“One of the best in Britain”
8 October 2012
Cardiff has gained further recognition as one of the UK's top 20 universities and is short listed for the University of the Year title in The Sunday Times University Guide 2013. It also comfortably retained its position as the top university in Wales.
The Guide makes particular reference to the strong employability of Cardiff graduates, noting: "this powerhouse of academic and research excellence boasts one of the best graduate employment rates in Britain. Students don't just get any old job either - most secure degree-level posts with decent starting salaries."
Head of Undergraduate Recruitment, David Roylance said: "It's pleasing that Cardiff has once again been recognised as one of the UK's leading universities – especially as we also recorded our highest ever level of overall student satisfaction in the latest National Student Survey (NSS)."
"Public recognition of our achievements is always welcome but we are far from complacent. We continue to work to ensure a high quality experience for all our students."
The annual guide provides students and parents with a reference point on the path to finding a university place.
Its "league table" is drawn up from criteria including student satisfaction, teaching and research quality, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, graduate unemployment levels and retention rates.
Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times University Guide, said: "Our league table rewards those universities which have placed great focus on providing top quality teaching, with prompt and useful feedback on students' work and assessment.
"If a university provides a great student experience, can offer good graduate job prospects, plus a strong track record for degree completion and outcomes, good rankings and students will follow."
The Sunday Times University Guide 2013 is compiled using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) for the academic year 2010-11, the 2012 National Student Survey, the national funding councils, and from 126 universities.