Exeter is ranked at 130th in the world in the THE World University Rankings.

Global rankings rate Exeter in top 200 of world universities

The University of Exeter has remained in the top 200 of universities worldwide in a respected global league table released today, 5 September 2017.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings place Exeter at 130th in the world, and at sixteenth in the UK (up from 17 last year). The “international outlook” of the University is on the rise, with an increase in international staff, students, and world-leading research that links academics across the globe. 

There are more than 4,000 international students studying at the University’s campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, totalling around 18% of the student body. The University employs more than 940 international staff, which is more than 20% of the workforce and increasingly steadily.

The reputation of the University’s research is growing worldwide; this year the Leiden University World Rankings, based on citations of research, position Exeter 35th internationally, 8th in Europe and 6th in the UK.

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor said: “Exeter is well-placed to strengthen our international reputation and position among the best universities in the world.  Although these latest rankings show a slight fall of just four places we have an overriding upwards trajectory in the last ten years, having risen from a ranking of 266th in 2008.  We are committed to attracting academics from leading institutions around the world, and growing our world-leading research, as well as welcoming students from more than 140 countries.”

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, founded in 2004, is a respected list of the world's best universities, evaluated across teaching, research, international outlook, reputation and more. The UK’s universities have traditionally scored highly in the rankings, and this year Oxford and Cambridge claim the top two places.

Dr Tim Bradshaw, Acting Director of the Russell Group said: "These results serve as a timely reminder that higher education remains one of the UK's biggest success stories and one of our most valuable export industries. Russell Group universities, in particular, are holding their position near or at the top of the rankings despite increasing competition from other established and emerging nations. This is evidence that they retain an enviable global reputation for providing outstanding teaching and genuinely world-class research.  Our leading universities will have a crucial role to play in enabling the UK to thrive and prosper in a post-Brexit world. They are one of the most important drivers of inward investment and local, regional and national growth through the flow of talent and ideas.”

Date: 5 September 2017