Study Group partners improve placement in new global rankings

Students on their graduation day.

Study Group university partners have been highlighted by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 as world-leading universities, with 16 universities we work with ranking in the world top 250. This follows the Times Higher Education updating their methodology to continue “to reflect the outputs of the diverse range of research-intensive universities across the world, now and in the future.” 

Pathway partners 

Continuing success across global and domestic rankings, four of the universities we deliver pathways in partnership with have placed in the prestigious world top 200. The University of Sheffield (105), a Russell Group university, is known for its international outlook, recently pledging support for the city of Sheffield’s international students. This ranking also places them 13th in the UK. 

Fellow Russell Group member, the University of Leeds (129), is also renowned for the diversity and welcoming nature of its home city. Dhionis, from Albania, studied at the Study Group-run Leeds International Study Centre before graduating from the University of Leeds; Dhionis was recently a finalist at the Professionals in International Education Awards in the International Alumni of the Year category

Durham University (174) improved on last year’s placement, jumping 24 places. Study Group’s work with the Russell Group university was also recognised at the Professionals in International Education Awards, with our co-produced Student Enrichment Programme being named a finalist in the Student Support category. 

Also a member of the research-intensive Russell Group, Cardiff University (190) maintains a top 200 spot. Based in the capital city of Wales, Cardiff University renewed its partnership with Study Group to deliver excellent teaching, support and learning experiences to international students at the Cardiff University International Study Centre, following three years of successful partnership. 

The top 250 

Placing in the 201-250 bracket – and therefore within the top 13% of universities ranked by the Times Higher Education - is the University of Aberdeen who also recently achieved their highest domestic ranking (12 in the UK) in the Guardian University Guide 2024, our Irish partner University College Dublin, and the University of Sussex, one of our longest-standing partners. 

Notable placements 

Two of our universities where we provide pathway programmes and are progression partners for our Study Group Digital Learning programmes improved this year: 

  • University of Strathclyde (301-350) moved up two brackets compared to last year. 
  • Royal Holloway, University of London (301-350) moved up a bracket compared to last year. 

Sector leaders 

According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, the best university in the world is the University of Oxford, whose Blavatnik School of Government works with insendi, a Study Group company. Also in the world’s top 20 are Imperial College London (8), ETH Zurich (11) and Johns Hopkins University (15) all of whom we work with through insendi, our digital learning experts. 

Insendi partners ranked among the top 100 are: the University of Toronto (21), New York University (27), the University of Melbourne (37), Shanghai Jiao Tong (43) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (64)

Reflecting on the rankings, Dr Mark Cunnington, Study Group’s Managing Director, University Partnerships says: 

“Congratulations to our university partners on being recognised on the world stage by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Global rankings are one of multiple sources students can review when considering their study abroad options; with the Times Higher Education’s new methodology for 2024, these rankings promise to be useful for students, their parents, and the wider industry.” 

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 uses 13 performance indicators to provide "comprehensive and balanced comparisons" according to the Times Higher Education. This ranking follows The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, the US News and World rankings, and The Guardian and Daily Mail's university rankings

Study Group partner rankings – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 

University partners Overall ranking 2024 
Shanghai Jiao Tong University43 
University of Sheffield 105 
University of Leeds 129 
Durham University 174 
Cardiff University 190 
University of Sussex  201-250 
University College Dublin 201-250 
University of Aberdeen 201-250 
University of Surrey 251-301 
University of Strathclyde  301-350 
Royal Holloway, University of London301-350 
University of Huddersfield 501-600 
Liverpool John Moores University501-600 
Leeds Beckett University801-1000 
Kingston University 801-1000 
Florida Atlantic University 801-1000 
Teesside University 1001-1200 
Study Group Digital Learning PartnersOverall ranking 2024 
Bangor University 401-500 
Aberystwyth University 501-600 
Coventry University 601-800 
insendi partners Overall ranking 2024 
University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government  
Imperial College Business School 
Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business 15 
ETH Zürich 11 
Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (University of Toronto)21 
New York University Stern 27 
University of Melbourne 37 
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 64 
University of Stirling 401-500 

To learn more about our university partnerships and how we can strengthen your university’s international student community, please contact us