League table background and inclusion criteria

CONTENTS

1. University league tables

2. Complete University Guide inclusion criteria

3. Benefits of the Complete University Guide rankings

4. Advisory board

5. Calendar for compilation of the league tables

6. Who uses the university league tables?

University league tables

University rankings have their origins in the USA but were first introduced into the UK in 1993. Many were incorporated into newspaper supplements or within paperback guides, and although some are still paper-based, all tables now have a web presence.

Complete University Guide inclusion criteria

Since its start in 2007, the Complete University Guide has been published wholly online and is free to access. Fully independent and autonomous, it is widely respected for its responsiveness to the university community. And for its commitment to providing university applicants with the most complete, accurate, and relevant information about the courses that best fit their needs.

Inclusion in the league tables

To be eligible for our overall University League Table, any of the 74 subject tables, or our specialist Performing Arts Table, a higher education provider must: 

• Provide sufficient data to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency)
• Offer full-time first degree (undergraduate) courses
• Appear as a recognised provider in the official register of the OfS or other national body

As well as this, further criteria determine the tables a provider qualifies for.

Overall University League Table

• It must be a multi-subject provider that appears or expects to appear in at least three of our subject tables
• It must be permitted to use the word ‘university’ in its title
• It must have the power to award its own degrees

Subject league tables

• It must have data for the relevant subject
• It must have the power to award its own degrees

Performing Arts Table

• It must not be eligible to be included in the overall university ranking
• At least 50% of the intake to first degree courses must be in the following subjects:
  • CAH25-01-04 cinematics & photography
  • CAH25-02-01 performing arts (non-specific)
  • CAH25-02-02 music
  • CAH25-02-03 drama
  • CAH25-02-04 dance

Appearing in the league tables

Even if a provider is eligible for inclusion, whether they appear in the rankings will depend on whether there is sufficient data available. The Complete University Guide data comes from the National Student Survey, HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency), and the Research Excellence Framework.

• All tables include Entry standards, Student satisfaction, Research quality, Continuation, and Graduate prospects (two measures).
• The University League Table and Performing Arts Table also include Research intensity, spending on Academic services and Facilities, and Student–staff ratio.

Therefore, the University League Table and Performing Arts rankings depend on ten measures, and the subject tables are based on six.

Not all measures may have data – or they may not have enough data to meet our thresholds. So, our rules for providers appearing in the table are as follows.

• In the overall University League Table and Performing Arts Table, no more than two measures can be missing (with the two Research and two Spend per student measures each counting as one measure).
• In the subject tables, providers must have Student satisfaction data and at least two measures from Entry standards, Continuation and Graduate prospects.
• In all tables, if Student satisfaction data is missing, then all other measures must be present.

When our league table compilers calculate the rankings, different weighting is given to some of the measures. The overall ranking also takes account of the differing subject mix within providers, where possible. Read more about our methodology in compiling the league tables.

Benefits of the Complete University Guide rankings

The interactive nature of our university league tables enables users to isolate single measures and determine their effect on the ranking of the provider. To do this, click on the table header to sort it by a specific measure. You can also download the data in spreadsheet form for greater comparison across the years.

In addition, the online tables can be viewed by UK country/region and by the mission groups set up by the universities themselves (e.g. Russell Group, MillionPlus). This allows comparison with providers having similar missions or goals or those in the same region.

Breadth of providers

Between our overall University League Table, Performing Arts Table and subject tables, we include nearly all providers in the UK that have taught degree-awarding powers.

The Performing Arts Table includes a number of specialist colleges that don't have degree awarding powers. Those that do have degree awarding powers may also appear in the relevant subject tables (e.g. Drama or Music). Of course, providers in our overall University League Table also offer courses in the performing arts; you can find them in the relevant subject tables.

Advisory board

We gratefully acknowledge the interest and expertise of our advisory board members. These individuals belong to organisations that might be seen as the principal stakeholders in league tables. Most come from within the HE sector, but all are appointed in a personal capacity. Vacancies arise from time to time. If you work for a provider included in our tables or an HE sector organisation and would like to be considered for our advisory board, please contact Corinna Gough.

Calendar for compilation of the league tables

The calendar is broadly the same year on year:

• Autumn – agree the measures and define the specification
• Winter – consult HE institutions to ensure the data we use are accurate
• Spring – compile and publish the tables
• Summer – receive and evaluate feedback

Ad hoc consultations can occur throughout the year.

Who uses the university league tables?

Primarily, we developed the league tables with potential applicants and their mentors in mind. But there's widespread and detailed evidence that they're also extensively used by:

• University administrators
• Heads of departments and admissions tutors
• UK and foreign governments and politicians
• Recruiters of graduates
• Academics planning to move
• Scholarship awarding bodies
• Researchers