Understanding league tables

League tables can be a useful guide in assessing a university’s suitability for your teen when used in conjunction with other considerations. However, one league table may not show the whole picture, so review different types of league tables together.

Birmingham University

National league tables

National league tables are published annually by the Complete University Guide, The Guardian and The Times / Sunday Times. They focus on

full-time student experience and cover a range of factors including student satisfaction, entry standards, facilities and academic services.

Well established universities have had a long time to hone their subject offerings and know how to perform well in league tables. By contrast, new universities do not have this

advantage and whilst they may not appear high-up on the rankings, they may offer new, innovative subjects which can prove more relevant to today’s working environment. A variance of 20-30 places on the league table could indicate as little as a couple of points difference, so bear this in mind when considering where a university is ranked.

Newcastle University

An alternative approach to national league tables:

Subject specific league tables

Don’t miss out on considering subject league tables to see how a university delivers in the specific subject area of interest. This is different from national league tables, which shows how a university performs overall. It’s possible a university may rank low on overall league tables, but be very strong and well-respected in a particular area of study (and vice versa).

If seeking out a professional degree, check for professional accreditation by approved membership bodies.

This is a good indicator of whether the course is highly regarded within industry and whether it’s equally

valued both within the UK and internationally.

The Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF)

A national scheme run by the Office for Students, the TEF rating is decided by an independent panel

with expertise in teaching and learning, of which over a third are student members. Ratings awarded

are gold, silver, bronze (or “requires improvement” for those not awarded a grade) in two categories: student

experience and student outcomes. Participation is voluntary, so not all universities will have TEF ratings. The

latest TEF results were released in 2023.

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To find out more about what you can do to support your child in finding the right university for them, check out our Parents' Guide to University.