University league puts region’s 
cities in 
top 100

UNIVERSITIES in two Yorkshire cities have been named among the best in the world in international rankings published today.

Sheffield is ranked 69th and Leeds 97th in the latest QS world university rankings.

The tables also show that Oxbridge and London continue to dominate, with Imperial College London leaping into joint second place with Cambridge, and Oxford tying with University College London (UCL) in fifth.

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Institutions that focus on science and maths-based subjects and research, such as Imperial, are increasingly well-respected as governments see these areas as vital for their nations’ future success, it is suggested.

The latest QS World University Rankings include eight UK universities in the top 50, and 19 in the top 100, up one on last year.

Sheffield University has welcomed rising up the table and now being ranked 12th best in the country and remaining the best in Yorkshire.

Its vice chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett said: “In ten years the university has moved from 143rd place to 69th place in the 2014 QS World University Rankings. This global table places particular emphasis on the insights of peer academics around the world, who understand our international impact, and we are delighted they recognise our growing contribution amongst the world’s best universities.”

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States was first overall in the rankings.

Ben Sowter, QS head of research, said: “In the wake of the recession, both governments 
and private sector funding sources are placing greater emphasis on high-impact Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) research, much of which takes place in specialist institutions.”

The rankings are based on performance in a number of areas, including academic reputation, employer reputation, staff to student ratios, research citations and international students and faculty.

Cambridge was the only British university to make the top 40 for research citations, with three others, UCL, Oxford and Imperial, making it into the top 50.