Scotland's university cities ranked among the safest in the UK for students
Scotland is home to some of the safest cities in the UK for students, according to a new study. The research into road traffic collisions (RTCs) highlighted the risks around university campuses across the country.
The analysis, carried out by legal specialists Simpson Millar, examined Department for Transport data to determine the average number of crashes per 100,000 people in every local authority hosting a university campus.
The UK-wide average sits at 186 collisions per 100,000 people annually, but several Scottish institutions performed far better than this national benchmark.
In fact, five of the top ten safest university areas are in Scotland, with the University of Aberdeen ranking second overall. The Granite City records just 35 crashes per 100,000 people per year, more than five times lower than the UK average.
The Universities of St Andrews, Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow, and Strathclyde also made the top 10.
While Manchester tops the list, Scottish institutions dominate the rankings overall, reinforcing the country's growing reputation as not only academically competitive, but also safer for students exploring their local surroundings.
The report also revealed that Friday at 5pm is the most dangerous time for road collisions across the UK, and October sees the highest number of crashes, coinciding with the return of students for the start of the academic year
Mark Howarth, a personal injury solicitor at Simpson Millar, offered a word of advice for young people heading off to study. He said: 'Students face so many big decisions – what to study, where to live and how to get around.
"While this report won't change which university you go to, it's a timely reminder for students and parents alike to brush up on road safety. Taking extra care when navigating a new city can help to reduce risks for everyone.'
The safest university cities in the UK:
University of Manchester – 24 RTCs per 100,000 people
University of Aberdeen – 35
University of St Andrews – 67
Cardiff University – 80
University of Bath – 87
University of Dundee – 88
Loughborough University – 92
University of Stirling – 97
University of Glasgow – 99
University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) – 99
Meanwhile, Scotland's top universities were recently ranked according to how well their graduates fare after leaving campus, with the University of St Andrews once again leading the way.
A newly released list assessing all 14 of Scotland's universities for the 2024 to 2025 academic year reveals how institutions compare on student satisfaction, entry standards, staff-to-student ratio, continuation rates and graduate prospects.
St Andrews not only topped the overall Scottish rankings but also emerged as the best in the country for graduate outcomes, scoring an impressive 89.6 out of 100. It was also ranked fourth across the UK overall.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
St Andrews boasts a remarkable 98 per cent continuation rate, the percentage of first-year students who continue their studies, complete a qualification or successfully transfer to another institution.
Coming in second for graduate success was the University of Strathclyde, which achieved a strong graduate prospects score of 85.7.
It was ranked third overall in Scotland and holds a continuation rate of 95 per cent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
New solar-panelled car park planned near Molineux
A new 205-bay car park with solar panels is set to be built about half a mile from Wolves' Molineux unmarked land next to the Wickes store off Stafford Road has been used as an informal car park for worshippers at the Jaamia Masjid Aqsa mosque and on match days for Wolves fans. The plans, by Tomato Energy, include 82 electric vehicle charging points.A total of 1,400 solar panels would be installed on carports to power the car park, with energy stored to distribute to the local area. Twelve hundred plants have been included to boost of Wolverhampton Council approved plans in 2019 to use the land as a car park when the site was cleared, with a number of trees cut down.A statement included with the application said the site had gravel at the moment and the development included finalising the top layer of the car park and creating a surface with project included "a photovoltaic (PV) solar canopy system over the bays to produce clean solar energy", it added."This energy will be managed on-site, either stored in batteries or used to supply local needs, supporting a sustainable energy cycle," the statement continued."A portion of the energy generated will be allocated to a community battery, creating a resource for local residents and contributing to Wolverhampton's green energy infrastructure." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Pocklington traffic measures in place for gas pipe upgrades
Traffic measures are in place while "essential" work to replace gas pipes in an East Yorkshire town takes Gas Networks (NGN) said it was replacing the "ageing metal pipework" on The Mile from the junction of Mile End Park to Algarth Road in Pocklington with "more durable plastic pipes".Temporary traffic lights will last for about four said the work would "ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas" for customers living in the area. Once the work is complete, the temporary lights will move to Yapham Road between the junctions of Garths End and Sherbuttgate Road final stage is also expected to take about four is working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council on the Smales, site manager at NGN, said the works were "vital" in order to "continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Pocklington".NGN will return to Mile End for further work at the end of September with more details to be announced nearer the time, he added. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent claimant 'deflated' by court's car finance ruling
A claimant says he feels "deflated" by a Supreme Court decision which meant millions of motorists would not be able to claim compensation for hidden commissions paid on car Wrench, from Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, was unsuccessful in his legal bid against finance firms after he noticed a commission payment "buried" in his contract two years said he felt "let down" by Friday's decision, which reversed earlier court rulings that found the payments to car dealers were director general of the Finance and Leasing Association, Stephen Haddrill, previously said the court's "excellent" judgement "restored certainty and clarity" to the car market. "The journey has been up and down… I was a bit apprehensive thinking which way this was going to go," Mr Wrench told BBC Radio added: "I felt a bit deflated, a little bit low. It takes a lot to bring me down but after two-and-a-bit years of fighting long and hard, I really thought [the judges] would see sense."Mr Wrench described the hidden commissions as "deceitful" and said firms should be more up front about the payments."I won't be approaching certain finance companies in the future because I feel they've let people down," he said. Mr Wrench was one of the three claimants involved in Friday's court proceedings and one of two who lost their the hidden payments were ruled not unlawful, the judgement left open the possibility of compensation claims for larger commissions, which the Supreme Court said were the ruling, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the consultation on who should be eligible for compensation and what they should receive would begin in October, with the first payments expected next were likely to receive less than £950 per deal under the proposed compensation scheme, the regulator said. Mr Wrench urged car finance companies to contact consumers directly to apologise and offer compensation and said he was still glad he had pursued the firms through the courts."I wasn't in it for the financial gain but I would do it again," he added. "I do believe I've unearthed a lot of truth." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
