Dundee is Scottish University of the Year – again!
Published On Fri 23 Sep 2016 by Grant Hill
The University of Dundee has been named Scottish University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for a second consecutive year.
Dundee has been hailed for excellent teaching quality and student experience, being placed in the top ten in the UK for both key measures in the Good University Guide analysis. The Guide also noted the strength of research at the University and the institution’s economic, social and cultural impact.
“Dundee proves it is possible to be both an outstanding teaching university and one at the cutting edge in research work - and for this it earned a shortlisting for the UK University of the Year title also.”
Dundee’s success follows another sharp rise in its overall ranking in the Good University Guide’s league table, to be published in The Sunday Times this weekend (September 25th) with Dundee featured on the cover. The University rises nine places to 28th in the UK rankings, and is second in Scotland.
Alastair McCall, editor of The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, said, “It is highly unusual for a university to retain any University of the Year award such is the competition now in the higher education sector to be the best. The University of Dundee achieved this feat in some style, however.
“The ratings it receives in the annual National Student Survey speak volumes about the quality of the teaching students receive and the wider university experience they benefit from. Dundee proves it is possible to be both an outstanding teaching university and one at the cutting edge in research work - and for this it earned a shortlisting for the UK University of the Year title also.
“To now stand second in Scotland in our rankings ahead of big city rivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh is testimony to the outstanding quality of education on offer here, something of which the university should be rightly proud as it celebrates its 50th birthday in 2017.”
The award comes on the back of a run of successes for the University. In the past week alone Dundee was also named in the Top 200 World Universities by Times Higher Education (the only Scottish institution to rise in the table) and 15th (top in the UK) among the world’s universities under 50 years old in the QS World University Rankings.
The University is focused on an ambitious transformation vision through which it aspires to be Scotland’s leading university, transforming lives locally and globally through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge, and by delivering excellence in teaching and research. Being named as Scottish University of the Year in successive years demonstrates that Dundee is well on the way to achieving its goal.
The relationship with Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) ensures students are represented at every level of the University’s decision-making structure and are full members of panels for all senior management appointments, a unique arrangement in the UK higher education sector.
Indre Urbanaviciute, President of Dundee University Students’ Association, said, “Being named Scottish University of the Year again is yet another illustration of what can be achieved when the University has the students at the very heart of everything it does, and works in partnership with the student body and representatives.
“This is a very exciting time for the city and the University, bringing changes and opportunities. The importance of working together has never been higher and we pledge to build on these strong foundations, to the benefit of all students.”
Dundee is one of the top UK universities for graduate employment, according to this year’s Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, which showed 96.2% of Dundee graduates were in work or further study six months after graduation.
Employability and enterprise are embedded into the curriculum. The University has also made the most progress of any university in Scotland on widening access in the last few years.
Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, “Our ambition is to become Scotland’s leading university in all the fields in which we work. Being named Scottish University of the Year for a second consecutive year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide is something all staff and students can take pride in.
“This is testament to the great efforts of our staff and students in making Dundee a place where people can transform their own lives and those of others. Our record in recent years on student experience is remarkable and we are now ranking among the best in the UK for teaching quality and graduate employment.
“Our economic, social and cultural impact also extends far beyond the campus. We generate £740million a year for the Scottish economy and support more than 8000 jobs. This is an exciting time to be at the University, as our new students arriving in the city this month are already finding, and we are delighted that we can celebrate being Scottish University of the Year in our 50th anniversary year in 2017.”
The Sunday Times and The Times Good University Guide is published this weekend in the Sunday Times.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk