The University of Bath has been named the top university in the South West in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

Placed 11th overall, the University moved up two places to come top in the region’s rankings and has UK’s third highest degree completion rate of 96.6%, behind only Oxford and Cambridge.

Bath graduates continue to be some of the most sought after in the country. Over two-thirds of Bath-based students graduated from a course with a placement or study abroad option in the 2017/18 academic year.

The Guide praised Bath for its ongoing Curriculum Transformation programme, which will involve redesigning every course, with the involvement of students, to develop creative approaches to assessment, teaching and course delivery.

It added: “The University already has a gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), but has embarked on the exercise to ensure “continued educational excellence and a position at the forefront of the sector.” The TEF panel found that students from all backgrounds achieved consistently outstanding outcomes. Employers were heavily involved and students engaged frequently with developments from the forefront of research, scholarship and professional practice.”

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, Professor Ian White FREng, said: “To see the achievements of our community recognised in this ranking is wonderful and it is a great credit to our students and staff.

“The high quality of our teaching and our effective links with industry, for example through placements, mean Bath students are equipped with both excellent academic understanding and wider skills that put them in good stead for their chosen career.

“I am equally delighted that the University has been recognised for our efforts in transforming our curriculum to ensure we are at the forefront of innovation in teaching and learning.

“This recognition is further proof of the dedication, talent and commitment of our community, who so commendably represent the University of Bath.”