University of St Andrews

Why are world university rankings different to UK rankings?

For example on the QS world uni rankings Manchester is 33rd in the world but only 25th in the UK while St Andrews is 5th in the UK but 68th in the world.

Reply 1

whydoidothis?

A university may be known as one of the best in the U.K. but has no global presence.
Besides these rankings are a load of ****.

University of St Andrews

Reply 2

Platopus

Original post by modnar

For example on the QS world uni rankings Manchester is 33rd in the world but only 25th in the UK while St Andrews is 5th in the UK but 68th in the world.

Because there are other universities in the World outside of the U.K. which score above certain UK unis in the world rankings...

Different criteria

Original post by Platopus

Because there are other universities in the World outside of the U.K. which score above certain UK unis in the world rankings...

He knows that lmao

Reply 5

Platopus

Original post by difeo

He knows that lmao

Then why is he asking this question?

Reply 6

difeo

Original post by Platopus

Then why is he asking this question?

You've misunderstood the question. What he's asking is how St Andrews can be way above Manchester in the UK, but way below in the world

Reply 7

TheTechN1304

Because nationally they are ranked on things like student satisfaction, which is why you have the likes of Lancaster and Loughborough in the top 10 lmfao.

Reply 8

modnar

Original post by Platopus

Because there are other universities in the World outside of the U.K. which score above certain UK unis in the world rankings...

I understand that but why are some like universities like Manchester placed so much higher than St Andrews for example in the world rankings while its 20 places below in the UK rankings. Do they use different criteria to measure how good they are or is because some are better known...

Reply 9

Platopus

Original post by difeo

You've misunderstood the question. What he's asking is how St Andrews can be way above Manchester in the UK, but way below in the world

Oh right, my bad. And you are correct, they gave different criteria.

Reply 10

modnar

Original post by Platopus

Oh right, my bad. And you are correct, they gave different criteria.

Haha it's ok, is that the only reason? I just guessed but it still seems strange how they can be placed so differently :colonhash:

Reply 11

Platopus

Original post by modnar

Haha it's ok, is that the only reason? I just guessed but it still seems strange how they can be placed so differently :colonhash:

I think so. Results can vary widely, if you emphasise/exclude different categories. That's why rankings should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Reply 12

monkyvirus

Original post by modnar

Haha it's ok, is that the only reason? I just guessed but it still seems strange how they can be placed so differently :colonhash:

St Andrews is very small and hence generates far less research than somewhere like Manchester. St Andrews has very high student satisfaction which seems to carry more weight in the UK rankings.

RG unis probably have more worldwide name recognition as well and St Andrews isn't in the Russell Group.