The University of Ulster's Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management are celebrating their ranking by the Guardian newspaper as one of the top two UK university departments in their subject – the only university department in Northern Ireland to do so.
The accolade of No. 2 in the UK was delivered in the Guardian’s annual University league table supplement, which looked at the performance of universities across the UK is a wide range of subject areas.
Ulster's Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management was awarded a top score of 96% in student satisfaction with its courses, and 90% and 84% respectively in satisfaction with teaching, and satisfaction with feedback. The Department is very proud of its performance – which has improved from last year – and has, in fact, scored higher than the top university in these three important categories.
Dr Peter Bolan (Director for International Travel and Tourism) (pictured) said: “We are delighted to have received this accolade and the recognition that our students are so highly satisfied with our tourism courses and the teaching, guidance and feedback they receive. It is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff involved. Tourism is extremely significant for future economic growth and recovery in the UK and Ireland and as a Department we will continue to provide a high level of education in this field to prepare and equip the managers of the future”.
The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management is a part of the Ulster Business School.
Congratulating the Department, Professor Marie McHugh, Dean of the Ulster Business School, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Department has achieved this accolade.
“It is highly gratifying that our students feel that they have had an excellent learning experience whilst studying with us at Ulster. It is a reflection of the true professionalism exhibited by our colleagues within the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management to ensuring that, within the Ulster Business School, we offer our students the highest quality student experience available.
“I am exceptionally proud of the achievements of the Department, and extend my warmest congratulations to the team led by Head of Department, Dr Una McMahon Beattie, on achieving such eminence – 2nd place in the UK – in the Guardian University League Tables.”
Biomedical Sciences (10) Sports Sciences (13) and Pharmacy (14) at Ulster also performed strongly in the Guardian analysis, appearing in the top 20 in their respective subject league tables.
Overall, the University of Ulster was ranked 88th in the survey.
Notes for editors:
The full league table rankings for UK universities can be found at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide