Imperial slips in University league table
Imperial was ranked fifth place in the Guardian University League Tables this week, after being consistently ranked third in other tables. The 2006 tables placed Imperial below the London School of Economics (3rd) and UCL (4th); however, their criteria remain one of the most controversial in terms of assessing university suitability. The Guardian table awards 8% weighting to "inclusiveness" and uses a selection of data collected three years ago.
In 2005, Imperial was positioned third, behind only Oxford and Cambridge, which once again retain their leadership. The league tables, still considered an important factor for students selecting universities, are designed to aid potential applicants in their pursuit of suitable courses. Two tables produced by the Guardian rank institutions as a whole as well as providing ratings for specific subjects. Parameters such as `teaching quality assessment', `spend per student' and `student destinations' (employment scores) provide overall values for each university.
Imperial's performance varies across subjects; College reigns topof-the-class in Computer Sciences, IT, and Earth and Marine Sciences. However, Imperial lags behind in Chemistry and Mathematics at 8th and 12th respectively.
Student opinion on the new rating varies considerably. Mike Ferguson, a first year Biologist, told Felix: "Fifth position is pretty bad"; while Daniel Chowdhury, who studies Life Sciences with Business, said: "It is disappointing to see our university drop places."
Chowdhury elaborated: "I am surprised how much better equipped the Business school is compared to Life Sciences; teaching in the latter is implemented by old lecturers, who are trapped in the past."
