Top Ten Universities in the United Kingdom
British Universities Do Well in Global Rankings
Nov 6, 2009
UK universities continue to feature strongly in the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings, compiled with global education network QS Quacquarelli Symonds, with four UK universities appearing in the top six. The overall rankings are based on survey results from six distinct areas: academic peer review, employer review, faculty student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty and international students.
The following are the top ten universities in the United Kingdom, along with their world ranking:
Cambridge University (2)
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2009. Today the university has 31 colleges and over 150 departments, faculties and schools. Famous alumni include scientist Sir Isaac Newton, writer Nick Hornby and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
University College, London (UCL) (4)
UCL, located in the intellectual Bloomsbury district of London, plays host to 22,000 students, 34 percent of whom come from outside the United Kingdom. University College was founded in 1826, and can boast 21 Nobel prize winners among its staff and students over the intervening period.
Imperial College London (5)
Imperial College is a specialist university focused on science, technology and medicine. Founded in 1907 in South Kensington, Imperial has students from over 158 countries.
Oxford University (5)
A long-time rival of Cambridge University, Oxford is the oldest university in England, with mention of teaching going back to 1096. Today the university has 38 colleges, with students from 142 countries. Famous alumni include food writer Nigella Lawson, King Abdullah of Jordan, explorer Sir Richard Burton and astronomer Edmund Halley.
Edinburgh University (20)
The University of Edinburgh is home to more than 26,400 students, a quarter of whom are from outside the United Kingdom. The university is arranged around three colleges and a total of 22 schools. Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh can boast some impressive former students, including Charles Darwin and former MI5 director Stella Rimington.
Kings College London (23)
Kings College was founded in 1829, and has since grown to encompass nine schools and over 21,000 students from nearly 140 countries. Former students include Desmond Tutu and the poet John Keats.
University of Manchester (26)
A new institution, formed in 2004 by merging the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST, the University of Manchester is home to more than 26,000 students from 180 countries. The university’s roll call of Nobel laureates includes physicist Niels Bohr and economist Joseph Stiglitz.
University of Bristol (34)
Originally known as University College, Bristol, the University of Bristol came into being in 1909. Today, the university has 34 departments and 15 research centres. Students and staff come from more than 120 countries.
University of Warwick (58)
Warwick University, situated near the city of Coventry, received its Royal Charter in 1965. Today it caters to nearly 17,000 students and is home to students and staff from 120 countries around the world
University of Birmingham (66)
Founded in 1900, Birmingham University is today home to over 26,000 students, with 4,000 being international students.
The best British universities are facing up to the strong challenges posed by universities in the Americas and Asia and continue to uphold standards of excellence and tradition.
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