How others see us

In the formal assessment of our physics teaching quality carried out in the mid nineties we gained a rating of "excellent", the highest grade.  The same report also commented on the outstanding" environment in which our students learn.  A new inspection was held in 2003, though it does not come out with a final grade. However, we were pleased to see many comments in the report which were similar to or better than those from the earlier inspection.

In the most recent (2001) assessment of our research activity, we were given a grade 5, a rating which pays tribute to the School's internationally significant research work.  For that exercise, our research was grouped into three areas.

The Sunday Times awarded St Andrews the title of "UK University of the Year" for 2002-3.  In their 2006 guide St Andrews was named as the "Scottish University of the Year" and was shortlisted for the UK University of the year.

In 2003 and 2004 two national newspapers each rated our School to be the top physics department in Scotland and amongst the top few in the UK. Similar tables in recent years have us bouncing around a bit, but at the time of writing (August 2007) our School is top in Scotland and 5th in the UK in The Good University Guide reported in the Daily Telegraph, and again top in Scotland and 5th in the UK in the Times Newspaper league tables. We suggest taking all such league tables with a pinch of salt, but we are nevertheless pleased to see our high ratings.

In 2006 this University entered the National Student Survey, and was ranked third in the UK for student satisfaction, behind Buckingham and the Open University.

The overall message that I take from the various tables is that St Andrews is a highly respected University, where students feel that they matter, and that our School is very well regarded for its high-quality teaching and research.

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Last updated BDS 8.07