Overview of Teesside University's Rankings

Teesside University, located in Middlesbrough, UK, has established itself as a forward-thinking institution emphasizing practical, industry-relevant education. Its rankings reflect a strong commitment to employability, innovation, and student satisfaction. While not always in the top tier of ancient universities, Teesside excels in applied disciplines and regional impact. This overview draws from reputable sources like the Complete University Guide, The Guardian University Guide, QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, covering data up to 2024. Rankings can fluctuate yearly based on metrics such as teaching quality, research output, student outcomes, and international outlook.

National UK Rankings

In the UK, Teesside University consistently performs well in modern university categories, often ranking among the top for student experience and graduate prospects. National league tables evaluate factors like entry standards, student satisfaction (from the National Student Survey), research quality, and career outcomes.

• Complete University Guide 2024: Teesside ranks 95th overall out of 130 UK universities. It scores highly in graduate prospects (78/100), placing it in the top 50 for employability. The university's focus on work-based learning contributes to 95% of graduates in employment or further study within 15 months.
• The Guardian University Guide 2024: Positioned at 112th out of 121 institutions, but it shines in value-added metrics, ranking 34th for student satisfaction. Guardian emphasizes contextual data, where Teesside's inclusive approach helps underrepresented students succeed.
• Whatuni Student Choice Awards: Teesside has won accolades like 'University of the Year for Teaching Quality' in 2023, highlighting its hands-on teaching methods.

Compared to other post-1992 universities, Teesside often outperforms peers like the University of the West of Scotland or London South Bank University in employability-focused rankings. Its regional ties to industries like digital media and engineering bolster these scores.

Ranking Source	Overall Rank (2024)	Key Strength	Score/Position
Complete University Guide	95th	Graduate Prospects	78/100 (Top 50)
The Guardian	112th	Student Satisfaction	34th
Good University Guide (Sunday Times)	101-120 band	Teaching Quality	High performer

International Rankings

On the global stage, Teesside University is recognized for its niche strengths rather than broad prestige. International rankings assess research impact, citations, faculty qualifications, and global collaborations. Teesside's rankings have improved steadily, driven by investments in research centers like the Digital Innovation Beacon and partnerships with global firms.

• QS World University Rankings 2024: Teesside does not feature in the top 1000 but is noted in subject-specific QS rankings (detailed below). Its employer reputation score benefits from alumni in creative industries worldwide.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024: Ranked 801-1000 out of over 1,900 institutions. This places it in the top 50% globally. THE praises its industry income (from knowledge transfer) at 88.5/100, reflecting strong real-world application of research.
• Shanghai Ranking (ARWU) 2023: Not ranked individually, but Teesside contributes to UK mid-tier performance through specialized outputs in engineering and computing.

Teesside's international student body (over 10% of enrollment) and exchange programs enhance its global profile. It ranks well in employability-focused international metrics, with partnerships in Europe, Asia, and the US aiding mobility.

Trend analysis shows upward movement: From 1001+ in THE 2022 to 801-1000 in 2024, indicating growing research visibility. This progress underscores Teesside's strategy of aligning academia with global challenges like sustainability and digital transformation.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Teesside University truly excels in vocational and creative subjects, where its rankings often surpass overall standings. The university's schools of Computing, Media, and Art & Design are particularly acclaimed for industry accreditation and placement opportunities.

Top-Performing Subjects

1. Animation and Film: Ranked 1st in the UK by The Rookies Awards 2023 for student work. In Complete University Guide 2024, it's top 10 nationally, thanks to the Bauhaus-inspired Teesside Digital Hive.
2. Computing and Information Technology: 45th in Guardian 2024; strong in cybersecurity and AI, with 90% employability. Accredited by BCS (British Computer Society).
3. Business and Management: 72nd in Complete University Guide, excelling in entrepreneurship (top 20 for start-up support via Ignite accelerator).
4. Engineering (General): 64th in Guardian, with civil and mechanical engineering ranking higher due to lab facilities and industry links like TeesAMP (Advanced Manufacturing Park).
5. Health and Social Care: Top 50 in student satisfaction; nursing ranks 33rd in Complete University Guide, supported by NHS partnerships.

In QS Subject Rankings 2023, Teesside features in Art & Design (501-550 globally) and Computer Science (top 500 in some metrics). For media studies, it's among the UK's top 20 per The Guardian.

Subject	UK Rank (2024)	Global Rank	Notable Achievement
Animation	1st (The Rookies)	N/A	Multiple award-winning projects
Computing	45th (Guardian)	Top 500 (QS)	95% graduate employment
Business	72nd (Complete)	N/A	Top 20 for employability
Engineering	64th (Guardian)	N/A	Industry-accredited programs
Nursing	33rd (Complete)	N/A	High NSS satisfaction

These rankings highlight Teesside's pragmatic approach, where subjects integrate work placements—up to 50% of programs include them—leading to superior job outcomes. For instance, animation graduates have landed roles at Pixar and DreamWorks, elevating the university's reputation in creative sectors.

Research Rankings and Impact

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 positioned 74% of Teesside's research as world-leading or internationally excellent, with impacts rated highly in allied health and digital innovation. In REF rankings, it's top 100 for research power in subjects like social work and sports science.

• THE Research Rankings: Teesside scores 45.2/100 in research quality, with strengths in clinical and health sciences.
• Impact Case Studies: Notable for projects like the Visual and Multimedia Centre, influencing policy in digital accessibility, and engineering research aiding net-zero goals in the Tees Valley.

The university's research income has doubled since 2018, funding centers like the Centre for Sustainable Engineering. This has boosted citations per faculty, improving global metrics.

Student Satisfaction and Employability

Student feedback is a cornerstone of Teesside's rankings. The National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 gives it an overall satisfaction score of 80%, above the sector average of 77%. It ranks top 30 in the UK for learning community and academic support.

Employability is exceptional: 96% of graduates are in work or study after 15 months (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022). This is driven by the university's Career Ready program, mandatory internships, and alumni network of 100,000+. In the Global University Employability Ranking 2023, Teesside alumni are valued by employers for practical skills, ranking it well among UK peers.

Comparatively, Teesside outperforms many Russell Group universities in value-for-money rankings (top 20 in The Guardian), making it attractive for domestic and international students seeking career-focused education without elite entry barriers.

Trends and Future Outlook

Teesside's rankings have trended positively, with a 10-15 position climb in national tables over five years. Strategic investments, like the £30 million campus expansion for digital and health facilities, position it for further gains. Sustainability rankings are emerging strengths; it's in the top 50 UK universities for green initiatives per People & Planet 2023.

Challenges include lower research volume compared to research-intensive universities, but Teesside mitigates this through focused excellence. For prospective students, these rankings signal a university where real-world readiness trumps traditional prestige, ideal for careers in dynamic fields.

In summary, Teesside University's rankings underscore its role as a launchpad for professional success, blending affordability, satisfaction, and specialized prowess. Aspiring applicants should review subject-specific data to align with their goals.