University of Surrey (currently rank 4 on the Guardian University League Table) is ranked 251-300 on this list. I didn't go there but always wondered why it was so high on the Guardian. I applied there and I thought it was terrible during an open day I attended...
The disparity is real and these league tables mean nothing. What's more important is what you do during your studies (extra curricular, placement year, summer internships etc.) imo.
Unfortunately most league tables recognise that a problem with their methodology is that hard sciences is over weighted. One reason LSE is lower is due to the fact it's a social science/humanities institution, so anything arts related is disadvantaged.
