Scots universities climb world rankings list

The University of Edinburgh is now in 24th place. Picture: Neil Hanna

St Andrews climbed the highest, rising from 111 overall to 86 in the rankings which list the top 800 universities in the world, while Edinburgh rose from 36 to 24th place.

Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen universities have also climbed the global list to 76, 172 and 182 respectively.

Overall the UK boasts nearly one in 10 of the top institutions in this year’s World University Rankings with three in the top ten. The University of Oxford is in second place in the latest league table, while the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London also make the top 10 in fourth and eighth places respectively.

California Institute of Technology is rated number one in the world for the fifth year in a row.

A spokeswoman from the University of Edinburgh said: “It is always pleasing to see the university perform strongly in international league tables, reinforcing our ranking as one of the leading global universities. Our strong position is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the entire university community.”

This was echoed by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance: “To see five institutions back in the top 200 and all five substantially improving their placing again demonstrates that our Higher Education Institutions are up there with the very best in the world.

“We really do punch above our weight and thanks are due to the hardworking staff and students that have made this possible.”

UK institutions have the second highest proportion of international students among the top 200.

The 12th edition of the rankings sees the UK with 78 universities in the top 800, making it second only to the United States.

Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, said: “The United Kingdom is a stand-out performer in this year’s rankings, boasting an impressive 78 institutions overall, with 34 of these sitting in the top 200.”