FIVE of Scotland’s fifteen universities have been named among the top 200 in the world.

Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Aberdeen and Dundee have all made it into the top flight of the Times Higher Education’s (THE) world university rankings.

Another seven Scottish universities made the top 1000, representing the top five per cent of higher education institutions in the world.

Professor Andrea Nolan from Universities Scotland said the body “couldn’t be prouder” of their members’ place in the rankings.

“Higher education is a Scottish ‘jewel’ and a national asset that competes very successfully around the world because of its quality and brings the benefit of that internationalisation home. It’s an outstanding achievement that delivers for the whole of Scotland,” she said.

“No-one in Scottish higher education is complacent about our performance. Competition is fierce with other countries snapping at our heels because they have chosen to invest significantly in their university sectors.”

Oxford held the number one spot for the second year in a row, while Cambridge jumped from fourth to second place.

Edinburgh University was at 27, the same position it held last year, while Glasgow managed to climb eight places to 88.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of the University of Glasgow, said he was delighted to see his institution rise in the global rankings.

He added: “This news underlines the strength and quality of teaching, as well as recognising the tremendous student experience that we offer.

“The rankings rise comes as we embark on a £1 billion redevelopment and expansion of our main campus.

“The new facilities will be truly world leading and further confirm Glasgow as a global centre for learning, teaching and research.”

St Andrews fell 30 places from 110 last year to 143 this year.

A spokesman for the university said they were “a little disappointed”, but pointed out that the top 200 was “really tightly packed” with “the smallest change in score” making a huge change in rankings.

“It’s important to point out that St Andrews is currently the UK’s University of the Year for Teaching Quality, we have a TEF Gold Award, are consistently judged among the top three in other prestigious rankings, and are joint top of the UK National Student Survey for the 9th time in 11 years,” the spokesman said.

“The THE [ranking] is considerably out of step with these findings which may be a far more reliable and comprehensive reflection of an institution’s strengths,” she added.

Aberdeen University climbed three places from 188 to 185, and Professor Ian Diamond, the university’s principal, said: “It is encouraging to see such positive results in these latest rankings.

“We are committed to growing as an international institution with a global outlook and these results are further evidence of that.

“It is also reassuring to see that our reputation for world-class research impact continues to grow.”

Dundee University fell seven places to 180.

Phil Baty, editor of the THE World University Rankings, said the universities would have to work hard if they wanted to stay at the top: “The rise of Chinese universities and other East Asian nations following successful excellence initiatives is a characteristic of the rankings, so you have to run fast just to stand still in these rankings.”

Stirling, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, the University of the West of Scotland, Edinburgh Napier, Glasgow Caledonian and Robert Gordon’s were the other Scottish universities to make the top 1000.