University of Wolverhampton bosses defend low league table position

The Guardian’s University League Tables 2019 ranked the city university 116th out of 121 in the country.

It scored the university 46.5 out of 100 and found 82 per cent of students were satisfied with their course. The student to staff ratio was among the highest in the country at 20.

At the university, 66 per cent of students found a career six months after their degree, according to the table.

Only Bucks New University, Leeds Beckett, York St John, Cumbria and London Met came below the University of Wolverhampton in the table.

At the top was Cambridge, followed by Oxford and St Andrews.

Coventry University came 13th and University of Birmingham came 19th, while Staffordshire University came 44th.

A spokesman for the University of Wolverhampton, which re-entered the league tables for the first time since 2009, said: “Published league tables are one of the many ways universities are measured and compared.

“There are differences between each league table in terms of what metrics it uses and how it calculates position.

“As a university we have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives through education and our contribution to shaping and regenerating the regional economy.

“We launched a new strategic plan in 2016 which is hugely ambitious and that is all about putting students at the heart of what we do.

“We have recorded our highest ever employability statistics with 96.3 per cent of our graduates being in work or further study six months after leaving – outperforming the UK average for all universities.

“Wolverhampton students are also supporting the regional economy with 81 per cent working in the West Midlands after graduation.

“Student satisfaction continues to rise, good honours outcomes are improving and the University is producing world leading research. There is plenty to be positive about and we’re confident that over time our performance within league tables will continue to progress.” Staffordshire scored 66.7 out of 100 and 85 per cent of students were satisfied with their course.

The student to staff ratio was 14.5 and 80 per cent of students found a career after passing out.

The Guardian says its league tables focus on what matters most to young people.

These are quality of teaching, student satisfaction and employability.

Yesterday it was revealed that dozens of staff in the university's support and wellbeing team could lose their jobs under a restructure.