British universities dominate the top ten world ranking for the first time this year, with institutions in London, climbing higher than ever.

Cambridge is the highest placed British institution, coming in second only to Harvard. University College London (UCL), made the greatest gains, moving into fourth place – its position. But Oxford dropped to fifth joint with Imperial College London.

The world ranking published today in the Times Higher Education magazine, are based on academic studies and the opinions of employers on the best graduates. It also takes into account the amount of research produced by academics, students and staff relations, and the number of international students.

A spokesman for Oxford University, said his position behind Cambridge, UCL and Imperial “surprising, given that Oxford has the highest research income of any British university and has come first in every national league table.

For the first time in the six year history of the world rankings Oxbridge’s position as the top two British institutions has been broken.

The satisfaction rates of students are not taken into account in international rankings. But in the national tables, which consider the views of students, Oxford went well this year. Reached the top of both The Times and The Sunday Times rankings.

Ben Sowter, the head of research at QS, the education consultant who compiled the tables, said: “There is a growing trend in London as an international brand and this contributes to the capacity of universities to attract international students and faculty leaders. Oxford and Cambridge are always going to maintain a measure of prestige and excellence, but in the international arena, there are some different aspects that come to play. ”

Professor Malcolm Grant, UCL President, said: “We are delighted by the spectacular increase of the UCL, the tables in recent years because they do not reflect the truly exceptional quality of the UCL community of scholars and our students from around the world. ”

U.S. universities have traditionally done well in the table, but this year the number of U.S. institutions in the top 100 was reduced to 36, compared with 42 in 2008. The researchers said this reflected “the growing presence and impact of the institutions of Asia and Europe in the stage of higher education in the world.”

Universities in Asia increased their number in the ranking of 14 to 16 this year. Britain has 18 universities in the top 100, one more than in 2008.

All the ten best colleges scored between 95.9 and 100 points, so small differences in the institutions made large differences in ranking order.

Top 10 universities in the world

1. Harvard University, United States (1)

2. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (3)

3. Yale University, United States (2)

4. University College London, United Kingdom (7)

5. Imperial College London, United Kingdom (6)

6. University of Oxford, United Kingdom (4)

7. University of Chicago, United States (8)

8. Princeton University, United States (12)

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States (9)

10.California Institute of Technology (Caltech), United States (5)

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