UK Immigration perspective on UK Education: The 2015/16 World University Rankings by the global higher education research institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) have been released. While the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States maintains the top position, the following ten universities are the leading institutions in the UK on the global list. Compared to last year, there have been some fluctuations, as follows:
10. University of Warwick
World Ranking: 48th
2014 World Ranking: 61st
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick has climbed 13 places to rank 48th in the world. Located in Coventry, the university maintains close international exchanges with Columbia University, the Wharton School, and Sciences Po. Notable alumni include Emmy Award winner Stephen Merchant, Conservative Party right-winger David Davis, and Oscar-nominated musician Sting.
9. University of Bristol
World Ranking: 37th
2014 World Ranking: 29th
Granted its Royal Charter in 1909, the University of Bristol has produced 11 Nobel laureates, including Winston Churchill. A member of the Russell Group, some of its academic staff are fellows of the British Academy and the Academy of Social Sciences. The University of Bristol participates in the Erasmus programme, sending 500 students to European partner institutions annually.
8. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
World Ranking: 35th
2014 World Ranking: 71st
Founded in 1895, LSE joined the University of London in 1990, specializing in law, economics, and politics. A member of the Golden Triangle and the Russell Group, it is located in Holborn. Its alumni account for one-quarter of all Nobel Prize winners in Economics. Businessmen George Soros and David Rockefeller are distinguished alumni. 28 graduates currently serve in the House of Commons.
7. University of Manchester
World Ranking: 33rd
2014 World Ranking: 30th
The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK and has the largest student population. It has produced 4 Nobel laureates. Notable figures such as actor Benedict Cumberbatch, the father of computer science Alan Turing, and presenter Brian Cox are listed among its alumni.
6. University of Edinburgh
World Ranking: 21st
2014 World Ranking: 17th
Ranked 17th in the world, the University of Edinburgh is Scotland's premier institution. Dating back to 1582, it is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. In the UK, it is considered the most prestigious university outside of Oxford and Cambridge. Three Prime Ministers, a signatory of the US Declaration of Independence, Gordon Brown, Lord Palmerston, and Lord John Russell are distinguished alumni, in addition to philosopher David Hume and biologist Charles Darwin.
5. King's College London
World Ranking: 19th
2014 World Ranking: 16th
Founded in 1829, King's College is one of the two founding colleges of the University of London. Located on the Strand, it is a member of the Golden Triangle and is the largest center for healthcare education in Europe. Its alumni include 18% of the members of Parliament, Desmond Tutu, Thomas Hardy, and Florence Nightingale.
4. Imperial College London
World Ranking: 8th
2014 World Ranking: 2nd
Consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world, this South Kensington-based institution is a member of the Russell Group, one of the top 5 UK universities, and part of the UK's Golden Triangle. It is a world leader in engineering and life sciences. Notable alumni include Scottish biologist Sir Alexander Fleming, Queen guitarist Brian May, and former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
3. University College London (UCL)
World Ranking: 7th
2014 World Ranking: 5th
As the first university in London and the first secular university in England, UCL was founded in 1826. Located in Bloomsbury, it also has branch campuses in Adelaide and Doha. UCL is the largest university in London and has the largest number of postgraduate students in the UK. Distinguished alumni include telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell, comedian Ricky Gervais, and Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu.
2. University of Oxford
World Ranking: 6th
2014 World Ranking: 5th
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, possessing the world's largest university press and the largest library system in the UK. Oxford has 38 colleges and a rich heritage dating back to 1096. It has produced 27 Nobel laureates, 50 Olympic medalists, and 26 British Prime Ministers (including current Prime Minister David Cameron).
1. University of Cambridge
World Ranking: 3rd
2014 World Ranking: 2nd
As the best-endowed university outside the United States, the University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world. It operates on a collegiate system with 31 colleges. Cambridge is renowned for its distinguished alumni in mathematics and science, including Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Francis Bacon, and Stephen Hawking.
