It used to be, but for a simple answer to your question, go on the Complete University Guide/Sunday Times. 5th last year, top 10 this year and for several subjects like Maths, Psychology, Business we're top 5. I turned down the so called "top unis" Bristol and UCL to go here because their maths course had visibly less content (and buildings, students, etc) but people still seem shocked at my decision, even though Bath was the highest ranked!
There's a thing as "prestige", which is just the ideas people have in their head over which unis must be eternally good because they're old and well known, and then there's reality as to which ones actually offer the best education and employment. Look at the lague table and go see for yourself.