Harper Adams University has been named best in the UK for its reputation among employers in agriculture and forestry in newly-released rankings.
The University was announced as the leading UK University and the second in the world, behind Wageningen University in The Netherlands, in its subject area in the 2024 QS World University rankings – following a tradition where it has held a top two place globally for more than six years.
This year, Harper has also risen to become a top 150 global university in its field – and its highest spot in the global rankings so far.
In other rankings, the University has also risen in the metrics examining the number of citations per paper its academics produce, and in its academic reputation.
Harper Adams Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: “It is great news to secure not only the highest position we have ever achieved, but also to see the University rising in the tables covering our published research and our academic reputation, showing the fruits of our new research strategy.
“We are continuing to develop our research both in the UK and internationally, and it is heartening to see this reflected this in a growing academic reputation for Harper Adams.”
The rankings are compiled by higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds, who examine the performance of more than 16,400 university programmes taken by students at more than 1500 universities.
They include institutions in 96 locations around the world, across 55 academic disciplines– with comparative performance data being provided across a range of metrics.
QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter said: “QS’ analysis of performance trends across nearly 16,000 university departments worldwide continues to illuminate factors influencing the quality of higher education institutions globally.
“This examination of university performance comes at a pivotal time given the challenges posed by global inflation and geopolitical instability. The latter, identified by The World Economic Forum in 2023 as a major risk to organisations worldwide, presents considerable, unforeseeable challenges and opportunities as more than half the world’s population in more than 50 countries participate in one of the most significant election years in history.
“Against this backdrop, the importance of safeguarding and supporting higher education and international mobility around the world has never been more essential as it drives societal progress and innovation.”
Harper Adams University Vice-Chancellor, , said: “To be the leading University in the country, and the second highest ranked in the world, for our reputation among employers is no mean feat – and it is something which Harper Adams has consistently excelled at.
“Our degree programmes are developed closely alongside industry and are tailored to meet the needs of the sectors we serve – and our placement year helps students hone their skills with hands-on roles in those sectors.
“This coupling of academic rigour and real-world experience means those students finish their studies ready to start their careers – something borne out by our most recent Graduate Outcomes figures, which show than 99.2 per cent of our UK based undergraduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their studies.
“It also means employers are getting the kind of graduates they need – with the kind of skills they want.
“This continued trend of success, coupled with rises in our academic reputation and in the amount of research cited – as well as our overall rise in the table – is excellent news.”