Guardian ranking means Exeter now top 10 in all UK league tables

Exeter is now in the top 10 of all the main UK higher education league tables – the first time such an accolade has been achieved - as well as being ranked in the top one per cent of institutions globally.

The latest league table ranks Exeter ninth out of 119 UK higher education institutions. The guide is accompanied by rankings showing how universities perform across the main subject areas. Universities are ranked according to a number of factors, including how happy students are with their courses, based on the National Student Survey.

University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Sir Steve Smith said: “To be in the top 10 of all the UK higher education league tables is an extraordinary achievement, and one that we can all be truly proud of. It is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and students, and cements Exeter’s position as one of the very best universities in the country.”

The University of Exeter also enjoyed considerable success in the individual subject league tables in the latest Guardian University Guide – with 16 ranked in the top 10, of which 7 are based in the College of Humanities.

Full rankings for all subjects can be viewed on The Guardian University Guide 2016 website.

Theology (2), Classics and Ancient History (3) and History (4) all featured in the top 5.

Meanwhile English (7), Archaeology (7), Media and Film Studies (9) and Modern Languages (10) all made the top 10 list. Drama also maintained their strong position in the Drama and Dance category (12).

Professor Andrew Thorpe, Dean of the College of Humanities said of the achievement: ‘This is a terrific result for the University as a whole, but the results for the Humanities are especially impressive. They are a clear reflection of the quality and commitment of our staff and students. By any measure, Exeter is one of a very small number of truly outstanding UK universities for the Humanities.’

The Guardian league table announcement follows recent success in the QS University World Rankings by Subject and the Complete University Guide 2016 published last month.