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Aberdeen University achieves highest-ever ranking in Guardian University Guide

Aberdeen University has been ranked 13th in the Guardian's league table.
Picture by Kami Thomson.
Aberdeen University has been ranked 13th in the Guardian's league table. Picture by Kami Thomson.

Aberdeen University has been ranked the 13th top university in the UK – its highest-ever ranking in the Guardian University Guide.

The university came 13th out of 121 institutions, a seven-place rise from last year making it the biggest climber in the top 20.

St Andrews took the top spot for the first time, moving ahead of Oxford and Cambridge. It is the only Scottish university in the top 10.

Aberdeen’s success follows a strong performance in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 last week.

Aberdeen University was ranked in the top five Scottish universities this year based on teaching quality and student experience. It also moved up one place to 19th in the UK.

Unlike other national league tables, the Guardian University Guide focuses exclusively on teaching and student-facing metrics.

A photo of Aberdeen University campus. Aberdeen University psychology students are worried course changes will affect their careers.
The university was ranked in the top five Scottish universities in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Picture by Kami Thomson.

The 2023 guide reflects Aberdeen University’s outstanding results in the National Student Survey (NSS). The university was ranked fourth in the UK for satisfaction with teaching and third for satisfaction with the course.

It also ranked ninth in the UK for the average entry tariff of its students and equal first for the value added score – which looks at the probability of a student being awarded a good honours classification.

In the subject league tables, Aberdeen University held second spot in the UK for medicine for the fourth year in a row. It was also ranked second for accountancy and finance.

Additionally, it was ranked third for chemical engineering and fourth for international relations.

A further six subjects were ranked in the top 10, with 10 more subjects in the top 20.

The Robert Gordon University was ranked 93rd place in the UK, despite NSS reporting high satisfaction with the course and teaching.

‘Testament to the hard work of our staff and students’

Senior vice-principal of Aberdeen University, Professor Karl Leydecker, said the institution has made “impressive progress” with its seven-place rise from last year.

He said: “This is a very positive sign for the university, particularly following so closely behind the rise in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 – from 20th to 19th.

“Our standing is now firmly cemented in the top 20 for both which is testament to the hard work of our staff and students.

“Our league table success follows a strong performance in the 2022 National Student Survey where we ranked 4th in the UK for overall student satisfaction, reflecting our absolute commitment to delivering an excellent education and student experience.”

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