The University of Glasgow has been named Scottish University of the Year by the Sunday Times newspaper.

The title was awarded for the University's "outstanding academic reputation, growing international standing and popularity with students".

Welcoming the award, University of Glasgow Principal, Sir Muir Russell said: “I am delighted that the University has been given this recognition. This is a great achievement and underlines the first rate work being carried out here.

“I am particularly pleased that the University has been recognised for our teaching and our research, both of which are of a first class standard.

“Over the past several years, the University of Glasgow has gone through a period of substantial change which has allowed us to compete nationally and internationally with the best universities in the world.

“This award recognises the work we have done, and continue to do, and our staff and students can rightly take pride in our achievements.”Uni tower - autumn lrg

The Scottish University of the Year title is awarded as part of the annual Sunday Times University Guide, which recognises outstanding achievement in universities during the past 12 months.

According to the newspaper, the University of Glasgow topped the list thanks to a jump of four places to 26th in their league table - one of the biggest improvements of any top 30 university.

In addition, a 76.5 per cent student satisfaction score was among the highest in the UK for a city-based university.

Other factors included high entry standards, the level of research income and research record, investment in new facilities, high standing in a peer group survey of 2000 university department heads, prime location in the city's west end and a low level of graduate unemployment.

Student Representative Council President, Mhairi Wilson said: “It comes as no surprise that the University of Glasgow has won this award.

“There's a lot more to the University than its excellent academic reputation. Student life here is fantastic.

“For our students, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and have a great time. There is something for everyone at Scottish University of the Year.”

The University of Glasgow has a long-established reputation as a major research-led institution that is recognised internationally for its groundbreaking work.

Our world-class research base includes pioneering work in the fields of medicine, engineering, ethics, physics and astronomy and we are leading the way in ultramodern disciplines like bioelectronics, cell signalling, nanotechnology and optoelectronics.

We also have great strength in arts and humanities research. Our Adam Smith Research Foundation enhances the links between different disciplines in the Faculty of Law, Business and Social Sciences and supports the development of interdisciplinary research outwith the University.

And in the latest round of research grants awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the University's award of more than £2 million was significantly greater than that of any other higher education institution in the UK. 

We offer an exceptional breadth of undergraduate student choice across the physical and life sciences, the social sciences and the humanities, together with a rapidly-expanding range of postgraduate courses.

Our teaching quality has been independently rated as among the top ten in the UK and our medical and veterinary schools are consistently rated amongst the very best in the UK.

First published: 20 September 2007

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