THE UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh has put in a strong showing in newly-published world university rankings, being placed 23rd for the second year running as many British institutions lost ground.

THE UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh has put in a strong showing in newly-published world university rankings, being placed 23rd for the second year running as many British institutions lost ground.

The Times Higher Education-QS rankings rate Edinburgh as the sixth-best British institution, a welcome boost for the university after it slipped down the scale in other recent British league tables.

University Principle Sir Timothy O’Shea said that: “It is extremely gratifying to have held our position in the top 25 for the second year running against so many top-quality institutions from around the world.”

However, there has been concern at the performance of British universities as a whole, since there are now 17, compared to 19, British universities in the top 100.

At the top of the table, the Oxbridge institutions have fallen behind leading American competitors. US insitutions make up a third of all the universities in the top 200.

The publication of the rankings has led to renewed calls for greater funding for UK higher education.

Commentators have pointed out that the annual endowment for the highest-ranked university, Harvard, exceeds the combined annual funding for all British universities.

The University and College Union (UCU), which represents lecturers and other academic staff, highlighted the fact that the UK spends half as much on universities as the US, as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the UCU, said that without extra funding in the future: “the UK’s position as a global leader in higher education is at risk.”

Wendy Piatt, director-general of the Russell Group of leading British universities, of which Edinburgh is a member, said: “The table reflects the growing strength of our competitors – particularly US institutions – which benefit from much higher levels of investment than British universities.”

“Without increased investment, there is a real danger that the United Kingdom’s success will not be sustained.”

The rankings are compiled using a number of criteria, including a survey of academics and graduate employers, the number of times a university’s research is referred to in academic publications, and the ratio of students to staff.