Uni of Manchester and Man Met drop places in 2025 world ranking

University of Manchester has been ranked 53rd in the world in the new Times Higher Education ranking.

Beating Durham and Exeter in the list, the university was one of thousands of higher education institutions placed.

Manchester is one of just 25 UK universities that made the top 200.

The list assesses universities based on five variables: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry.

The University of Manchester scored highest for business and economics, at 32nd. Manchester Metropolitan University ranked between 401-500th for the same school.

Universities of Oxford and Cambridge retained spots in the top 10.

Manchester Metropolitan University was assessed and placed in the 601-800th category, amongst the likes of Nottingham Trent University and University of Lincoln.

Despite the recent change from the University of Bolton to the University of Greater Manchester, the Bolton-based institution did not place in the ranking.

The list remains controversial amongst some academics, with Tania Rhodes-Taylor of King’s College London reflecting: “Reputation used to be something that institutions didn’t talk about – it was seen as a bit cringe.

“But a top 200 placing – certainly a top 100 placing – in the ranking makes a huge difference to international undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment. In some cases, governments won’t sponsor students unless it’s a top 100 university.

“Why does Cambridge or Oxford finish in the top two for the UK most years? Some will argue it’s heritage or history but there is still incredible science happening there.. Academics notice these things too, even if they don’t strictly fall into their subjects.”

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