STUDENTS and staff at Bournemouth University’s School of Services Management are celebrating their highest-ever league results.

Sports Sciences at the university have been ranked number two in the country, second only to Bath, as has tourism, second to Surrey, in the respected Guardian guide.

The school has benefited recently from its involvement in high-profile research projects including impact studies for the London 2012 Olympics and research into sport participation and spectatorship.

It has also launched its new Motor Sport Research Group to bring together the expertise of academic staff with backgrounds in national and international competitions ranging from Formula 1 and MotoGP to the British Superbike Championship and Premier League Speedway.

“To be placed second in two league tables is excellent news,” said Dr Keith Wilkes, Dean of the School.

“This confirms the very high reputation of the School nationally and reflects the quality of the student experience offered by staff.”

Bournemouth University was ranked 32nd out of 117 overall, a leap of 48 places in four years. It is now placed above more traditional institutions such as Liverpool, Cardiff, and Queen’s University, Belfast.