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University Nottingham

University Nottingham

Nottingham, UKRank #32

The University of Nottingham is a public research university in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It was founded as University College Nottingham in 1881, and was granted a royal charter in 1948. The University of Nottingham belongs to the elite research intensive Russell Group association. Nottingham's main campus (University Park) with Jubilee Campus and teaching hospital (Queen's Medical Centre) are located within the City of Nottingham, with a number of smaller campuses and sites elsewhere in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Outside the UK, the university has campuses in Semenyih, Malaysia, and Ningbo, China. Nottingham is organised into five constituent faculties, within which there are more than 50 schools, departments, institutes and research centres. Nottingham has about 45,500 students and 7,000 staff, and had an income of £694 million in 2020–21, of which £114.9 million was from research grants and contracts.[1] The institution's alumni have been awarded 3 Nobel Prizes, a Fields Medal, a Turner Prize, and a Gabor Medal and Prize. The university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association, the Russell Group, Universitas 21, Universities UK, the Virgo Consortium, and participates in the Sutton Trust Summer School programme as a member of the Sutton 30.

University Rankings

Discover University Nottingham's global and national rankings

#32
Ranking
Recognized globally for excellence in education and research

University of Nottingham Rankings Overview

The University of Nottingham is consistently recognized as one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities and a prominent institution on the global stage. As a founding member of the Russell Group, it excels in teaching, research, and innovation. Rankings provide valuable insights into its academic reputation, employability outcomes, and research impact. This overview draws from reputable sources like QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and UK-specific guides such as The Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide. Data is based on the most recent available assessments (up to 2024), highlighting Nottingham's strengths across various metrics.

Global University Rankings

Nottingham's international standing is impressive, reflecting its diverse student body from over 150 countries and strong global partnerships. The university invests heavily in world-class facilities and interdisciplinary research, contributing to its high rankings worldwide.

Ranking Body Year Global Rank Key Strengths
QS World University Rankings 2024 100 Academic reputation (top 100), employer reputation (top 80), international faculty ratio (top 50)
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 130 Research quality (top 100), industry income (top 150), international outlook (top 100)
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU/Shanghai Ranking) 2023 101-150 Highly cited researchers (top 100), papers in Nature/Science (top 150)
US News Best Global Universities 2023 95 Global research reputation, publications (top 100)

These rankings underscore Nottingham's commitment to excellence. For instance, in the QS 2024 rankings, the university climbed several positions due to improvements in sustainability and international student ratios. THE evaluates 1,800 institutions across 108 countries, placing Nottingham in the 101-125 band for teaching quality. ARWU, known for its focus on research output, highlights Nottingham's contributions to fields like medicine and engineering through bibliometric indicators.

National UK Rankings

Within the UK, Nottingham holds a strong position among the 130+ universities, often ranking in the top 25. National guides emphasize factors like entry standards, student satisfaction, and graduate prospects, making them particularly relevant for prospective UK students.

  • The Complete University Guide 2024: Ranked 23rd overall. Strengths include research quality (17th) and graduate prospects (20th), with an entry standard of 152 UCAS points.
  • The Guardian University Guide 2024: Ranked 24th. It scores highly in value-added measures (18th) and career prospects after six months (top 25), based on National Student Survey data.
  • The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: 26th place. Noted for student satisfaction (top 30) and an overall score of 82.4%.
  • Niche UK University Rankings: Top 20 for campus life and diversity, reflecting its vibrant Nottingham and international campuses in Malaysia and China.

Nottingham's national performance is bolstered by its historical prestige and modern facilities. For example, The Guardian's methodology weights student outcomes heavily, where Nottingham excels due to its 85%+ satisfaction rate in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023. Compared to peers like the University of Bristol or University of Leeds, Nottingham stands out for its balance of research intensity and teaching quality.

Subject-Specific Rankings

The University of Nottingham shines in numerous disciplines, with several departments ranking in the global top 100. This specialization attracts students seeking expertise in high-demand fields. Below is a summary of standout subjects based on QS Subject Rankings 2023 and THE Subject Rankings 2024.

Subject QS Global Rank (2023) THE Global Rank (2024) UK Rank (Complete University Guide 2024)
Medicine 77 76-100 10th
Engineering - Mechanical 51-100 101-125 15th
Law 51-100 76-100 20th
Business and Management 101-150 101-125 18th
Computer Science 101-150 126-150 22nd
Psychology 51-100 101-125 12th
Architecture 51-100 51-75 8th
Pharmacy and Pharmacology 26 51-75 5th

In pharmacy, Nottingham's rank of 26th globally in QS is a testament to its pioneering research in drug delivery and clinical trials. The School of Medicine benefits from affiliations with NHS trusts, enhancing practical training. Engineering programs leverage facilities like the Energy Technologies Building, contributing to top-tier employability rates. Notably, the university has over 20 subjects ranked in the UK top 20, including veterinary medicine (7th nationally) and agriculture (top 10). These rankings are derived from employer surveys, citation impacts, and H-index scores for academic staff.

Pro Tip: Prospective students should cross-reference subject rankings with personal interests, as Nottingham offers flexible joint honors programs that can boost interdisciplinary skills.

Research Excellence and Impact

Nottingham's research prowess is a cornerstone of its rankings. In the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 90% of its research was deemed world-leading or internationally excellent, placing it 8th in the UK for research power. This framework assesses outputs, impact, and environment across 34 units of assessment.

  • Key Research Highlights:
    • Over £150 million in annual research funding from UKRI, EU, and industry partners.
    • Top 100 globally for research citations in Scopus database (2023).
    • Impact case studies include breakthroughs in sustainable agriculture via the Africa Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership and advancements in quantum technologies.
  • Innovation Metrics: Ranked 12th in the UK for spin-out companies (HESA data), with notable ventures like PharmaSeer in AI-driven drug discovery.

The university's global campuses facilitate collaborative research, such as climate change studies between UK, Malaysia, and China sites. In THE's Impact Rankings 2023, Nottingham placed 52nd worldwide for UN Sustainable Development Goals, excelling in partnerships for the goals (top 50).

Employability and Student Experience

Rankings increasingly emphasize graduate outcomes, where Nottingham performs admirably. The university boasts an 85% employability rate within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022), with average starting salaries around £28,000.

  1. QS Employability Rankings 2022: 79th globally, reflecting strong alumni networks including figures like Ruth Lawrence (mathematician) and Vint Cerf (internet pioneer).
  2. Student Satisfaction: NSS 2023 score of 80.5%, ranking top 30 in the UK. Highlights include teaching on my course (82%) and academic support (84%).
  3. Campus Life: Nottingham's University Park campus is ranked among the UK's most beautiful, with facilities like the Lakeside Arts Centre. International students rate it highly for inclusivity (top 20 in QS International Student Barometer).
  4. Diversity and Inclusion: Top 15 in the UK for social mobility (Office for Students data), with targeted scholarships for underrepresented groups.

Employers value Nottingham graduates for their global perspective and practical skills, as evidenced by partnerships with companies like Rolls-Royce and Boots. The university's Careers Service offers personalized support, contributing to its high rankings in graduate prospects.

Sustainability and Future Outlook

Nottingham is committed to sustainability, ranking 25th in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024. Initiatives include carbon-neutral targets by 2030 and the Sustainable Business Research Hub. This forward-thinking approach enhances its appeal in an era where ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors influence rankings.

In summary, the University of Nottingham's rankings affirm its status as a top-tier institution, blending academic rigor with real-world impact. Whether globally or nationally, it offers exceptional opportunities across disciplines. For the latest updates, consult official sources, as rankings evolve annually based on new data.

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