The University of Cambridge has secured the top spot ahead of Oxford University in Times Higher Education’s fifth annual ‘Table of Tables’. Based on the combined results of the UK’s university league tables, Cambridge retained its number one status after ousting its varsity rival from pole position for the first time last year.

Cambridge sealed its triumph over its old foe after it was judged the UK’s top university by The Complete University Guide and in rankings published by The Guardian. Oxford took first place in the Good University Guide, published by The Times.

The London School of Economics took third place in the Table of Tables, but closed the gap on second place, finishing ahead of Oxford in The Complete University Guide. The University of St. Andrews cemented its place at fourth in the Table of Tables, with Durham University completing the top five at the expense of Imperial College London, which fell to seventh.

One big winner is the University of Surrey, which has risen seven places from 26 to 19, thanks largely to its 12th-placed finish in The Guardian’s ranking. Heriot-Watt University enters the full top 30 thanks to its 20th-place position in the Guardian table, while Royal Holloway, University of London, makes its debut after scoring highly with The Times (27) and The Complete University Guide (26).

The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, suffered a dramatic slide in the annual listing, dropping out of the top 30 from rank 18 last year.

(Excerpted and adapted from Times Higher Education)