Russell Group statement on Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities

21-8-2013 — /EuropaWire/ —  Commenting on the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities, Russell Group Director General Dr Wendy Piatt, said:

“No one should use league tables alone to judge the quality of education and research at universities. However these tables do show that the UK outperforms many other nations – with nine in the top 100 we are second only to the USA.

“But with only 0.7% of GDP publicly invested in universities, Britain’s spending on higher education lags behind most other Western European nations, the USA, China, Russia and Brazil.

“Our leading universities are highly efficient and we are pleased that the Government recognised their value in the last spending review. But politicians should not be complacent – without investment we may struggle to compete in the future with other nations who have recognised the value of higher education and research in leading economic recovery and producing sustainable growth.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Academic Ranking of World Universities can be found here.

2. Read our policy report Jewels in the crown: The importance and characteristics of the UK’s world-class universities.