University of Kent falls 24 places in The Times and the Sunday Times 2019 rankings

The University of Kent has dropped out of the top 50 in the country in the latest league tables.

The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, which will be published this weekend, shows the institution has plummeted 24 places over the past year.

As a result, it has dropped to ninth in the South East, behind the likes of Oxford, Southampton, Surrey, Buckingham and Portsmouth.

Kent also fell to 44th in the Complete University Guide League Table for 2019 – its lowest position in more than a decade.

The University for the Creative Arts – which has campuses in Canterbury, Rochester, Epsom and Farnham – has leapt 25 places to 33rd in the country, the joint highest ranking ever achieved for a modern institution.

It has climbed to fourth in the South East overall – higher than the others in Kent – and it entered the top 10 nationwide for student satisfaction with teaching.

UCA's vice-chancellor, professor Bashir Makhoul, said: “Despite the huge contributions our world-leading creative industries make to the overall economy, the value of creative education is not always given the recognition it deserves.

“As the needs of the modern workplace evolve, so too does the need to equip graduates with the skills and confidence to flourish in today’s workplace.

“Our broad portfolio, close relationship with industry, and drive to nurture creative passion and talent form the foundations of the education we offer, and are absolutely fundamental to creating modern graduates who are well-placed to tackle the challenges of the modern workplace.”

Canterbury Christ Church is now ranked 118th in the country, having fallen seven places.

In addition, it is 17th in the South East, only ahead of Bedfordshire and Brighton.

The University of Kent and Christ Church have been approached for comments.