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Best Universities for Course Content 2022

Choosing which degree course to study at university can be a daunting prospect. With so many different things to weigh up, StudentCrowd’s University League Table for Course Content can give prospective students some idea of how current students rank their course. 

How is the top 20 worked out?

We have crunched the data on 15,871 student reviews submitted on StudentCrowd between June 2020 to May 2022 to find out directly from students which universities offer the best course content in 2022. This is the only UK university ranking based entirely on authentic university reviews by verified students using their university ac.uk email address. This guarantees that what you are about to read is the unfiltered student experience. 

What to look for in university course content? 

With over 40,000 undergraduate degree courses to choose from in the UK alone, it can be hard to tell the difference between all the options. Yet, there are some things that we would recommend students keep an eye out for. Obvious things to spot are to do with the blend of teaching and assessment types, for example, the proportion of lectures, seminars and studio or lab sessions. We would recommend finding out the mix of face-to-face and online teaching, as different styles of university teaching suit different types of students. Similarly, there are a wide range of types of assessment from exams to coursework, hands-on practical work to individual presentations. Find out what complements your learning style so you don’t get boxed into something that doesn’t suit you very well.

Diverse course content 

Many universities offer quite wide courses, encouraging students to pick from a range of subjects. For example, the University of Aberdeen (#3) has over 400 joint honours courses, meaning students can study two or more subjects, giving them a huge variety of modules to choose from. This can be really helpful when you aren’t 100% sure what you want to do after graduation. The University of Southampton (#18) have introduced a range of optional modules for all students to develop a global mindset. Liverpool Hope University (#12) are also looking beyond the traditional degree structure by introducing their Service and Leadership Award, to help develop those all-important leadership skills on top of their students' academic skills.

Are there study abroad and placement opportunities?

Many degree courses now offer study abroad programmes. This can be a great way to develop your global perspective and try new things. Make sure you research the exchange partnerships a course offers. For example, Cardiff University (#10) has over 300 international partner universities. 

University placements are also increasing in importance as more employers are looking for graduates with work experience. Check if industrial placements are available at your chosen university and, additionally, find out how much support students receive to find and apply for them. 

Taught by world-leading experts

One of the main strengths of UK higher education institutions is the emphasis on bringing world-leading research into the classroom. University College London (#13) have taken that one step further by creating their Connected Curriculum programme to ensure that their own research is embedded within their teaching. This guarantees that students are benefiting from the latest research and even have opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge research themselves! 

Find out more…

Who is the best for teaching quality? We’ve got the answers here with our Top 20 Best Universities for Teaching Quality.

Find out about the rest of StudentCrowd’s Best UK University Awards 2022 to see all of our UK university rankings across our review categories.

 

The Top 20 UK Universities for Course Content 

 #1 

Imperial College London

“The content of course is great and interesting.”

Overall rating
 
 
4.30/5

Ranked as one of the best universities for science, engineering, business and medicine, Imperial College London features courses led by industry experts and taught in world-leading facilities. The teaching is directed by industry leaders such as Dyson, AstraZeneca and JLR, to help put theory into a professional perspective. Many researchers at Imperial are involved in developing the course content, ensuring that current research influences the teaching and keeps students up-to-date with new findings.

 

 

 

 #2 

Robert Gordon University (RGU)

“We have a variety of different courses and labs, which are really interesting. We learn practical skills for the future and always get support when we need it.”

Overall rating
 
 
4.42/5

Across the 70 undergraduate courses available at Robert Gordon University, the content featured is modern and in-line with industry standards. The university has excellent industry connections and facilities, which assists teaching across all disciplines and ensures students are employable. Courses are regularly updated to ensure students are learning about current issues and will be able to apply their knowledge in a professional environment after graduation. 

 

 

 

 #3 

University of Aberdeen

“Great lecturers. Good content, and nice delivery”

Overall rating
 
 
3.92/5

The flexible degree structure at the University of Aberdeen allows students to mix and match the modules they are interested in, and adapt their degree title as a result. With over 400 joint honours courses available, almost every subject can be combined together for an expansive education, covering a range of content areas. Students also have the option to take modern language modules or cross-disciplinary modules to enhance their understanding of their chosen subject.

