?Most improved? university in Independent rankings
The University of Hertfordshire is the most improved University in The Complete University Guide league tables, published today in the Independent newspaper.
Placed 54 out of 113 universities, Hertfordshire is ranked second of all the new universities in the UK. The Independent comments that Hertfordshire is “proving that ‘new’ universities can out perform ‘old’ ones”.
The league table reveals that Hertfordshire has spent more money on facilities than any other University. Much of this investment has gone towards enhancing the student and community experience with spending on sports facilities, which are open to students, staff and the community. Other funds have been spent on the Uno bus service and student parking, wardens for student halls of residence and on-campus security.
Investment has also been made on the University’s careers guidance services, with the opening of Graduate Futures last month (13 March 2008). This unique network offering employment and career development support to graduates throughout their lifetime is based in the University’s new business hub on the Hatfield Business Park.
The Good University Guide judges institutions on nine measures: student satisfaction, research assessment, entry standards, degree results, completion rates, job prospects, the student/staff ratio, spending on academic services such as libraries, and spending on facilities such as careers and health services.
Professor Tim Wilson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire said: “We are delighted with this result. We are proud to be an ambitious institution that is known for putting the experience of our students first and this good position in the sector highlights our achievements.”
The league table is compiled by Bernard Kingston, the stalwart of university league tables, in association with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The full details are published in today’s Independent newspaper or can be found online: www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk