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Science shines at Bristol

A student carrying out a science experiment

A student carrying out a science experiment

Press release issued: 7 December 2007

All four of the departments at the University of Bristol that were included in a rigorous assessment of postgraduate programmes in 500 science departments at 250 universities in 20 European countries have been awarded medals and given ‘top group’ ranking. One of the departments, Chemistry, has gone further and achieved rare ‘excellence group’ status.

All four of the departments at the University of Bristol that were included in a rigorous assessment of postgraduate programmes in 500 science departments at 250 universities in 20 European countries have been awarded medals and given ‘top group’ ranking. One of the departments, Chemistry, has gone further and achieved rare ‘excellence group’ status.

The ranking was carried out by the prestigious Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE) in Germany and focused on the quality of universities’ graduate programmes in natural sciences (www.che-excellence-ranking.eu).

Bristol’s biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics departments were assessed and won 11 medals between them, seven of them gold. The School of Chemistry won an exceptional three gold medals and one silver medal. Only 24 other universities across Europe joined Bristol in the ‘excellence group’.

Departments were assessed on a range of criteria including how many research publications they produce, the number of international citations received by staff, and students’ views on the quality of their experience.

Professor Avril Waterman-Pearson, the Pro Vice-Chancellor at Bristol whose responsibilities include the Faculty of Science, said: “When the Government designated Bristol as one of the UK’s six Science Cities, it did so partly on the strength of Bristol University’s record in science research and postgraduate education.

“This international league table shows we are among the leaders in Europe as well, and I congratulate all the colleagues involved.”

Professor Tim Gallagher, Head of the University’s School of Chemistry, said: “This is a terrific result for us and a reflection of the outstanding talent and commitment of the staff at Bristol.”

 

Further information

Please contact Barry Taylor for further information.
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