Lancaster named International University of the Year


The city of Leipzig, where Lancaster is launching a new university campus.
The city of Leipzig, where Lancaster is launching a new university campus.

Lancaster University has been named International University of the Year by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

Lancaster has also been ranked 8th overall in the league table securing a top ten place for the 4th consecutive year.

Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide said:

"Few universities can match Lancaster's record for exporting British higher education to the world, while at the same time offering opportunities to their UK-based students to incorporate a global learning experience within their degree programmes. Our International University of the Year award is designed to recognise both achievements and Lancaster stood out in a crowded marketplace.

"It is the only university to have a presence in sub-Saharan Africa, having opened a campus in Ghana, and there is a joint institute in China with Beijing Jiaotong University. A new campus in Leipzig, Germany is in the pipeline. All are helping to establish Lancaster - now a regular in our UK top 10 - as a truly global player.

"Heading in the opposite direction, hundreds of Lancaster students undertake part of their courses in America, Asia, Australia or Europe, making use of one of the most extensive programmes of university partnerships anywhere in British higher education."

Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said:

“I’m delighted that the hard work of our staff and students has been recognised as Lancaster has always considered itself truly international in everything we do. This outlook influences our world-class research and teaching, enriches our students’ experience and extends our community with global staff and alumni from 100 different countries.

“Lancaster is constantly developing partnerships across the world to ensure it delivers teaching that takes students to the frontiers of knowledge and produces graduates who can compete in a global job market. We currently have partnerships with leading universities and institutions in 24 countries around the world and we are very proud of our successful overseas campuses in Malaysia, China and Ghana and this year launched in Leipzig, Germany - our first in mainland Europe.

“At a time when there is such profound uncertainty in so many parts of the globe, Lancaster remains resolute in our determination to be a university that is open to the world.”

Out of 120 UK universities Lancaster is consistently ranked in the top ten in all major UK league tables and was also awarded the highest possible score in the UK government's 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings for high quality teaching, excellent teaching facilities and graduate careers.

Lancaster was also among the best universities for teaching excellence in the Times Higher Education Europe Teaching Rankings 2019. This is the first international university ranking focused entirely on teaching and learning.

View full details on the Times website.

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