times

A new survey by Times Higher Education has asked more than 12,000 undergraduate students how happy they are at their university. The results reveal a top 10 UK universities that offer their students the best experience in terms of lectures, staff, social life and accommodation.

The University of East Anglia (UEA- pictured above) came out in the coveted top spot, ahead of traditionally more prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge. UEA's vice-chancellor Prof Nigel Norris was not surprised by the results, saying:

"Our commitment to providing a gold-plated student experience is long-standing and ingrained. This latest endorsement has been made possible only by the hard work and creativity of our academics, support staff and, of course, the students themselves who never cease to inspire us."

The latest world university rankings table has been released by the Times Higher Education magazine, and it shows the strength of the top universities in the UK. There are three British institutions in the global top ten, with Oxford in 4th, Cambridge 6th and Imperial 8th, and there are 32 in the top 200.

However, compared to US universities, the UK loses out, as the list features seven American institutions in the top ten, and 75 in the top 200. It is also a US university that heads the list, but maybe not the one that you would guess. With Harvard dropping in to joint second place, it is the California Institute of Technology (above) that takes the coveted number 1 spot.

The rankings are based on a number of different factors, including the staff-to-student ratio, research income, PhDs awarded and the citation of research. It also rewards those with a high proportion of international staff and students, thus encouraging truly international universities.