The agreement, which was signed at the end of last week, saw the website become part of Hotcourses, but will be a distinct division within the company.

“The Hotcourses ethos and student-centred approach towards the needs of users are closely aligned to ours”

“I am delighted that, in joining forces with Hotcourses, The Complete University Guide will keep both its name and its unique personality intact,” said Bernard Kingston, the Guide’s chairman.

“It is clear from conversations with Mike Elms [Hotcourses UK chairman] in recent months that the Hotcourses ethos and student-centred approach towards the needs of users are closely aligned to ours.”

The Complete University Guide publishes UK university league tables, which have been available online since 2007.

Users can select criteria which they would like to compare, including region and subject, and are able to see full profiles of each university and other information including available scholarships and bursaries.

Hotcourses, which also owns whatuni.com and postgraduatesearch.com, has now formed the largest collection of university degree search websites in the UK.

With services that reach around 40 million students around the world each year, Hotcourses has the largest internet-based course and university and college search for domestic and international education as well as adult education.

“I am delighted that The Complete University Guide will be joining Hotcourses as I believe our values of putting students and their parents first are closely aligned,” said Mike Elms.