Theresa May’s old uni has been ranked the best in the world – putting Britain at the top for the first time
Oxford University knocked California Institute of Technology off the top slot
THERESA May’s alma mater Oxford University has been ranked the best in the world in a top survey - the first time a British uni has won the honour.
It topped the global poll knocking the California Institute of Technology - which has come first on five occasions - into second place.
Cambridge and Imperial College London were also in the top ten for 2016-17 in the Times Higher Education world university rankings.
And 91 other UK universities made the top 980.
The UK is second only to the US for the number institutions in the world’s best 800 with 88 universities in the top 800, up from 78 last year.
Tonight Education secretary Justine Greening welcomed the accolade describing it as a “fantastic” result for Britain.
She said: “Britain has long been home to some of the best universities in the world.
“We want to see this success continue and provide real opportunities for students up and down the country.
“That is why we are reforming higher education to make sure it delivers the quality teaching and skills that students and employers expect.
RELATED STORIES
“We are also looking at proposals to require universities to open or sponsor schools to help create more great school places and ensure every child can fulfil their potential.”
Figures show the UK is the world’s second most popular destination for overseas students.
The British Council data reveals 493,570 enrolled in universities in 2013/14, up around 80,000 on the 415,585 five years before.
Phil Baty, editor of the THE world university rankings, said: “It is fantastic news that the University of Oxford has topped the world university rankings for the first time.
“It is a great result for the UK higher education sector and cements its position as one of the greatest university nations in the world.”
But he warned uncertainty over Brexit was a threat to the higher education sector and Britain must not rest on its laurels as Asia continues to grow as an education “superpower”.
The 10 best global universities for 2016/17
These are the 10 best global universities for 2016/17 (2016/17 rank; 2015/16 rank, institution; country)
1.(2) University of Oxford
2.(1) California Institute of Technology, US
3.(3) Stanford University, US
4.(4) University of Cambridge, UK
5.(5) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
6. (6) Harvard University, US
7.(7) Princeton University, US
8.(8) Imperial College London, UK
9.(9) ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
= 10. (13) University of California, Berkeley, US
= 10. (10) University of Chicago, US
These are the 10 best-ranked UK universities
These are the 10 best-ranked UK universities (2016/17 world rank; 2015/16 world rank; institution)
1. (2) University of Oxford
2. (4) University of Cambridge
8. (8) Imperial College London
15. (14) University College London
= 25. (23) London School of Economics and Political Science
27. (24) University of Edinburgh
= 36. (27) King’s College London
55. (56) University of Manchester
71. (69) University of Bristol
= 82. (80) University of Warwick