 

 

 

 #4 

The University of Sheffield

“The quality of the course is very good, and the reading content assigned by the teacher is also very rich, which is in line with my expectation and is very helpful for my future job hunting”

Overall rating
 
 
4.06/5

Being a Russell Group university makes Sheffield one of the top universities for research and teaching in the UK. Courses are taught by academic experts, who are keen to provide students with engaging, vivid content through lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Each course aims to challenge students’ academic abilities, encouraging them to be innovative in their degree and, after, when they work in industry.

 

 

 

 #5 

University of the Arts London (UAL)

“i love my course! it’s so well structured and the staff is great. the content is not too heavy, but hard enough i keep me studying”

Overall rating
 
 
3.74/5

Creativity is a guiding principle at the University of the Arts London, and it runs through the teaching of each course and the type of content offered to students. UAL uses digital technologies and industry-standard skills to establish students as the next creative thinkers and employees of the future. Courses focus on specific subjects to guarantee that taught content is in-line with students’ interests and desired education.

 

 

 

 #6 
 

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Ulster University

“i love my course! it’s so well structured and the staff is great. the content is not too heavy, but hard enough i keep me studying”

Overall rating
 
 
3.74/5

Ulster University intentionally employs lecturers who have spent time working in industry, which ensures that course content remains relevant and of a high standard. Courses are taught in distinctly practical lessons, seminars and team projects to replicate the real working world. Many courses at Ulster include accreditation and additional qualifications which assist in finding work once students have graduated.

 

 

 

 #7 

University of Greenwich

“I am thoroughly enjoying my course and it’s content so far. It is brilliant course for anyone who has an interest in business and marketing.”

Overall rating
 
 
4.27/5

The University of Greenwich offers over 200 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate courses, all with a wide content breadth and flexibility for students to choose the modules they are passionate about. Teaching at Greenwich uses technology to make learning accessible, for example, recording lectures and using online resources. The courses are designed so students can apply their skills professionally after university.

 

 

 

 #8 

University of Liverpool

“What I like about my course is up to date content and ability to work with real life situations (e.g. Working with a company and creating comms plan which they will use)...”

Overall rating
 
 
4.10/5

Courses at the University of Liverpool span across 31 different subject areas and some courses interlink with modules, so students can broaden their thinking or simply learn about a related topic to their degree. The projects and assignments often include practical elements, which encourage students to apply theory in practice and prepare for the workplace.

 

 

 

 #9 

University of East Anglia (UEA)

“I find the course really interesting so far and you can get all the help you could need from knowledgeable and intelligent people.”

Overall rating
 
 
3.86/5

There are four faculties at the University of East Anglia, which all place research at the heart of teaching and want to establish students in the current understanding of their subjects. In the 200+ undergraduate courses available to students, content focuses on being intellectually challenging by incorporating problem-solving into lectures and seminars.

 

 

 

 #10 
 

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Cardiff University

“The course content is rich, and the teaching mode focuses on teamwork ability, which can improve cooperation ability”

Overall rating
 
 
3.92/5

Cardiff University has a variety of course modules, which allows students to select the content they want to study for their degree. Speak Welsh? Up to 100 of the courses at Cardiff can be taught in Welsh. Also students can submit work and exams in Welsh if they want to. Cardiff has links with over 300 institutions abroad, providing plenty of international opportunities for students.

 

 

 

 #11 
 

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Newcastle University

“Really enjoying my course and the content that I am being taught it is helping me to make decisions surrounding my future”

Overall rating
 
 
3.84/5

Newcastle University courses are taught through lectures, seminars, laboratories, workshops and practical sessions. Teaching is informed by research, and therefore creates a dynamic learning environment, in combination with a variation of in-person teaching. Learning is engaging and varied for students, as academics use their research findings to freshen up course content and keep it up-to-date.

