Leeds Beckett ranked among the world’s best universities

The Times Higher Education (THE) 2018 World University Rankings features 1,000 institutions from 77 different countries, with Leeds Beckett being ranked in the 601-800 band and placing joint 67th of the 93 UK universities assessed.

The THE assessors have committed to restricting the official World University Rankings to an elite top 1,000, as they focus their data and methodology on similarly minded, research-active and globally focused institutions – rather than all the 20,000 or so higher education institutions across the world.

Speaking about the results, Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: "To be recognised as one of the world’s top universities is a great accolade. The growing strength of our research profile, the depth of our employer-led partnerships and the very strong employment record of our graduates help underpin our achievement. But most importantly our world ranking recognises the great skills and professionalism of the dedicated staff who work here."

Leeds Beckett University were also recognised as finalists in the Higher Education Academy’s (HEA) inaugural Global Teaching Excellence Award (GTEA) at an awards ceremony in London.

The award, launched by the HEA in February, recognises outstanding institution-wide approaches to teaching and were open to all universities and higher education providers worldwide.

Leeds Beckett was one of 27 institutions from across the world shortlisted for the award by an international panel of judges.  Sixteen universities from the UK were on the shortlist, with five from Australia, as well as others from the Netherlands, Norway, Hong Kong, South Africa and Switzerland.

@leedsbeckett are #GTEA17 finalists pic.twitter.com/M7FUF6kIpe

— Simon Thomson (@digisim) September 4, 2017

Professor Stephanie Marshall, HEA Chief Executive, said, “With high quality submissions from around the world, I think this award has really captured the imagination of the higher education sector and will help raise the profile of teaching globally.

“The 27 finalists all had compelling submissions in meeting the criteria of leadership, teaching and student support, and we are delighted to recognise that outstanding work and share the learning from GTEA.” 

Leeds Beckett’s entry was judged by external peer reviewers, and by an independent panel of distinguished global experts.  Commenting on Leeds Beckett’s entry, the judges said, “All courses at Leeds Beckett have enterprise at their heart: students’ entrepreneurial skills are formally assessed at every level in every course.”

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett, said: “Our teaching here at Leeds Beckett University is now recognised as being among the very best in the world. The panel of international judges have praised our educational philosophy, the supportive culture of teaching and learning we have developed and the seamless nature of the support we provide for our students at every stage of their educational journey. Being one of just 27 universities worldwide to be commended in this way helps to underline our growing reputation as providers of outstanding education.”

In June, Leeds Beckett was awarded ‘silver’ status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). This is a nationally-recognised mark of quality for the education offered to current students and applicants to the University.

The nationwide Teaching Excellence Framework was introduced by the government to evaluate the quality of the undergraduate student experience, recognising excellent learning and teaching in universities. TEF awards institutions either a gold, silver or bronze ranking. There is also a fourth ranking of ‘a provisional award’ which identifies those organisations working towards a TEF ranking. The award of silver to Leeds Beckett recognises ‘the excellent outcomes for the University’s majority mode full-time students with regard to retention and progression to employment and further study’.