Top 10 UK and best in the South West - University of Exeter subjects on the rise in Complete University Guide 2016

Exeter has been ranked 10^th out of 126 UK universities - for the third consecutive year – in the Complete University Guide 2016, published recently. The top-ten position means Exeter is also the leading university in the South West.

The University also enjoyed significant success across the subject rankings, with both Sports Science and Drama ranked as number 1, the very best in the UK.

Overall, nearly 80% (29) of our subjects were ranked within the top 10, with 11 of these excelling by ranking in the top 5, including Classics at number three and Archaeology in fourth place. Only the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge achieved more top 10 subject rankings.

Both the Colleges of Humanities, and Life and Environmental Sciences enjoyed considerable success with every one of their subjects ranking in the top 10. 

Furthermore, 27 subject areas showed year-on-year improvements, with significant risers including Medicine which improved from 27 to 15 in the UK, Engineering which went from 25 to 15 and Biosciences from 16 to number nine.

Professor Nick Kaye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) said: “These are an exceptional set of results which shows the University’s positive progression in many subject areas. Whilst league tables are only part of the picture, prospective students can feel confident they will be getting an outstanding education by choosing to come to one of the UK’s best institutions.”

Professor Andrew Thorpe, Dean of the College of Humanities added: “It’s great to see Exeter Humanities making such a strong showing in the CUG tables. With all of our disciplines in the Top Ten, we can truly show that we have strength across the board.

“The results show that we have a very high-performing College, and I am confident that these results will form part of a much larger picture of excellence and innovation that will continue to take us forward.”

Professor Dan Charman, Dean of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences said: “We are delighted that all of the subjects in the College are now top-ten in the league tables, reflecting the top quality of the student experience right across our degree programmes.

“We are especially proud that to have achieved the number one position for Sports Science showing we are the very best University in the country for the subject. Our success across the board is a result of our continued focus on giving students the very best experience within a vibrant research environment delivered by excellent staff.”

The Complete University Guide is compiled and published independently.