University rankings

One of the best rankings in the UK, in my opinion, is https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2019/graduate_market/GMReport19.pdf page 31 These universities there are most targeted by the employers. Don't spend too much on the international rankings as they mean nothing unless you want to study abroad and then come back to England. Then you might use it as a source of comparison etc. However, if you plan on staying in the UK after your graduation then focus on getting in one of the universities listed in HF report

Sam stated that he believes average tariff points identifies where the “smartest” students study. Tariff points don’t make allowances for subject or subject mix. An A* in general studies attracts more tariff points than an A in further maths.

Tariff points don’t measure “smartness”. That isn’t their purpose.

Sam stated that he believes average tariff points identifies where the “smartest” students study. Tariff points don’t make allowances for subject or subject mix. An A* in general studies attracts more tariff points than an A in further maths.

Tariff points don’t measure “smartness”. That isn’t their purpose.

which rankings are better world rankings (eg QS) or national rankings (eg CUG).

What is the difference between the way these two rankings work? Why is a university, such as UCL, ranked 8th globally on QS ranked 10th in the UK league tables? And why are universities ranked highly in the UK (eg Bath) not higher up in the QS rankings?

I’m applying to university this year and recently started looking at rankings, I’m not entirely sure how they work. I know that I shouldn’t apply based on reputation& rankings etc etc but I just wanted to see what the top universities are

Tables are just one of many things to consider. This one you've quoted is IMO of less use than the other more publicised ones. Just because large employers near to large Uni's go to them is no proof they're better for students. Would you seriously pick any of that list ahead of St. Andrews? I guess you would. That is your choice....

which rankings are better world rankings (eg QS) or national rankings (eg CUG).

What is the difference between the way these two rankings work? Why is a university, such as UCL, ranked 8th globally on QS ranked 10th in the UK league tables? And why are universities ranked highly in the UK (eg Bath) not higher up in the QS rankings?

I’m applying to university this year and recently started looking at rankings, I’m not entirely sure how they work. I know that I shouldn’t apply based on reputation& rankings etc etc but I just wanted to see what the top universities are

QS is generally considered to be the most reliable.

QS is generally considered to be the most reliable.

I dont really regard any that well tbh, i think the international rankings generally are slightly better.

a3 rankings are actually compiled by academics and aren't used to milk ad revenue so id recommend these over any other ranking but I have a personal opinion which I put more weight on then any other ranking.

mnot rankings:
God tier: Oxford, Cambridge
Elite: Imperial, UCL, LSE, Warwick, Durham
Premium: Bristol, Notts, Manchester, Leeds, Kings a few others..
Good: Bath, Loughborough, rest of RG...
Everyone else...

Says who? You? They?

QS gives an accurate representation of universities as a whole; the main criteria they assess is student satisfaction, in addition to teaching and research. Most other ranking systems do not take all of these variables into account, or their more complex aspects for each university around the world. Plus, a lot of employers use them, particularly in academia (STEM) and other research fields. Thus, I would say it's quite useful for looking from undergraduate to PhD level courses as the rankings are quite consistent, whereas other league tables (particularly national ones) only look at aspects relevant to undergraduate study, do not put their universities into perspective when compared to others around the world, and often change rankings yearly for seemingly arbitrary reasons. But as others said, it depends on what metrics you want to compare universities about.

I am registered on the QS reputation survey. It isn’t reliable.

Ok says you... well done if you think employers are using these

In academia it is the basis of most international students and employers to chose which university to do their PhD in, or take students from etc; particularly STEM students. I mean reliable in the sense that it is a useful tool to gauge the reputation of the university in question, especially for graduate studies.

QS gives an accurate representation of universities as a whole; the main criteria they assess is student satisfaction, in addition to teaching and research. Most other ranking systems do not take all of these variables into account, or their more complex aspects for each university around the world. Plus, a lot of employers use them, particularly in academia (STEM) and other research fields. Thus, I would say it's quite useful for looking from undergraduate to PhD level courses as the rankings are quite consistent, whereas other league tables (particularly national ones) only look at aspects relevant to undergraduate study, do not put their universities into perspective when compared to others around the world, and often change rankings yearly for seemingly arbitrary reasons. But as others said, it depends on what metrics you want to compare universities about.

They do, particularly in the US, Japan, China, pretty much everywhere outside the U.K. These countries give scholarships for their students to study at universities in other countries literally based on QS ranking.

whereas other league tables (particularly national ones) only look at aspects relevant to undergraduate study

Well I wouldn’t choose st Andrews for one and only reason it is in the middle of nowhere I’d rather go to uni of Edinburgh... what other more publicised one you mean the guardian and cug?

You see that's an issue that wrecks your opinion about things like Highfliers league tables. Employers think exactly the same as you. Why would they go up there? Nothing to do with whether the ungrads are more or less able than in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol!
Re tables, I think most others that are freely available.

Tell me then what is so special about st Andrews?