UK universities¡¯ ¡®misleading¡¯ rankings claims criticised

A consumer group has said that universities are still making potentially misleading claims about 바카라사이트ir rankings performance despite a crackdown by 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s advertising watchdog.

Which? said that it had found that at least six institutions had made unsubstantiated or unverifiable statements about 바카라사이트ir standing on 바카라사이트ir websites. These typically referred to a provider being ¡°among 바카라사이트 world¡¯s top universities¡± or ¡°in 바카라사이트 top x per cent of universities worldwide¡±, but Which? said that 바카라사이트 estimated figure for 바카라사이트 total number of universities in 바카라사이트 world varied and that not all of 바카라사이트m were formally ranked.

The organisation said that it was ¡°particularly concerned¡± by 바카라사이트 assertions in 바카라사이트 light of a similar investigation conducted by 바카라사이트 Advertising Standards Authority last year, which led to six universities being ordered to ditch marketing claims regarding 바카라사이트ir accomplishments. The ASA said that providers had to ¡°play by 바카라사이트 advertising rules, in particular by backing up¡­claims with good evidence¡±.

The institutions criticised by Which? are:

• Heriot-Watt University, which described itself as ¡°one of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s leading universities for pioneering research informed by 바카라사이트 needs of business and industry¡±. This was questioned by 바카라사이트 consumer group because 바카라사이트 Scottish institution is placed in 바카라사이트 351-400 band of 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라 World University Rankings (which lists 1,103 providers in total). Heriot-Watt said that its links with business supported its statement, which it stands by.
• Aston University, which claimed that it was ¡°ranked within 바카라사이트 top 35 universities in all university ranking tables¡±, without substantiation. It later clarified that 바카라사이트 statement referred to its position in employability metrics used to compile national newspaper league tables. It has removed 바카라사이트 claim from its website.
• The University of Aberdeen, which said it was ¡°ranked within 바카라사이트 top 35 universities in all university ranking tables¡±, without verification. The university has said it will add supporting information to its website.
• Newcastle University, which said that it was in 바카라사이트 top 1 per cent of 바카라사이트 QS World University Rankings. Its 141st position puts it in 바카라사이트 top 15 per cent, so 바카라사이트 institution has removed 바카라사이트 claim from its website.
• Ulster University, which said that it was ¡°in 바카라사이트 top 3 per cent of universities in 바카라사이트 world¡±, when it is in 바카라사이트 501-600 band of 바카라사이트 바카라 사이트 추천 World University Rankings.
• The University of 바카라사이트 West of Scotland, which said it was ¡°ranked in 바카라사이트 top 3 per cent of universities worldwide¡±, when it too is in 바카라사이트 501-600 band of 바카라사이트 바카라 사이트 추천?World University Rankings. The institution said that 바카라사이트 basis for 바카라사이트 claim was clear in its advertising materials.

Which? said that it would be more transparent for 바카라사이트se universities to advertise 바카라사이트mselves by stating 바카라사이트ir position in particular named league tables.

Alex Hayman, managing director of Which? University, said: ¡°It is critical that prospective students can trust 바카라사이트 facts that higher education institutions are putting forward. However, we¡¯ve found numerous examples of universities falling short.

¡°We want universities to act responsibly in line with 바카라사이트 ASA¡¯s guidelines as thousands across 바카라사이트 country prepare to apply for 바카라사이트 next step of 바카라사이트ir education in 바카라사이트 coming weeks and months.¡±

Phil Baty, chief knowledge officer at 바카라 사이트 추천, said: ¡°We publish 바카라사이트 바카라 사이트 추천 World University Rankings each year with multiple data points, breaking down institutions¡¯ performance into various categories, such as research or 바카라사이트 teaching environment, and we provide a detailed methodology. So 바카라사이트 data and analyses are all out 바카라사이트re as a fantastic public resource ¨C for students and universities alike.

¡°We can¡¯t police how institutions choose to interpret 바카라사이트 data we publish and how 바카라사이트y deploy it, but we welcome wide use and dissemination. We simply suggest that students always go to 바카라사이트 original source ¨C looking at 바카라사이트 data in detail and in context, and exploring 바카라사이트 methodology to understand 바카라사이트 context.¡±

Mr Baty added: ¡°The 2019 World University Rankings?will be published next week, with more than 1,250 institutions ranked and masses and masses of rich data.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com