World university rankings

Aberystwyth’s research citations have increased from 56.6 to 64.3 between 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Aberystwyth’s research citations have increased from 56.6 to 64.3 between 2011-12 and 2012-13.

28 August 2013

Aberystwyth University is the one of the top 300 universities in the world according the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-13.

400 of the world’s leading universities feature in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-13 with their performance measured for teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

In all, 13 performance indicators have been applied to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available, which are trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments.

Aberystwyth is 38th amongst the 48 UK Higher education Institutions to feature in the top 400, and second in Wales. Overall it appears 282nd.

Whilst retaining its overall position, Aberystwyth saw a significant increasing in citations from 56.6 to 64.3 between 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Described by the Times Higher as the “flagship” indicator and the single most influential of the 13 indicators employed, citations reflect the role of universities in spreading new knowledge and ideas and the number of times a university's published work is cited by scholars globally.

More than 50 million citations to 6 million journal articles published between 2006 and 2011 were analysed to create this indicator.

Other university citation scores featured include those of Bath, Queens University Belfast and Cardiff universities who scored 50.2, 52.2 and 60.2 respectively.

Aberystwyth University also improved its scores in Teaching (from 19.8 to 23.8) and Research (from 15.5 to 21.7).

Professor Chris Thomas, Aberystwyth University’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Academic Quality has welcomed these findings. He said: “These results once again confirm Aberystwyth’s place amongst the top universities in the world. The increased number of citations is particularly important – it’s evidence not only of the quality of the research we do but also its relevance internationally”.

Professor John Grattan, Pro-Vice Chancellor for International added; “It is pleasing to see our commitment to delivering an excellent student experience and our investment in teaching resources and facilities being recognised in this result.”

Further information about the Times Higher Education World University Rankings is available online here.

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