Knowing how to compare university rankings can be complicated, especially when comparing UK universities with global universities. As prospective students (UK and international students) continue to rely on university rankings, it’s a good idea to understand how different rankings work and how they differ before making a decision on where you will study your degree course.
Understanding University Rankings
What are University rankings?
University rankings are evaluative lists that seek to compare universities according to a variety of considered criteria. Many university rankings allow comparisons between both UK and international universities, providing an overview of the institutional effectiveness across various subject areas and helping students to discover possible uni options. Key aspects, are the following:
| Ranking Example | Factors Assessed |
| QS World University Rankings | Academic reputation, research output, citations per faculty, employer reputation, and internationalization. |
The Role of Rankings When Deciding On a University
For a lot of prospective students, university rankings can be an important factor when deciding on a university. They can have a significant impact on students’ notions of academic quality and employability. For international students, having a high ranking can reflect on an institution’s position in the landscape US higher education; as well as whether the education system is rigorous and UK-based (respectively). For UK students, they can also compare rankings with neighbouring universities to help decide on their UCAS choices and future postgraduate opportunities.
Summary of the Methods Used to Rank
There are different ranking universities in different ways, and with the use of different methodology applied; this can lead to different results. For instance, some rankers would have a greater focus on research outputs and citations, and others would be weighting student-faculty ratio or employer reputation. Knowing how to compare a ranked university in the UK with one in the US requires understanding the variables included in applying the grades and the varying emphasis of different ranks. We could also interrogate the differences between the UK and US systems, to draw meaningful comparisons, but this too is complex given the differences in grading between systems and the different entry and grade course requirements.
UK Universities and Rankings
UK Universities in QS World University Rankings
The QS World University Rankings are powerful in shaping the opinions about universities in the UK, and many UK universities routinely rank amongst the very best in the world. The ratings are based on strong rankings in research, teaching, and international outlook. For international students, seeing a UK institution rank highly in the QS world university rankings may be more appealing, while UK students will see that their national university system is of high quality and help with UCAS choices. A good number of ranked UK universities typically rank well across different subject areas.
A Comparative of UK University League Tables
In the UK, university league tables offer a more granular way of understanding university performance. Tables from The Guardian (#1) or the Times (#2), for example, have metrics of student satisfaction, teaching quality, or student and graduate prospects, when compared against a host of other UK league tables that do include other measures of university metrics. So, in comparison to league tables from world rankings like the QS world university rankings, league tables from UK sources can reveal how UK universities perform on very different metrics. This can provide prospective UK students and international students with a fuller picture when they discover uni choices.
Factors that Flutter UK University Rankings
The ranking of UK universities is influenced by many factors. A good research profile and good faculty is vital for high rankings. The UK education system is rigorously metrograms, which contributes to the strong placing of UK institutions in a number of ranking systems and will consequently influence prospective postgraduate applications. The following shows the most basic factors that affect university ranking:
| Factor | Significance |
| Research Output | Plays a significant role in rankings. |
| Citation Impact | Plays a significant role in rankings. |
Global University Rankings
Major Players in Global University Rankings
There are a number of key players to consider in the increasingly complex area of global university rankings. It is important for potential students, as well as academics, to understand the varying methodologies of each ranking system so that they have an idea of how to compare universities globally. Some key ranking systems are:
| Ranking System | Abbreviation |
| QS World University Rankings | QS |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings | THE |
| Academic Ranking of World Universities | ARWU |
Each of these systems uses different criteria to evaluate universities, resulting in varying rankings for the same institutions, including those who want to compare UK universities.
The Global Standing of American Universities
It is common for American universities to rank very well in many global university rankings, based on research output and academic reputation. The funding, research orientated system, and larger endowments of many US and UK universities helped in the ranking successes they attained. However, it is important to remember when making comparisons between universities in American and UK that the differences in education system, entry requirements, the grading scale, and degree course focus are complementary and lead to rankings producing different overall results, which are significant to individual degree course decisions and future postgraduate opportunities.
Influence of International Rankings on UK Universities
International rankings are a major influence to UK universities. High ranking can raise the volume of applicant inquiries from international students, drive up research funding, and, in general, uphold the standing, reputation and prestige of UK institutions. Low rankings can raise fears about quality of academic institutions and their competitiveness. Thus UK universities are very sensitive to their rankings and therefore attempt to improve their rankings in aspects that increase the ranking score and hence, make their institutions more attractive to both UK students and international students considering beginning a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.
UK Versus International Rankings
Different Criteria and Weightings
The different criteria and weightings in the rankings of UK universities and those of global universities can significantly affect the ranking of a UK university. Global university rankings may put more weight on research output, citations, and international academic staff, while UK university league tables may put more weight on student satisfaction, quality of teaching, and graduate employment rates. All prospective UK students, whether from the UK or internationally, need to consider universities through different metrics to see the whole picture. Adjusting for the different grading scale and methodologies allow prospective UK students and international students to make an informed choice based on their values.
Subject Areas and Rankings
Different subject areas can greatly affect the way universities in the UK rank in various university rankings. A ranked UK university that has a reputation in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas may perform well in a ranking that gives more credit to research and citations that are in STEM, especially if its subject areas in STEM are well known. UK universities that are known for the arts and humanities may do better in rankings that give more credence to student satisfaction and the quality of teaching. Therefore, when reflecting upon university rankings, prospective students in the UK will need to think about how a uni excels in their specific subject area.
Cost of Living Considerations for International Students
For international students looking at UK vs. US universities, one of the biggest considerations is cost of living. Cities like London (Madison, New York, Manchester) where many of the best UK universities are located have higher living expenses than other areas of the UK and other areas of the USA. Generally speaking, the QS world university rankings (and many other worldwide university ranking schemes) cannot account for cost of living – therefore, international students have a responsibility to investigate this factor prior to choosing to study in a place, along with tuition fees, accommodation costs, and weekly expenses, when they are attempting to discover uni.
Choosing the Right University
Mapping up Rankings and Fit
The process of finding the right university will involve holding university rankings alongside individual preferences and priorities. Ultimately, while the QS world university rankings and university league tables offer a picture of an institution’s academic prestige and research output, they do not account for unique things like campus culture and lifestyle, pedagogical practices, or location. Prospective students from the UK and international students alike should consider universities’ not only for their overall statistics, but also for the things which are going to align with their own personal and academic ambitions. In fact, the grading system of a particular degree course, or how difficult it will be to meet the entry requirements, could well determine a candidate’s final decision.
Numerous Universities and Their Unique Incentives
Numerous universities in the UK and elsewhere offer unique programs and opportunities that are not always measured in university rankings. A ranked university could have an incredible program in a particular subject area, innovative facilities, or an innovative study abroad program that makes it unique. Students should be able to understand what makes a university unique through university open days, virtual tours, and alumni networks to gain some understanding of the unique offerings that each UK higher education institution provides. UK students often uncover these unique offerings before submitting their UCAS application.
Last Thoughts about University Rankings
University Rankings can be useful but should not be the only consideration when deciding upon your university degree, or post-graduate option. If you conduct some due diligence and have a good understanding of the QS world university rankings, and other university rankings, their methodologies, and what it all means in relation to your preferences and the programs you are looking at (which considers the strengths of the program being decided about), then you will be in a much better position to make a good decision. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or studying a master’s degree, students should focus on which institution meets their career aspirations through their academic endeavors. Each student will have a different a level of comparison against the American grading scale versus the UK system and hopefully will give them the option of university courses best suited to their needs and capabilities.