We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The slump has been attributed to unchecked expansion, over-stretched budgets and the effects of Brexit. Data formed by research group QS has shown nearly three-quarters of UK universities have dropped in the rankings. Statistics reveal the drop is the country’s worst-ever performance in the table.

In the minority of universities that climbed the league ladder, Imperial College London jumped up by one spot into eighth.

However, it was the only UK university in the top 20 to improve on the year before.

Oxford University dropped one place into fifth, whilst University College London slipped two places to 10th.

Cambridge maintained their seventh spot, alongside the University of Edinburgh who held 20th place.

It is thought a combination of poor teaching and a decline in research resources is the reason for the sinking results.

Of the UK’s 84 ranked universities, 66 had a dip with staff to student radio.

Meanwhile, 59 universities had a fall in research citations.

Numbers of international students also dropped at 51 universities.

Figures show that drops in UK universities reflect the situation in North American and European countries.

Ben Sowter, director of research at QS, attributes the falls to increasing expenditure in higher education across the world.

However, Sowter revealed Brexit, budget cuts and mass expansion have contributed to a downfall for UK Universities.

DON’T MISS

UK universities join the NHS in efforts to meet testing target

Oxford University vaccine trial: How to register

University exams cancelled: Are universities still open? Will I pass?

Sowter said: “Investment in teaching capacity would serve the British higher education sector well, and help it to regain lost ground.

So, too, would concerted efforts to ensure that Britain continues to remain an attractive place for talented academics and students to study in the future, and a national desire to continue collaborating with our European and global partners on transformative research projects.”

This comes after the British Council research predicted universities finances are set to fall this academic year.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected domestic and international student numbers as the council estimated 14,000 fewer international students will enrol in September.

A similar survey also revealed that 1 in 5 UK applicants was entertaining the prospect of deferring.

The drop in numbers could result in 460million in losses for universities.

Source: Read Full Article