Best Universities for Teaching Quality 2022

NUA’s continued focus on in-person workshops and assessments has seen them soar to our number one spot. Students at the University of the Arts are taught by practitioners using the same widespread techniques seen across creative industries, giving them a unique level of preparation and insight to prepare for their careers. The university has responded exceptionally well to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, with secure group teaching sessions and further live-streamed teaching.

Teaching quality at Imperial College London remains exceptionally high. The institution is established as an industry leader, with REF 2021 awarding them a greater proportion of 4* “World-Leading” research than any other UK university. Students are provided with a diverse portfolio of in-person teaching experiences, which are backed up by excellent digital provision in the form of podcasts and lecture recordings.

Rounding out our top three is Robert Gordon University. Having significantly invested in both on-campus and online support networks in recent years, RGU deserves its third place ranking. Students praise the friendliness and approachability of teaching staff, who cultivate a positive learning environment for all students. Having created a “student-led approach”, the university ensures that students are provided with the facilities and support they need to succeed.

Teaching at the University of St Andrews continues to go from strength to strength, with students repeatedly citing superb staff and facilities in their reviews. With an ongoing focus on lectures by specialists, smaller tutorials and seminars where students can develop their communication skills, as well as labs equipped with excellent equipment, St Andrews continues to build on its reputation as a top teaching university.

Sheffield moves up into our top five this year, following another year of superb reviews. Students consistently mention the quality of teaching facilities, with particular praise for the online learning environment cultivated by the university. As a forward-thinking institution, Sheffield is working with academics and students to implement sustainability into all of their offered courses, helping students to face the challenges presented to their generation.

Reviews of Ulster University often feature praise for its teaching quality, and it’s easy to see why. Ulster now ranks in the top 10% of UK universities for outstanding or very considerable research, according to the 2021 REF assessment. The focus on teaching is not purely performance-based however, with students also commending staff who care about individuals' education and wellbeing, and don't just seem them as faces in a crowd.

The University of Aberdeen returns to the top 10 this year, having received glowing praise from students on its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teaching staff are regarded as being competent, approachable, friendly and able to assist students in their education whilst ensuring that wellbeing is not discarded. The university continues to invest in infrastructure, backing up its teaching staff with excellent facilities.

Before you’ve even begun to study at Huddersfield, their excellent teaching begins, with fantastic guidance for prospective students helping to prepare them for higher education. Students often mention the quality of Huddersfield's education in their reviews, as well as praising the tutors at the institution for the care and guidance they offer. Significant investment has seen specialist facilities emerge to support teaching staff.

Despite now being spread across three separate campuses, the University of Greenwich has managed to retain its excellent standard of teaching. With a focus on equipping students with skills valued by employers, Greenwich aims to set its students up for success in later life with both academic and personable skills. Reviews from students often remark on the passion of their teaching staff and a genuine desire to pass on knowledge to the next generation.

With a particular focus on ensuring that students reach their full potential, Cardiff Metropolitan University not only provides solid course teaching, but academic and digital skills also. With a strong focus on professional and vocational courses, the university has established an international reputation for itself as an industry leader with dedicated and competent staff.

Through a combination of superb facilities and excellent staff, Keele University once again features in our top 20. Being described by students as "exceptional", it is clear that teaching remains a high priority for Keele, be it in-person or through their wide selection of online courses. Reviews consistently comment on talented and kind teaching staff, who ensure that the lectures and sessions they deliver are engaging and forward-thinking.

In response to the new world left in the wake of COVID-19, the University of the Arts London has developed a three-part strategy to ensure creative learning changes the world. With a renewed focus on providing vocational training, cutting-edge digital technologies, and ensuring skills are set within an ethical framework, UAL are unleashing 21st-century graduates who are able to flourish in creative industries.

This year the University of Reading saw their "World-Leading" REF score increase by 13%, as they establish themselves in the upper eaves of UK higher education. This excellence spills out into the quality of teaching at Reading, with glowing reviews from students on both the module and support staff who have guided them through their education. The institution continues to refresh its stance on learning, ensuring that its teaching strategies remain relevant in an ever-changing world.

In the latest Research Excellence Framework, 91% of UEA’s research was rated as "World-Leading" or "Internationally Excellent". The staff behind this exceptional research also use a variety of teaching styles to inspire and educate the next generation of professionals, empowering students to find their voice and develop into high quality graduates. In reviews, students remark on the excellent standard of teaching, supported by modern facilities.

Royal Holloway features an exceptional teaching team, as well as being a beautiful place to study. Teaching, although delivered at a high level, is understandable and delivered alongside a whole host of support for students. Being highly-ranked for research and with a renowned international reputation, Royal Holloway gives students everything they need to get their career off to a bright start.

Retaining its position in our top 20 for teaching excellence is Staffordshire University. With world-leading research and fantastic industry connections, Staffordshire has managed to maintain its focus on delivering excellent education for its students. Supported by high quality facilities, staff at Staffordshire University deliver a teaching experience described as "excellent" in reviews left by students.

Durham uses its considerable reputation for world-leading research to support its research-led teaching practices. By keeping students' potential in view, Durham cultivates a learning environment where students can take risks and make mistakes but, crucially, learn through the process. With a supportive student environment, the university is able to push its students academically, knowing that they have all the tools they need to succeed.

The University of Liverpool positions itself as an institution facing the challenges in the world today, and through its teaching, invites students to be a part of that mission. With a global outlook, highly qualified staff and excellent student support, Liverpool is a place where students not only learn course content, but develop into professionals who can contribute in their future contexts.

Warwick continues to deliver fantastic teaching and learning not only for undergraduates and other students, but also for external organisations and business leaders. Through its immersive learning strategies, students are taught to think critically for themselves, whilst being supported by superb staff in world-leading facilities. The institution's focus on research leads to students being provided with a modern, cutting-edge education.

Rounding out our top 20 is Newcastle, who thoroughly deserve their spot on the list. Their courses are developed by a phenomenal team of academics and researchers, who ensure that their content will be relevant to their students' future careers. With an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and an extensive student support network, prospective Newcastle students can be confident that they'll receive a world-class education.