Dundee University has won the prestigious title of Scottish University of the Year for a second consecutive time.
Dundee received the accolade in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, which is published on Sunday.
The university is hailed as one of the 10 best in the UK for its teaching quality and student experience.
The guide also notes the strength of research at the university and the institution’s economic, social and cultural impact.
Dundee also rose nine places in this year’s guide to be named the 28th best university overall in the UK rankings. It also features on the cover of Sunday’s magazine.
St Andrews is Scotland’s highest ranked university while Abertay University was named the country’s best modern university, leapfrogging Robert Gordon University to take first place.
Alastair McCall, editor of The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “It is highly unusual for a university to retain any University of the Year award such is the competition now in the higher education sector to be the best.
“The University of Dundee achieved this feat in some style, however.
“The ratings it receives in the annual National Student Survey speak volumes about the quality of the teaching students receive and the wider university experience they benefit from.
“Dundee proves it is possible to be both an outstanding teaching university and one at the cutting edge in research work – and for this it earned a shortlisting for the UK University of the Year title also.
“To now stand second in Scotland in our rankings ahead of big city rivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh is testimony to the outstanding quality of education on offer here, something of which the university should be rightly proud as it celebrates its 50th birthday in 2017.”
The award comes on the back of a run of successes for the university. In the past week alone Dundee was also named in the Top 200 World Universities by Times Higher Education and was the only Scottish institution to rise in the table.
Indre Urbanaviciute, president of Dundee University Students’ Association, said: “Being named Scottish University of the Year again is yet another illustration of what can be achieved when the university has the students at the very heart of everything it does, and works in partnership with the student body and representatives.
“This is a very exciting time for the city and the university, bringing changes and opportunities. The importance of working together has never been higher and we pledge to build on these strong foundations, to the benefit of all students.”
Professor Sir Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “Our ambition is to become Scotland’s leading university in all the fields in which we work.
“Being named Scottish University of the Year for a second consecutive year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide is something all staff and students can take pride in.
“This is testament to the great efforts of our staff and students in making Dundee a place where people can transform their own lives and those of others.
“Our record in recent years on student experience is remarkable and we are now ranking among the best in the UK for teaching quality and graduate employment.”
Professor Downes added: “Our economic, social and cultural impact also extends far beyond the campus.
“We generate £740 million a year for the Scottish economy and support more than 8000 jobs.
“This is an exciting time to be at the university, as our new students arriving in the city this month are already finding, and we are delighted that we can celebrate being Scottish University of the Year in our 50th anniversary year in 2017.”
Professor Nigel Seaton, principal and vice-Chancellor of Abertay University said: “To be ranked as the highest ranking modern university in Scotland after climbing twelve places is fantastic news for Abertay.
“This reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues and student body right across the University.”
The Guide will also reveal that St Andrews has been ranked 3rd in the United Kingdom, in addition to being runner-up for the title of UK University of the Year.
Welcoming the news Principal Professor Sally Mapstone said: “St Andrews stands for quality across the board. Our staff and students are our greatest assets. This is a ringing endorsement of all they do to advance learning and understanding.”
