Top Tier UK Universities, Is It All a Rankings Game? - Telios Tutors®

Top Tier UK Universities, Is It All a Rankings Game?

Description: 11+ and CAT4 Tutor Ofi discusses the need to aim for high-ranking universities; particularly encouraging an early start.


I have been fortunate to school in one and work in another Russell Group university.


I also have worked in a younger post-92 as well as the middling pre-92 institution and I present some of my observations.


Gaming The Ranking

It is often commented that rankings could be gamed as such they should be taken with a pinch of salt.


Over the years, however, the ranking methodology has been provided by the ranking bodies and the differentiation between the institutions is converging.

Institutions rather than game the system have focussed on improving in the key indicators measured.

The result is satisfied students who go on to secure well-paying jobs before completing their degrees.


Despite the gaming rhetoric, students and parents make decisions based on these rankings.




The UK government also divides funding based on metrics from the Research excellence rankings.


The institutions in a favourable position have more funds at their disposal and are able to undertake cutting-edge and exciting research with real-world applications.


These rankings broadly favour the higher-ranked institutions judging from the most recent results.


The Case For The Intake

Undergraduate intakes broadly follow similar trends.


Although Comprehensively educated students also gain places in these top-ranking universities.


Disproportionately, Grammar schools and Independently educated students find their way into these higher-ranked institutions.


Some sifting and repositioning occur but the excellence developed from the early years facilitates the successes observed in the workplace and adult life.


The Case For Tutoring

Students who secure admission into competitive secondary schools often require tuition.


This suggests that if the end goal is for your child to attend these universities.

The preparations need to commence early in life and investments need to be appropriated into tuition.


There is sufficient literature to indicate that starting early reduces the stress felt as one prepares for an examination.


Final Notes

Although routes are different for each individual, a top-ranking student secures admission into a top-ranking university and goes on to become a top-ranking executive in the workplace.


I hope these thoughts provide you with some insight.


Finding a good tutor to facilitate your child’s learning is therefore essential and Telios Tutors can help you prepare. We look forward to speaking with you.


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