News

Durham in the Times and Guardian University League Tables

(25 May 2004)

Durham moves up from 10th to 8th in the Times University League Table and comes 12th in the new-style Guardian Table.

Having consistently moved higher in the Times table over the past four years, Durham has moved up from 15th in 2001. This year's improvements are in Library/Computer spend, a slightly better staff/student ratio and the number of Firsts/2:1 Degrees awarded. The table relates to data produced mainly from 2001-02.

The new Guardian table bases its data on factors relating to undergraduate teaching including spend on library and IT facilities. The Guardian uses its own calculations of a value-added rating (based on taking low-grade entrants and converting them to high grade outputs) and a new Inclusiveness score, based on admissions from under-represented groups: mature students, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Direct comparisons between previous tables are not valid as the methodology has been adjusted year on year.

In their separate subject listings, The Times puts Durham at No1 for Physics & Astronomy and also for Geography; with History 2; Chemistry, English, Law, Organismal Bioscience 3; Archaeology, French and Theology 4 . The Guardian's reckonings place Theology at 3, French/Spanish/German 4, and Anthropology, Geography and Physics 5.

The Guardian
The Times