Overview of University of Salford Rankings

The University of Salford has established itself as a dynamic and forward-thinking institution in the UK higher education landscape. Located in Greater Manchester, it is renowned for its practical, industry-focused approach to education. Rankings play a crucial role in evaluating universities, considering factors such as teaching quality, research output, student satisfaction, and employability. This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of the University of Salford's rankings across various global, national, and subject-specific categories, drawing from reputable sources like QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), and the Complete University Guide.

Global Rankings

On the international stage, the University of Salford is recognized for its contributions to research and innovation, particularly in media, engineering, and health sciences. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the university is positioned in the 801-850 band globally. This placement highlights its strengths in employer reputation and international student diversity, with over 20,000 students from more than 150 countries.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, Salford ranks between 601-800 worldwide. The THE methodology emphasizes research quality, citations, and international outlook, where Salford scores well due to its partnerships with industry leaders like the BBC and Siemens. Notably, in the 2023 Impact Rankings by THE, which assess universities' contributions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Salford achieved a position in the top 100 globally for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), reflecting its commitment to sustainable practices.

• QS World University Rankings 2024: 801-850
• THE World University Rankings 2024: 601-800
• THE Impact Rankings 2023 (Overall): 301-400
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong) 2023: Not ranked in top 1000, but emerging in select fields

These global rankings underscore Salford's rise in recent years, with a 50-place improvement in QS from 2022 to 2024, driven by enhanced research collaborations and digital transformation initiatives.

National Rankings in the UK

Within the UK, the University of Salford consistently performs as a mid-tier institution, excelling in student experience and graduate outcomes. The Complete University Guide 2024 ranks Salford 82nd out of 130 UK universities. This ranking is based on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects. Salford's score for graduate prospects stands out at 78%, indicating strong employability.

The Guardian University Guide 2024 places Salford at 101st in the UK, praising its value-added score, which measures how well the university supports students from diverse backgrounds to achieve high outcomes. In the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023, Salford achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 82%, above the sector average of 80%, particularly in teaching quality on media and business courses.

According to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Salford is ranked 91st, with commendations for its modern campus facilities and industry links. The university's position in the UK has improved steadily, climbing 10 spots in the Complete University Guide over the past three years.

Ranking Source	UK Position 2024	Key Strengths
Complete University Guide	82nd	Graduate Prospects (78%)
Guardian University Guide	101st	Value Added Score
Times and Sunday Times	91st	Student Experience
National Student Survey (NSS)	Overall Satisfaction: 82%	Teaching on Media Courses

These national metrics demonstrate Salford's appeal to students seeking practical education with real-world applications, especially in a post-pandemic era where employability is paramount.

Subject-Specific Rankings

The University of Salford shines brightest in subject-specific evaluations, leveraging its specialized schools like the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Salford ranks in the global top 200 for Communication and Media Studies, securing 151-200 worldwide and 20th in the UK. This is bolstered by its MediaCityUK campus, home to BBC North and ITV Studios, providing unparalleled industry exposure.

For Engineering and Technology, QS 2023 places Salford in the 401-450 band globally, with strengths in Civil and Structural Engineering (top 250). In the UK, the Complete University Guide 2024 ranks Salford's Engineering courses 45th, highlighting research in renewable energy and acoustics.

In Business and Management Studies, the university is ranked 70th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2024, thanks to its Salford Business School's accreditation by AACSB and focus on entrepreneurship. Health-related subjects also perform well; Nursing is ranked 25th in the UK by the Guardian 2024, with a 90% employability rate.

Other notable subject rankings include:

1. Art and Design (Guardian 2024): 45th in UK – Emphasizing digital media and animation.
2. Computer Science (Complete University Guide 2024): 65th in UK – Strong in cybersecurity and AI.
3. Psychology (THE World Rankings by Subject 2023): 401-500 globally – Focused on applied psychology.
4. Built Environment (QS 2023): 201-250 globally – Expertise in sustainable architecture.

The table below summarizes key subject rankings:

Subject	Global Rank (QS/THE 2023)	UK Rank (2024 Guides)
Communication & Media	151-200 (QS)	15th (Guardian)
Engineering	401-450 (QS)	45th (Complete)
Business & Management	501-550 (QS)	70th (Complete)
Nursing	Top 300 (THE)	25th (Guardian)
Computer Science	501-550 (QS)	65th (Complete)

These rankings affirm Salford's niche expertise, making it a top choice for vocational degrees. For instance, its Journalism program is ranked 10th in the UK by the Guardian 2024, with alumni working at major outlets like The Guardian and Sky News.

Employability and Research Rankings

Employability is a cornerstone of Salford's reputation. In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, the university is placed in the 301-500 band globally, with a strong employer-partner score due to its co-op programs and placements. Over 95% of Salford graduates are in employment or further study within six months, per HESA data 2022/23.

Research-wise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 evaluated Salford's outputs, with 72% of research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Subjects like Allied Health Professions achieved 100% world-leading status for impact. In the THE Research Rankings, Salford scores 4.2 out of 5 for research quality.

Student satisfaction in research-informed teaching is high, as evidenced by the NSS 2023 scores of 85% for learning resources in STEM fields.

• Graduate Employability (QS 2022): 301-500 globally
• REF 2021 Overall: 72% at 3* or 4* (world-leading/internationally excellent)
• HESA Employability Rate 2022/23: 95%

Trends and Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the University of Salford is poised for further ascent. Investments in digital infrastructure, including a £70 million expansion at MediaCityUK, are expected to boost rankings in creative industries. Sustainability initiatives, such as carbon-neutral campus goals by 2038, align with global priorities and could elevate its Impact Rankings.

Comparatively, Salford outperforms many post-1992 universities in employability and lags behind Russell Group institutions in research volume but excels in applied impact. For prospective students, these rankings signal a university that prioritizes real-world readiness over traditional prestige.

In summary, the University of Salford's rankings reflect a balanced profile: solid globally, competitive nationally, and exceptional in key subjects. With ongoing enhancements, it continues to attract ambitious learners seeking innovative education.