Six British Universities in World’s Top 20

The latest global university rankings have been released, with record numbers of UK universities appearing in the prestigious list. The annual QS world university rankings table places six British universities in the top 20 and 15 in the top 200, though Cambridge has slipped from second to third as the highest ranked UK institution.

The list was topped by two American colleges- MIT pipping Harvard to claim the top spot for the second year running. Four further US institutions are in the top 10 and this American domination continues throughout the list, with over 50 US colleges appearing in the top 200. However, UK universities are a clear second, with Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and Oxford all placed in the top 10 in the world.

The list represents the top 4% of international higher education institutions, and takes into account academic reputation, student-staff ratio, research, employer reputation and the number of international students.

UK Success

One of the biggest successes for British universities is Coventry University, which is placed in the top 200 for the first time, following its highest ever ranking in a number of UK league tables over the last year.

Universities minister David Willetts revealed his pleasure at the positive results, emphasising the work that has gone in to achieve them:

"Our reforms to undergraduate finance have put universities on a sustainable financial footing and sharpened incentives to deliver a world-class student experience. We have protected research funding, encouraging universities to invest in cutting-edge research. And we are helping our universities make the most of the growing opportunities globally through our international education strategy."

The area where UK universities most excelled was in employer reputation. Graduates from Oxford and Cambridge are rated as the most employable in the world, with LSE students close behind them. Head of research at QS, Ben Sowter, explained:

"Clearly the prestige of a UK degree is recognised by employers around the world, and the brand-name value of Oxbridge has so far survived any negative publicity following the tuition fee hikes and student protests."

Note of Caution

However, despite these latest encouraging results, there were some worrying trends emerging that experts have noted. Of the 45 UK universities in the global top 400, 29 of them have fallen in ranking since before the financial crisis in 2007.

The major cause of this is the lack of funding put into research. Indeed, according to the rankings, Cambridge is the only UK university in the top 30 for research, and only four British institutions make the top 50.
John O'Leary, member of the QS global academic advisory board, said:

"The UK invests below the OECD average in higher education, so it is unrealistic to expect its universities to continue to punch above their weight indefinitely. The current success of leading institutions shows how vital it is that the government matches the investments being made by other countries in order to maintain their world-class status."

With UK higher education recently going through some of the most tumultuous years in ever, these rankings must be looked at within the bigger picture. Whilst encouraging news should be celebrated, it cannot be used to cover up recent failings.

QS 2013 World Universities Rankings Top 20 

See the full list of the top 200 here

Share with friends