Overview of University of Exeter Rankings

The University of Exeter consistently ranks among the top universities in the United Kingdom and globally, recognized for its research excellence, teaching quality, and student experience. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, Exeter attracts students from around the world who seek a blend of academic rigor and vibrant campus life. Its rankings reflect strengths in sustainability, environmental sciences, business, and humanities, with steady improvements over the past decade. This detailed breakdown explores Exeter's performance across various national and international ranking systems, subject-specific achievements, and key metrics like employability and student satisfaction.

Global University Rankings

Internationally, the University of Exeter holds a strong position, often placing in the top 200 universities worldwide. These rankings evaluate institutions based on factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty and student ratios.

QS World University Rankings: In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, Exeter is ranked 169th globally, a notable rise from 163rd in 2023. This improvement highlights the university's growing international profile. Regionally, it stands at 20th in Europe and is particularly praised for its research impact, scoring highly in the citations per faculty metric. Exeter's employer reputation score of 85.7/100 underscores its appeal to global employers.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: The 2024 THE rankings place Exeter at 174th worldwide, up from 184th the previous year. THE assesses universities on teaching (30%), research environment (30%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry income (2.5%). Exeter excels in research quality, with a score of 78.2, driven by impactful publications in climate change and renewable energy. In the UK, it ranks 18th.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as Shanghai Rankings: Exeter appears in the 301-400 band for 2023, reflecting its solid performance in natural sciences and social sciences. While not in the top 200, this ranking emphasizes research output, with Exeter's contributions to global challenges like sustainability boosting its scores.

• Key Global Strengths: Exeter's international student body (over 25% of students) contributes to high scores in internationalization metrics.
• Recent Trends: From 2014 to 2024, Exeter has climbed over 100 places in QS rankings, from 276th to 169th, signaling rapid progress.
• Challenges: Like many UK universities, post-Brexit international recruitment has influenced some metrics, but Exeter's adaptability has maintained its upward trajectory.

National UK University Rankings

Within the UK, Exeter is a top-tier institution, frequently ranking in the top 15-20 universities. National rankings focus on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, and value-added scores.

Complete University Guide 2024: Exeter secures 13th place in the UK, based on nine measures including academic services, student satisfaction, and research intensity. It scores 88% for student satisfaction and 95.7% for graduate prospects, with alumni earning an average of £32,000 six months after graduation.

The Guardian University Guide 2024: Ranked 15th overall, Exeter shines in teaching quality (score of 85/100) and career prospects (90/100). The Guardian emphasizes value-added metrics, where Exeter performs exceptionally, helping students from diverse backgrounds achieve high outcomes.

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: Exeter is placed 17th in the UK, earning a five-star rating for facilities and employability. It ranks highly for its green campus initiatives, aligning with national priorities on sustainability.

Ranking Body	UK Position (2024)	Key Score	Notable Metric
Complete University Guide	13th	88% Student Satisfaction	Graduate Prospects: 95.7%
The Guardian	15th	85/100 Teaching Quality	Career Prospects: 90/100
Times/Sunday Times	17th	Five-Star Employability	Facilities: Top 10 UK

Exeter's national rankings have improved steadily; for instance, it was 23rd in the Complete University Guide a decade ago, demonstrating investment in infrastructure and faculty recruitment.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Exeter excels in several disciplines, often ranking in the global top 100. Its interdisciplinary approach, particularly in environmental and social sciences, drives these high placements.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023:

• Environmental Sciences: 26th globally, 5th in the UK – Exeter's pioneering work in climate modeling and biodiversity earns it this spot.
• Archaeology: 17th globally, 3rd in the UK – Home to the world's first degree in Experimental Archaeology.
• Law: 51-100 globally, 10th in the UK – Strong emphasis on international and human rights law.
• Business and Management: 101-150 globally, 12th in the UK – The Business School holds triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS).
• Psychology: 101-150 globally, 15th in the UK – Research in cognitive and clinical psychology stands out.

THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023:

• Life Sciences: 101-125 globally – Biosciences department leads in genomics and ecology.
• Social Sciences: 126-150 globally – Focus on policy and international relations.
• Business and Economics: 101-125 globally – Innovative programs in entrepreneurship.

In the UK-focused rankings, Exeter's Sports and Exercise Science program ranks 1st in the Complete University Guide 2024, while English Literature is 7th in the Guardian Guide. These subject rankings attract specialized students and funding, with over 30 subjects in the top 10 nationally.

Employability and Student Satisfaction

Rankings increasingly emphasize graduate outcomes, where Exeter performs admirably. In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, it is 201-250 globally, with partnerships like the Exeter Award enhancing skills development. Over 95% of graduates are in employment or further study within six months, per HESA data.

Student satisfaction is another pillar, with Exeter scoring 4.2/5 in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 for overall experience. Campuses in Exeter, Cornwall, and Penryn offer diverse environments, contributing to high retention rates (96%).

1. Employability Initiatives: Careers service provides 1:1 coaching and global internships.
2. Satisfaction Drivers: Small-group teaching and research opportunities from year one.
3. Diversity and Inclusion: Ranked top 10 UK for widening participation, supporting underrepresented groups.

Research and Sustainability Rankings

Exeter's research prowess is evident in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, where 92% of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, placing it 16th in the UK for research power. It leads in sustainability rankings, topping the People & Planet University League 2023 for environmental performance.

Globally, in the UI GreenMetric Rankings 2022, Exeter is 12th worldwide for sustainability, with initiatives like the Environment and Sustainability Institute driving carbon-neutral goals by 2030.

In summary, the University of Exeter's rankings showcase a dynamic institution committed to excellence. Its climb in global tables, subject leadership, and focus on real-world impact make it a compelling choice for prospective students. Whether pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies, Exeter offers pathways to success backed by robust metrics and forward-thinking values.