University drops four places to 49th in world rankings

EDINBURGH University has slipped four places in a rankings table showing the world’s top 100 universities.

According to new reputation-based rankings released today by Times Higher Education, the university has fallen from 45th place in 2011 to 49th this year. The rankings also show that the number of UK universities in the world’s top 100 has fallen from 12 to ten.

The University and College Union (UCU) said while the UK continued to punch above its weight on the global stage, the government had to recognise the advances being made in other countries, particularly those investing more in their higher education sectors.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Our brilliant universities need secure and sustained funding if we are to maintain our proud international position. Higher education is one thing we do well globally, but it cannot be done on the cheap.”

Cambridge University once again beat Oxford to the UK’s number one slot.