Times Ranking of Art & Design Programs

The Times Good University Guide ranking for the top Arts & Design programs in 2010 highlights the dynamic landscape of higher education in the creative disciplines across the United Kingdom. This ranking offers a snapshot of the most prestigious institutions for students interested in pursuing degrees in areas such as fine art, design, architecture, and related fields. According to the 2010 edition of the guide, the University of Oxford emerged as the top institution for Arts & Design in the UK, securing the number one spot, followed by University College London (UCL) in second place and the University of Glasgow in third. This shift in rankings reflects changes in institutional focus, educational offerings, and research strength within these programs and demonstrates the evolving priorities and successes of creative institutions across the nation.

The University of Oxford’s ascent to the number one position in the 2010 Times ranking represents a notable shift in the competitive landscape of arts and design education in the UK. Having previously been ranked 8th in the 2009 edition of the Times Good University Guide, Oxford’s leap to the top demonstrates its strategic emphasis on academic excellence, research leadership, and innovative program offerings. Oxford, traditionally celebrated for its strength in the humanities and sciences, has increasingly placed importance on the arts and design disciplines. This change has solidified its position as one of the leading institutions in this space. Oxford offers a diverse range of programs and is committed to combining historical excellence with contemporary innovation in its arts education, emphasizing critical analysis, interdisciplinary exploration, and creative experimentation. This change in focus has undoubtedly contributed to its ability to lead the ranking, offering students a stimulating and supportive learning environment grounded in both tradition and forward-thinking educational philosophy.

UCL (University College London) has consistently been a dominant presence in the arts and design education rankings, having secured the number one spot in the previous two editions of the Times Good University Guide in 2008 and 2009. However, UCL fell to second place in 2010, highlighting the competitive nature of the league tables and the shifting priorities of universities and their programs. Despite this change, UCL remains one of the most prestigious and influential institutions for arts and design studies in the UK. The university boasts a diverse range of arts and design programs and has a strong reputation for its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and global perspectives. UCL's commitment to integrating creativity, research, and innovation has earned it a global reputation and has continued to attract talented students and faculty members from across the world. While its standing as the leader in the arts and design category may have shifted, UCL’s continued prominence reflects its role as a hub for academic inquiry and creative exploration.

The University of Glasgow also solidified its position among the top institutions for arts and design in the 2010 rankings, coming in third place. Glasgow’s rise to prominence in this space underscores its commitment to providing students with a strong foundation in both theoretical study and practical application. The University of Glasgow’s arts and design programs are celebrated for their emphasis on creativity, critical inquiry, and interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to develop their artistic voice while engaging with critical theoretical frameworks. This approach fosters innovation while ensuring that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical, social, and technological dimensions of art and design. Glasgow’s success reflects not only its historical reputation as one of the UK’s oldest universities but also its ability to adapt its curriculum and programs to meet the evolving demands of the arts and design field.

In addition to these top three institutions, other notable trends and movements occurred in the Times Good University Guide rankings. One significant change is the performance of Brunel University, which dropped from its previous position of 2nd in the 2009 ranking to 5th in the 2010 edition. While Brunel has traditionally maintained a strong reputation for its arts and design programs, its decline in the rankings suggests that other institutions have advanced their focus on research, interdisciplinary studies, and program development at a faster rate. Nonetheless, Brunel continues to be a strong choice for students seeking arts and design programs, with its emphasis on practical learning, technological innovation, and collaborative interdisciplinary study. Despite this drop, Brunel remains a competitive institution in the UK’s higher education landscape.

On a more positive note, Kent University has demonstrated remarkable progress over the three years leading up to the 2010 rankings. Kent’s position in the Times Good University Guide has steadily risen, showcasing the university’s commitment to strategic growth, program development, and excellence in arts education. In 2008, Kent was ranked 28th, but by 2009, it had moved up to 16th. In 2010, it further advanced to the 6th spot in the overall rankings. This significant progression illustrates Kent University’s ability to adapt its curriculum and teaching methods, invest in innovative research, and support interdisciplinary and collaborative opportunities. Kent has demonstrated that a forward-thinking approach, combined with strong leadership and academic flexibility, can yield rapid progress and recognition in competitive rankings.

Lancaster University has also shown impressive growth and upward mobility within the rankings. Moving from 25th place in 2008 to 15th in 2009, Lancaster demonstrated strong improvement, and by 2010, it had entered the top ten, securing the 7th spot in the Times Good University Guide rankings. Lancaster’s rise represents a shift toward excellence, with the university emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches, creative research opportunities, and practical application in its arts and design programs. Lancaster is a testament to the dynamic and competitive nature of arts and design education in the UK, illustrating how universities can climb the rankings by investing in interdisciplinary studies, innovative teaching methods, and strong student outcomes.

These shifts and changes in the rankings reflect the evolving priorities of UK institutions as they strive to meet the demands of students and the creative industries. The emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, technological innovation, and sustainability has become central to the success of arts and design programs. Universities such as Oxford, UCL, and Glasgow are leading the way in integrating contemporary trends and challenges into their teaching methodologies while focusing on research-led instruction, critical inquiry, and creativity. Similarly, institutions like Kent and Lancaster demonstrate how strategic planning and adaptability can allow universities to make significant progress in a competitive environment.

The 2010 Times Good University Guide rankings reveal that competition is strong in the UK’s arts and design education landscape, with each institution offering unique opportunities and strengths. Oxford’s rise to the top spot reflects its ability to blend tradition with innovation, while UCL maintains its position as a global leader despite a minor drop in the rankings. Glasgow, Kent, and Lancaster also demonstrate how flexibility, research focus, and interdisciplinary opportunities contribute to sustained progress and academic strength.

League Table 2010 (Top 10 list):
1 Oxford
2 University College London
3 Glasgow
4 Loughborough
5 Brunel
6 Kent
7 Lancaster
8 Edinburgh
9 Newcastle
10 Bangor

League Table 2008:
1 University College London
2 Reading
3 Glasgow
4 Oxford
5 Brunel
6 Loughborough
7 Goldsmiths College
8 Newcastle
9 Leeds
10 Brighton
11 Kingston
12 Salford
13 Edinburgh
14 University of the Arts, London
15 Bournemouth
16 Dundee
17 Aberystwyth
=17 Nottingham Trent
19 Robert Gordon
20 Southampton
21 Greenwich
22 Falmouth
23 Northumbria
24 Sheffield Hallam
25 Lancaster
26 Coventry
27 Ulster
28 Kent
29 De Montfort
30 Anglia Ruskin
31 Oxford Brookes
=31 Leeds Metropolitan
33 Bath Spa
34 University College for the Creative Arts
=34 East London
36 Sunderland
37 Heriot-Watt
38 UWCN, Newport
=38 Plymouth
40 Napier
41 Staffordshire
42 Lincoln
43 Chichester
=43 Hertfordshire
=43 Central Lancashire
46 Middlesex
=46 Southampton Solent
48 Manchester Metropolitan
=48 Portsmouth
50 Glamorgan
51 Westminster
52 Thames Valley
53 Canterbury Christ Church
=53 Liverpool Hope
=53 UCE Birmingham
56 Gloucestershire
57 Buckinghamshire Chilterns
=57 Glasgow Caledonian
59 Liverpool John Moores
60 West of England
61 UWIC, Cardiff
62 Northampton
63 Derby
64 Roehampton
65 London South Bank
66 Cumbria
67 Teesside
68 Huddersfield
69 Bolton
70 Worcester
=70 Chester
72 Essex
73 York St John
74 Wolverhampton
75 Bedfordshire

Source: The Times