Scots universities slip 38 places in world rankings

Experts blame ‘squeeze’ on funding

SCOTTISH universities have slipped in the latest rankings of the world’s top educational institutions – with St Andrews alone dropping 15 places.

All four Scottish universities included in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings 2018 have achieved poorer ratings than for 2017 – falling a total of 38 places. Prestigious St Andrews University – Scotland’s oldest and alma mater of both Prince William and his wife Kate – has suffered a drop from 77th to 92nd position.

Edinburgh University fell from 19th to joint 23rd and Glasgow dropped from joint 63rd to 65th.

Aberdeen University suffered the greatest fall of the four – going from joint 141th in the 2017 rankings to joint 158th for 2018.

The faltering fortunes of Scottish universities are part of a UKwide trend. Cambridge is still the highest-ranked UK university, but has slipped from fourth to fifth position.

In the previous rankings, it dropped out of the top three for the first time in more than a decade. Oxford remains in sixth position, but researchers said the majority of the UK’s institutions have ‘proved unable to avoid further decline after last year’s regressive performance’.

In the full list of the world’s 959 top universities, a total of 76 UK establishments are ranked this time, with 51 experiencing drops.

All 24 of the UK’s elite Russell Group institutions – which include Edinburgh and Glasgow – are ranked but 16 saw downward movements.

The rankings are based on data including staff-to-student ratios, research quality and numbers of international students and academics.

Ben Sowter, head of research at the higher education information specialist QS, said: ‘Though the temptation may be to attribute the UK’s second year of struggle to Brexit, we would warn against doing so.

‘Much of the data for these tables has been collected over a five-year

‘Unable to avoid further decline’

period, and the first year of postBrexit internationalisation scores suggests that there has, thus far, been a minimal impact on international student and faculty rates at UK institutions.

‘Of greater importance, we believe, is the continued strain on university resources, which appears to be having a deleterious impact on not just research, but also the capacity to deliver world-class teaching. Also of greater significance than Brexit is the simple and unavoidable truth that these rankings are a relative exercise, and the rest of the world is becoming increasingly competitive.’

Dr Tim Bradshaw, acting director of the Russell Group, last night said there is ‘always room for improvement’ but pointed out that maintaining a ‘global position in teaching, research and innovation requires investment’. He said: ‘For a number of years, funding for teaching has been squeezed.

‘The position is particularly acute in engineering and some sciences where the need for specialist facilities, equipment and technical support adds to the cost of teaching.’

St Andrews Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Mapstone said: ‘While it is concerning to see UK universities fall in the QS World Rankings, this is a clear reminder that the importance and reputation of higher education is growing around the world.

‘The University of St Andrews is proud to be internationally Scottish, and it is very much on the world stage that we want to compete and engage.’