measures. Newcastle appears twice by the same criteria, alongside Durham for its Completion rate and elsewhere for its generous expenditures on Student Facilities.   Within the region, Durham also dominates the Subject Tables with 19 (59%) of its 32 subjects in the Top 10 and the University top out of the whole UK in English. Newcastle comes next with 9 (24%) out of 38 subjects and Northumbria with also a subject in the Top 10. In their individual University Profiles, Northumbria highlights its reputation in architecture and design, law, sport, primary education and subjects allied to medicine; Sunderland, its strengths in teacher training, health-related subjects, art and design, the social sciences and computing; and Teesside, its expertise in health-related subjects, design, sport and computing (including computer games design). http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=597