The University of Aberdeen's ambition to become one of the country's leading universities was boosted today with the publication of UK-wide university league tables. Aberdeen has been ranked nineteenth in the UK and third in Scotland in The Times Good University Guide.
Principal C Duncan Rice said that this recognition of academic excellence strengthens Aberdeen's competitive position and would help it to continue to attract outstanding scholars, students and research income.
He said: "The investment made in our academic quality and our successes in raising private and public sector support is beginning to have the planned impact.
"These figures reflect the hard work and commitment shown by all at Aberdeen. We all know that we have to constantly improve in such a competitive market place - regionally, nationally and internationally."
Aberdeen attaches particular significance to The Times Guide, which concentrates on several key aspects. They access a broad range of indicators and look across the board towards what represents a good university. The ranking, compiled by Mayfield University Consultants, aggregates the scores from nine sets of statistics.
In his inauguration speech in 1996, Principal Rice called for the entire university community to embrace his vision to enter the top twenty of UK universities.
Aberdeen is confirmed as third place behind Edinburgh and St Andrews. In 2001, Aberdeen rose 17 places UK-wide to reach nineteenth position - the strongest move by any university in the UK.
Professor The Lord Sewel, Senior Vice-Principal, drew attention to the combination made by the University's Principal, Professor C Duncan Rice. Lord Sewel said: "He has set more ambitious targets for us all. This achievement reflects our uncompromising stance on excellence in everything we do.
"We have maintained our funding for student support so that financial difficulties do not affect our academic performance."
Within the Guide, under the Languages section, French has risen from its position of second in the UK last year to become top in the UK (five points ahead of Cambridge who beat Aberdeen into second place by four points last year).