 

 

 

 #12 

Liverpool Hope University

“Stimulating course with good hands on opportunities to develop and learn the contents.”

Overall rating
Campus/Facilities
 
2.99/5

Aiming to develop students into well-rounded, employable graduates, Liverpool Hope University brings research into content teaching. Courses are also very practical, which prepares students for the working world. The university also offers degree-enhancing opportunities such as study abroad or a 'Service and Leadership Award', helping students to develop independence and leadership skills alongside their academic studies.

 

 

 

 #13 

University College London (UCL)

“Course delivered as expected with high quality contents”

Overall rating
 
 
3.86/5

UCL acknowledges that course content needs to be updated with research and new findings. With over 400 courses to choose from, UCL is a multidisciplinary university, covering subjects from medicine and history to astrophysics. Through their 'Connected Curriculum' framework, they enable students to take part in research projects, as well as ensuring lecturers and students practice partnership and teamwork.

 

 

 

 #14 

Staffordshire University

“...interesting content, good coursework vs exams balance, opportunity to spend a year abroad or work placement”

Overall rating
 
 
4.26/5

Staffordshire University offers a diverse range of courses, all led by lecturers and academics that are passionate about their subjects. The university particularly excels in computing, journalism, forensic science and film production technology. Research conducted by staff influences the course content, allowing students to understand the research process and learn current material.

 

 

 

 #15 

University of St Andrews

“I have enjoyed the course the most and would definitely recommend it to someone. If you like a curriculum that will push you and develop your skills then this is the one for you!”

Overall rating
 
 
3.95/5

As a 600-year-old institution, St Andrews has an excellent global reputation for education. Students at the university are encouraged to think independently and look at the course content from a new perspective. Each course has a wide variety of modules, which enables students to select the topics they want to study and explore the scope of their degree subject.

 

 

 

 #16 
 

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Aston University

“Very good course. Range of content throughout the modules is what helps in the future.”

Overall rating
 
 
4.13/5

Aston University promises to uphold academic quality regardless of whether the degree is online, blended-learning or on-campus. With over 250 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate courses available, each course aims to give students the knowledge and industry experience to kick-start their careers. Course content allows students to move between theory and practical knowledge through an array of modules.

 

 

 

 #17 
 

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University of Warwick

“A fantastic institution with world-leading lectures and researchers all dedicated to bringing the most out of students.”

Overall rating
 
 
4.05/5

Studying at the University of Warwick means learning alongside people from over 150 countries across the globe. The diversity of the students at Warwick means that course content is discussed from new perspectives and through the lens of different cultures. Module options span across subjects, allowing students to explore areas of study outside of their degree choice.

 

 

 

 #18 

University of Southampton

“Course content is great and applicable to the real world”

Overall rating
 
 
3.83/5

There are over 300 undergraduate courses at the University of Southampton, partly due to the degree-enhancing choices students can make. Students can opt-in or out of study abroad and placement years for their degree. Southampton also offers interdisciplinary modules such as ‘Intercultural Communication in a Global World’, allowing students to grasp a better understanding of the world around them.

 

 

 

 #19 

Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

“Great experience and learn new techniques/Very supportive tutors, interesting content, good coursework vs exams balance, opportunity to spend a year abroad or work placement...”

Overall rating
 
 
3.87/5

All of the courses offered at Nottingham Trent University are a blend of theoretical study and practical sessions. Modules include projects and assignments that replicate industry work tasks such as presentations and team competitions. The teaching staff are industry experts, meaning that content is taught to students with employable skills and work application in mind.

 

 

 

 #20 

University of Edinburgh

“... The teaching has been very good, I've been able to mold the course according to my interests. Research opportunities have been good...”

Overall rating
 
 
3.77/5

Through the many courses available at the University of Edinburgh, students can select option modules alongside core studies. This could be degree-related or from another subject area. Teaching at Edinburgh is increasingly using technology to assist learning, whether that is peer-assisted or using e-learning software. Also, courses are taught by academic experts, adding current research findings and debates to taught material.

 

 

 

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