The University of Aberdeen has been ranked as one of the top universities in Scotland in a new university league table, published for the first time this week.
The Good Universities Guide is an interactive guide to the UK's universities and places Aberdeen as the fourth best institution in Scotland and in 33rd place out of all 113 UK universities.
The University is ranked number 2 in terms of Law and Education, ahead of all UK universities, except Cambridge and Oxford, respectively.
Aberdeen was also ranked 3rd in the UK for Sociology, with only Warwick and Cambridge placed higher.
The School of Law has previously been ranked first in Scotland and fifth in the UK by the Times Good University Guide.
Professor David Carey-Miller, Emeritus Professor of Law, said: "The School of Law at Aberdeen continues to be held in the highest esteem by students, academics and the legal profession.
"A substantial number of our scholars have internationally-renowned reputations, and the School itself has a long tradition of legal research and writing. Students from every corner of the globe are drawn every year to Aberdeen to study our LLM programme, while our links with other law schools across Europe, Asia, America and Africa are stronger than ever."
Teacher training at Aberdeen's School of Education can be traced back to 1873. Myra Pearson, Head of the School of Education, said its high placing in the new league table was a reflection of existing high standards in teacher education and major research and development projects currently being undertaken at the School.
"We have an impressive pedigree in the initial education of teachers and the provision, through wide ranging partnerships with local authorities and schools, of continuing professional development courses," said Mrs Pearson.
"However, this professional capability is supported with a commitment to research lead teaching in the context of 21st century needs. As such the School has an impressive portfolio of externally funded major research projects of national and international significance including The Scottish Teachers for a New Era initiative and the Inclusive Practice Project."
The School of Education campus facilities are state-of-the-art following the recent £9m refurbishment of the MacRobert Building.
Aberdeen also has 13 subject areas which have gained top ten places, including Engineering and Medicine.
Lori Manders, Director of External Affairs, said: "There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the University of Aberdeen and our ranking in The Good Universities Guide is a positive endorsement of our position as one of the leading universities in the UK.
"There has been an unprecedented £9m investment in Aberdeen's intellectual leadership with 27 Chair level appointments being made in the past year.
"We are also contributing £245million a year to the economy, and we are entering our Sixth Century of achievement as an international leader in learning. Added to this, our Sixth Century Campaign, which aims to raise £150 million by 2010, shows that we are one of the most progressive fundraising institutions in Britain."
The University is at the forefront of arts and social sciences, in science, computing, engineering, technology medicine, and medical sciences.
Applications for undergraduate admissions at the University of Aberdeen have risen this year with more than 15,300 applications received for 2007 entry – the highest number ever recorded at this stage of the recruitment process.