UNSW has been judged the top university in Australia for the quality of its learning and teaching.

The results of the Federal Government's Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for 2009, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, show UNSW ranking number one for business, law and economics and for science, engineering, computing and architecture.

The Fund rewards universities that demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning for domestic undergraduates, awarding scores across four discipline groups.

This year for the first time it also recognised universities for improvement in their performance over time. UNSW rated ahead of any other university in both categories.

Three years in a rowThis is the third consecutive year the University has won the top ranking for excellence in business, law and economics. UNSW also rated in the top A1 band for humanities, arts and education, and achieved an A2 ranking for health.

UNSW will receive a total of $6.9 million from the Fund, the largest allocation to any Australian university.

"This is an outstanding result for UNSW," Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer said.

"It reaffirms the importance of achieving excellence in both research and teaching. The results highlight that a research-intensive university such as UNSW can also achieve the highest standards in terms of the learning experience we provide to our students."

Institutions are assessed on graduate surveys measuring levels of satisfaction and employability or progress to further study, and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations data on retention and progression rates.

Thirty-two universities were successful in gaining allocations under the 2009 Fund, sharing a total of $73 million.

Media Contact: Judy Brookman | 9385 3249 | 0421 061 251 | j.brookman@unsw.edu.au