University

13 Sep 09

Oxford has come top in the Sunday Times’ ranking of British universities. The newspaper’s University Guide, published today, also named Oxford as its ‘University of the Year’.

The result means that for the first time Oxford now tops all the league tables for this year, having been listed first in those published by the Times, Guardian, and Independent.

The Sunday Times’ looked at criteria such as staff-student ratios, graduate employment and bursaries in ranking higher education institutions. The quality of Oxford’s research and a strong all-round performance in student satisfaction scores, in particular, gave Oxford the edge. In its profile of the University, the paper said 'Quality is assured... Research underpins all teaching here; students have exposure through lectures and the tutorial system to the leading minds in their chosen subject'. It described facilities for both work and play as 'outstanding'.

 Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Dr John Hood, said: ‘I’m delighted that Oxford has come top in the Sunday Times’ university guide. To be recognised as the best university reflects the dedication and achievements of staff and students right across the University and the colleges.’

The result comes on top of the news that the University of Oxford came top of the table for RAE funding, with £118.9m for 2009–10, higher than any other university. Figures released by HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency) earlier this year also showed that Oxford received more external research income (research grants and contracts) than any other UK university in 2007–08 with £285.3m, up 14.9% from the previous year.