New independent research highlights the “hidden gem” universities in the South West
The team behind the renowned Complete University Guide have crunched the data to shine a light on some of the universities blazing a trail across the South West
As thousands of students and families prepare for UCAS application deadlines just after Christmas, new independent research released today (Wednesday, 14th December) reveals universities making up “areas of excellence” across the country - including here in the South West.
The team behind the renowned Complete University Guide have crunched the data to shine a light on some of the universities blazing a trail across the South West region, including those with some subjects that rank amongst the best in the UK. The message could not be clearer - “you don’t have to go far to go far!”.
With the cost-of-living putting increasing pressure on students and families, the new “areas of excellence” data highlights some excellent subjects in the South West and across the UK that they might not have considered.
The “areas of excellence” data for the South West region reveals:
- Plymouth has three “hidden gems” ranking in the top ten UK-wide with Food Science, and Childhood and Youth Studies both coming in 6th place and Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy sitting comfortably in the top 10 at 7th place.
- Building at West of England, Bristol is ranked 6th overall.
- Gloucestershire also sits in the tenth spot for Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies out of a crowded field of 60 other universities.
Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said:
“The Complete University Guide is the gold standard for university rankings in the UK, and has helped countless students choose the university and the course that is right for them. While invaluable, the league tables do not tell the whole story, with some tremendous success stories lost beneath the headlines.
“Today’s research shows applicants the excellence that exists on their doorstep or closer to home. I am confident that the new “areas of excellence” will work alongside the annual league tables, showcasing hidden gems in the South West region and across the UK.”
The research also reveals other “hidden gems” across the UK, with Universities providing sector-leading subjects that many students may be unaware of. These include:
| City, University of London | Communication & Media Studies | 1 | 1% |
| Edge Hill | Tourism, Transport, Travel & Heritage Studies | 2 |
3%
|
| Dundee | Forensic Science | 1 |
3%
|
| Staffordshire | Childhood & Youth Studies | 4 |
8%
|
| Hull | Paramedic Science | 1 |
3%
|
| Ulster | Pharmacology & Pharmacy | 3 | 7% |
| Lincoln | Social Work | 5 | 6% |
| Kent | Art & Design | 6 |
7%
|
Simon Emmett, Chief Executive Officer of IDP Connect, said:
“The Complete University Guide’s mission has always been about helping students make the right decisions about their future. Today’s publication of the “areas of excellence” builds on this work, and reflects the changing landscape that students are entering university in and equips universities with key student research to use alongside their own data insights.
“The current challenges facing students and families, from cost-of-living to accommodation, have informed this new CUG research, acknowledging that there are factors impacting university applications that simply did not feature a decade ago. The research shows that it can pay to stay local, or to consider some world-class options in less well-known universities.
“This independently collated data has also enabled us to build new tools to help students and families choose the university that is right for them. Our new Uniselect app takes the complexity out of researching university options and puts the student in the driving seat, allowing them to shape their future based on what is important to them. They get results which are clear, unbiased and based on what they want to know.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The UK-wide list of the Complete University Guide “areas of excellence” can be found here
- The team behind Complete University Guide has compiled university league tables for more than 25 years. Since 2007, these have been freely available online.
- “Areas of excellence” are defined universities ranked 40th or lower in the overall UK university league table but who are 10th or above and in the top quintile [or top 20%] for the subject. Areas of Excellence data - Google Sheets
- The Guide is an autonomous division of IDP Education, global leader in education services and technology, from which, by mutual agreement, it retains its complete editorial independence.
- Criteria for inclusion in the main university league table or the subject tables can be seen on our website.
- Uniselect can be accessed at: Uniselect (thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk)
Press & media contacts
CUG and IDP experts are available for broadcast interviews pre-records and on the day of publication.
For more information contact:
Jonah Duffin, Director of External Relations - jonah.duffin@idp.com / 020 7384 6066 / 07961576024
Gareth Snell, Cathod Du Media Agency - gareth@cathoddu.com / 07515164417
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