University of the Year 2011/12
In September 2011 we were awarded the title of ‘University of the Year 2011/12’ by The Sunday Times, one of the most prominent and influential newspapers in the world. 
The award is designed to recognise a university’s all-round excellence and encompasses a range of aspects of research, teaching, employability and the student experience.
The announcement was made in The Sunday Times University Guide 2011/12. The guide provides both a British university league table and profiles of all the UK’s higher education institutions.
We came fifth In the overall league table out of 122 UK universities and colleges – our highest ever position, until we reached third in the 2012-13 guide.
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor, said: "We have always been committed to the pursuit of excellence in our research, teaching and learning and so it is particularly pleasing to have this recognised and rewarded at a national level."
“We attract real academic high-flyers to the University, with nearly 75 per cent of our entrants coming with grades of at least AAB or equivalent, reinforcing our position in the top rank of UK universities.”
— Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor
Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times University Guide, said of the award: “Bath is a thoroughly deserving winner of our University of the Year award for 2011/12. It provides a high-quality, distinctive university experience that is valued by students and employers alike.
“The country depends on the success of universities like Bath, not just because of its innovative, relevant research, but also because of the intelligent, passionate and work-ready graduates it turns out each year.
“They will be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow and they are ultimately the university’s best advertisement.”
Our employability
The guide’s league table is compiled using a number of criteria. The weighting given to measures of graduate employability was doubled in 2011 – an area that is one of our particular strengths.
We run one of the largest and most established undergraduate business placement schemes in UK higher education with around two-thirds of our students spending a year on an industrial or business placement.
It gives our students a valuable insight into working life in a business and means they are highly valued and sought after by leading graduate employers.
