The University of Bath’s record for student satisfaction has seen it rise to a record high of fourth out of 116 universities and colleges in the new Guardian University Guide 2015.
The University is ranked first in the UK for overall student satisfaction and equal second for student satisfaction with the teaching provided. It is also ranked third for graduate career prospects behind only Imperial College and Cambridge.
Bath’s strong showing has seen it charge ahead of many of its Russell Group peers and helped the University maintain its position as the highest ranked university in the South West in all national tables.
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “This is excellent news and a wonderful endorsement of the huge collective and individual contribution made by so many people within the close-knit community we have here at Bath.
“Coming top overall for student satisfaction, and second for satisfaction with the teaching provided is particularly pleasing as it reflects how our students see us.
“They clearly appreciate not just the very high quality of teaching we provide but also our support services, our award-winning Students’ Union, and our superb facilities which we continue to invest in. This is supported by a strong student voice where our students are engaged in all our strategic decision-making.”
In terms of Bath’s high ranking for graduate career prospects the Vice-Chancellor added: “Our aim at Bath is to produce graduates who are classic all-rounders – of the highest intellectual calibre and accomplished in other spheres such as competitive sports and the arts.
“We’re putting a lot of attention into finding really good placements, which is increasingly difficult to do because of the economic climate.
“Over 60 per cent of our students will go out on a year-long professional placement as part of their degree. This gives them fantastic opportunities to learn about what employers want and for them to make contact with potential employers.”
As well as being overall fourth in the table, the University was also ranked first in the UK for its Sports Science and Sport Social Science degrees in the Guardian subject rankings, and was ranked in the top ten of 12 of the 21 subjects offered at Bath.
The Guardian’s criteria for judging a university include:
- Satisfaction of final-year students with teaching, feedback & assessment and the overall experience;
- How much the University spends per student;
- The student/staff ratio;
- The career prospects of graduates;
- A value added score;
- The grades pupils have to achieve to stand a chance of being offered a place.
