This report investigates league tables and their impact on higher education institutions (HEIs) in England. It presents findings from two strands of research:
– an analysis of five league tables selected for
the study, their methodologies and the underlying data employed, and
– an investigation of how higher education institutions respond to league tables generally and the extent to which they influence institutional decision-making and actions.
The purpose of the research is to stimulate informed debate about the approaches and limitations of the various league tables, and greater understanding among the users and
stakeholders of the implications of making decisions based on these sources of information
