The recently released Complete University Guide and QS 2025 rankings.
What’s the Difference Between Complete University Guide and QS Rankings?
The Complete University Guide (CUG) and QS World University Rankings (QS) are two prominent university ranking systems, but they differ in methodology, focus, and geographical scope. Below are the differences highlight how each ranking system caters to different needs and perspectives, making them useful for different types of decision-making processes in higher education.
Complete University Guide (CUG)
- Scope and Focus:
- Geographical Focus: Primarily focuses on universities in the United Kingdom.
- Target Audience: Designed mainly for prospective students in the UK, providing a comprehensive guide for choosing universities within the country.
- Ranking Methodology:
- Criteria: Includes a range of criteria such as entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, and more.
- Data Sources: Utilizes data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the National Student Survey (NSS), and the Research Excellence Framework (REF), among others.
- Weighting: Each criterion is given a specific weight, with a strong emphasis on factors directly affecting student experience and outcomes.
- Subject Rankings: Offers detailed subject-specific rankings, allowing students to see the best universities for their chosen field of study.
- Publication:
- Frequency: Published annually, providing updated rankings and insights each year.
QS World University Rankings (QS)
- Scope and Focus:
- Geographical Focus: Global, covering universities worldwide.
- Target Audience: Aims at a global audience including students, academics, and employers, helping to compare universities internationally.
- Ranking Methodology:
- Criteria: Includes academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio.
- Data Sources: Combines surveys (for academic and employer reputation), data from universities, and bibliometric data for citations.
- Weighting: Reputation surveys (academic and employer) have significant weight, making up a combined 50% of the score, reflecting the perceived quality and global impact of universities.
- Publication:
- Frequency: Published annually, with updates and refinements to its methodology each year. Also provides regional and subject-specific rankings.
Key Differences
- Geographical Scope:
- CUG: UK-focused.
- QS: Global.
- Audience:
- CUG: UK students and stakeholders.
- QS: International students, academics, and employers.
- Methodological Emphasis:
- CUG: Emphasis on factors affecting UK students directly, such as student satisfaction and graduate prospects.
- QS: Heavy emphasis on academic and employer reputation, reflecting global perceptions of universities.
- Data Sources:
- CUG: Relies on UK-specific data sources.
- QS: Uses global surveys and bibliometric data.
- Criteria Weighting:
- CUG: More balanced across various student-related metrics.
- QS: Significant weight on reputational surveys.
Summary
- Both CUG and QS rankings have their merits, and students can benefit from considering both. By assessing their individual needs and preferences, students can make informed decisions on university selection.
- Those prioritizing student experience may lean towards the CUG Ranking, while those valuing academic reputation may find the QS Ranking more relevant.
What is the Methodology of Complete University Guide Rankings 2025?
The Complete University Guide Rankings 2025 have implemented an enhanced assessment system, encompassing 10 key metrics carefully selected to offer a comprehensive evaluation of a university’s overall strength and its impact on student experience. These metrics include factors such as undergraduate entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, research intensity, job prospects, student-to-faculty ratio, academic investment per capita, facilities investment per capita, and first-year dropout rate.
The metrics focus on tangible aspects of student life and academic support. By incorporating these indicators, the CUG rankings aim to provide a more holistic understanding of what students can expect from their university experience. This ensures that prospective students receive more valuable insights into the quality of education and resources available when considering studying in the UK.
Complete University Guide Rankings 2025 on a Quick Look
1. Oxbridge maintains its dominance.
After Cambridge’s return to the top spot in the UK last year, it maintains its reign as No.1 on Complete University Guide Rankings 2025, with Oxford following closely at No.2. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, as the UK’s leading institutions, firmly secure the top two spots on the list, underscoring their unparalleled strength.
2. Imperial College London returns to the top 5.
Both LSE and St Andrews, not traditionally dominant in the QS World University Rankings, secure the third and fourth positions in the CUG 2025 rankings. Additionally, Imperial College, which slipped out of the top five last year, has made a notable comeback.
3. Unexpected contenders shake up the rankings.
In Complete University Guide Rankings 2025, the University of Warwick has notably ascended to the top 10, marking a significant advancement, while Lancaster University has experienced a decline in its ranking. Similarly, the University of Liverpool has made impressive strides, climbing six places to secure a position within the coveted top 20.
The most unexpected twist comes from the remarkable rise of several underdog institutions. Newcastle University, City University of London, Heriot-Watt University, and the Ulster University have all made substantial leaps forward, showcasing their impressive momentum and untapped potential.
4. Shift in student satisfaction rankings for G5 universities.
Student satisfaction, gauging students’ contentment with teaching quality, is derived from data collected through the British NSS questionnaire. Interestingly, none of the Oxbridge or G5 universities secured spots in the Top 10. Bishop Grosseteste University, a church college, claims the top spot this year, with last year’s winner, the University of St Andrews, slipping to second place.
5. Imperial College London leads in graduate prospects.
Graduate Prospects measures graduates’ employability and further study opportunities 15 months after graduation. Imperial College London takes the lead in the UK, showcasing its prowess alongside the giants of science and technology. Cambridge follows closely in second place, with Oxford trailing in fourth, and the London School of Economics surpassing University College London to claim fifth place.
Top 100 Universities in UK According to Complete University Guide 2025: Overall Rankings
Here are some of the top universities in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2025’s overall rankings.
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Top 100 Universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025)
| Ranking | Institution |
| 1 | University of Cambridge |
| 2 | University of Oxford |
| 3 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
| 4 | University of St Andrews |
| 5 | Imperial College London |
| 6 | Durham University |
| 7 | Loughborough University |
| 8 | University of Bath |
| 9 | UCL (University College London) |
| 10 | University of Warwick |
| 11 | Lancaster University |
| 12 | University of Birmingham |
| 13 | University of Surrey |
| 14 | University of Exeter |
| 15 | The University of Edinburgh |
| 16 | University of Bristol |
| 17 | University of York |
| 18 | University of Sheffield |
| 19 | University of Liverpool |
| 20 | University of Southampton |
| 21 | University of East Anglia UEA |
| 22 | University of Manchester |
| 23 | University of Leeds |
| 24 | King’s College London, University of London |
| 25 | Queen’s University Belfast |
| 26 | Newcastle University |
| 27 | Cardiff University |
| 28 | University of the Arts London |
| 29 | University of Glasgow |
| 30 | University of Nottingham |
| 31 | University of Essex |
| 32 | Harper Adams University |
| 33 | University of Strathclyde |
| 34 | Northumbria University, Newcastle |
| 35 | University of Reading |
| 36 | University of Leicester |
| 37 | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| 38 | City, University of London |
| 39 | Swansea University |
| 40 | University of Aberdeen |
| 40 | Heriot-Watt University |
| 42 | Ulster University |
| 43 | Aston University, Birmingham |
| 44 | Aberystwyth University |
| 45 | Nottingham Trent University |
| 46 | Oxford Brookes University |
| 47 | University of Sussex |
| 48 | University of Lincoln |
| 49 | University of Portsmouth |
| 50 | Queen Mary University of London |
| 51 | University of Kent |
| 52 | University of Dundee |
| 52 | Goldsmiths, University of London |
| 54 | University of Stirling |
| 55 | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| 56 | Bournemouth University |
| 57 | University of West London |
| 58 | University of Suffolk |
| 59 | University of Chester |
| 60 | Edge Hill University |
| 61 | Keele University |
| 61 | Falmouth University |
| 63 | Cardiff Metropolitan University |
| 64 | Sheffield Hallam University |
| 64 | University of Plymouth |
| 64 | St George’s, University of London |
| 67 | University of Huddersfield |
| 68 | SOAS University of London |
| 68 | Coventry University |
| 70 | University of Brighton |
| 70 | St Mary’s University, Twickenham |
| 72 | University of Sunderland |
| 73 | University of Salford |
| 74 | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| 75 | Bangor University |
| 76 | Norwich University of the Arts |
| 76 | University of Hull |
| 78 | Leeds Beckett University |
| 78 | Bristol, University of the West of England |
| 80 | Brunel University London |
| 81 | Liverpool John Moores University |
| 82 | University of Chichester |
| 83 | Liverpool Hope University |
| 84 | University of Hertfordshire |
| 85 | University for the Creative Arts |
| 86 | Edinburgh Napier University |
| 87 | Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh |
| 88 | Kingston University |
| 89 | Arts University Bournemouth |
| 90 | University of Derby |
| 91 | University of Gloucestershire |
| 92 | University of Central Lancashire |
| 93 | Birmingham City University |
| 94 | University of South Wales |
| 94 | Robert Gordon University |
| 96 | University of Worcester |
| 96 | Staffordshire University |
| 98 | York St John University |
| 99 | Abertay University |
| 100 | Teesside University, Middlesbrough |
| 100 | Solent University (Southampton) |
Best Universities in UK According to Complete University Guide 2025: Specific Rankings
The Complete University Guide 2025 not only presents the overall rankings of universities but also provides detailed scores for each metric, highlighting the strengths of each institution. Moreover, it offers valuable data such as student-teacher ratio and freshman dropout rates, aiding students in selecting the university that aligns with their interests and requirements.
UK Universities with Highest Entry Standards
Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford, LSE, and UCL stand out among UK universities for their exceptionally high entry standards. These institutions uphold rigorous academic criteria, fostering an environment that challenges and inspires students to achieve their full potential.
UK Universities with Highest Research Quality
Imperial, LSE, Cambridge, Bristol, and UCL are ranked high for their outstanding research quality, offering a fertile environment for academic inquiry.
UK Universities with Best Graduate Prospect
The Complete University Guide 2025 highlights the top five universities with the best job prospects: Imperial, Cambridge, St George’s College, Oxford, and LSE. These institutions pave the path for graduates by providing diverse career opportunities.
Conclusion
Here’s our introduction to the recently released Complete University Guide 2025 rankings. We hope it helps you choose the best university in the UK for your studies and enjoy your student life.
