The historic universities of Oxford and Cambridge have failed to get into the top three in a prestigious annual university ranking for the first time, reigniting concerns about social engineering in higher education.
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 placed the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) first for the second year in a row, followed by the University of St Andrews in Scotland second and Durham University in third.
Oxford and Cambridge were joint fourth - the first time neither have held a place in the top three in the 32 years the Times has produced its guide.
Last year Oxford was ranked third, while Cambridge was already sitting at fourth.
Both slipped down last year when the LSE leapt to first place from fourth and St Andrews came second.
