Release Date 24 September 2013

The University of Reading saw nine courses rank in the top 10 in their fields according to the inaugural Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide League Table 2014.

Land & property management ranked 2^nd; building and Italian 4^th; food science 5^th; agriculture and archaeology 6^th; art 7^th; town & country planning 7^th; and accounting & finance 9^th.

Reading's overall national ranking dropped back from 24^th equal in last year's Times rankings to 35th- in line with rankings in 2012 (33^rd) and 2011 (35^th).

Other notable rankings included history of art (14^th); law (11^th); and classics (18^th).

Other findings saw:

• student satisfaction rising (82.3% satisfied with their courses up from 81% according to the 2011 National Student Survey).
• graduate prospects (69.2% of leavers in graduate jobs six months after they left Reading - in line with last year's results).
• facilities spend per student rise to £1484 up from £1454 in 2013 - and a 22% rise in spend since 2011.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor University of Reading said:

"The University of Reading is already one of the strongest research-led universities in the UK and in the top one per cent of universities in the world. We have internationally renowned work addressing issues of critical global importance like climate change, food security and health. The quality and innovative nature of our teaching and learning also helps us stand out.

"League tables have their critics but they are a fact of life. Where we stand matters and we should not be afraid of judging ourselves against others. The significant upwards and downwards swings in this year's results show yet again that no university can rest on its laurels.

"We can take comfort from our performance improving across most of the key components of this table. But other universities are also raising their game and, in some areas, advancing at a faster rate particularly for student. We have got to keep pace to attract the best students and build further on our excellent reputation.

"That's why we have invested £400m in student accommodation, teaching and research facilities in the last decade. Even in the last year, we have recruited over 50 new academics who will strengthen our teaching and research. Our ambition is also apparent as we have started building a new campus in Malaysia and are committing ourselves to a £25million plus investment in a new Science and Innovation Park."

The University of Reading's next Open Day for prospective students takes place on Saturday 26 October. For more information call 0118 378 6586, email student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk or visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/life/life-opendays.aspx