St Andrews University still in world’s top 200

Fife institution ranked 198 out of 1,300 across the globe

St Andrews University has remained in the world’s top 200 and within the best 30 in the UK.

The Fife institution has fallen from its placing at number 165 in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings, to number 198.

It reflects a general downward trend for UK universities amid intense global competition, although Oxford University topped the rankings for the fourth year in a row.

Overall, the UK has 28 institutions in the top 200, down from 29 last year.

Of these, almost two-thirds (18 universities) have fallen by at least one place.

The annual list rates more than 1,300 universities in 92 countries on five areas: teaching, research, citations, industry income and international outlook.

While Oxford was named the best-performing university globally, Cambridge University takes third place in the list. Dundee and Abertay fell outside the top 200.

A spokesman for St Andrews University said: “The universities in the top 200 are tightly packed and the smallest change in score can result in a large shift in position.

“It’s important to point out that in the Guardian University Guide 2020, St Andrews claimed second place in the UK league table, breaking the Oxbridge duopoly for the first time; is in the top three in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide 2020; and is top in the UK for student academic experience in the National Student Survey 2019.

“The THE is considerably out of step with these findings which may be a far more reliable and comprehensive reflection of an institution’s strengths.”

Phil Baty, THE chief knowledge officer, said: “Historically the UK has punched well above its weight with regards to higher education, being home to a huge number of top-quality institutions. In recent years however, increasingly strong competition from Asian institutions has begun to squeeze the UK out of its traditional top spots.

“Meanwhile, the majority of UK universities in the top 200 have declined – although the country is still home to the best university in the world, Oxford.”

A spokesperson from Universities Scotland said: “We’re pleased that four of Scotland’s universities remain in the top 200 in the world; that is a significant achievement for a country of our size.

“However, we can’t afford to overlook the fact that Scotland’s position has slipped again relative to our competition.

“Whilst the exact position a university finds itself in a league table may not matter so much, the international competitiveness of our higher education sector does matter a great deal. It’s a key determinant of how much leverage universities can generate using their public investment and therefore how much of an economic return they can bring to Scotland.”

Picture: Steve Brown. St Andrews University graduates.