Skip to content
Monday 20 July 2026EN · DE
City PM

European business, markets and politics

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
Tuesday 14 June 2016 9:56 am

The UK is home to more innovative universities than just one other country

By: Lynsey Barber

Add as a preferred source on Google

The UK is home to more innovative universities than any other country in Europe apart from Germany, a new ranking reveals.

World-renowned Oxford and Cambridge ranked third and eighth, respectively, in a new list compiled by Reuters. But it's Imperial College which topped the list of UK universities, coming in at number two just behind KU Leuven in Belgium.

The UK boasts 17 of the 100 most innovative universities in Europe, just shy of Germany's 24.

Read more: These are the most innovative businesses in the UK

Manchester, Dundee, The University of London and Edinburgh were also among the UK institutions to make the list.

The most innovative UK universities in Europe

UK ranking University Overall ranking
1 Imperial College  2
2 Cambridge 3
3 Oxford 8
4 Manchester 17
5 Dundee 18
6 University of London 30
7 Edinburgh 32
8 Cardiff 45
9 Birmingham 53
10 Leeds 56
11 Sheffield 59
12 Nottingham 70
13 Southampton 77
14 Bristol 81
15 St Andrews 82
16 Warwick 84
17 Belfast 87

The institutions were ranked on 10 different metrics, including published academic papers and patent filings from an initial analysis of more than 600 organisations.

Read more: OMG! Buzzfeed most innovative company in the world

All were identified by Reuters as the best in the world producing "original research, creating useful technology and stimulating the global economy."

In the broader Times Higher Education ranking of top universities, the UK dominated. 

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Tech

Trending Articles

  • Revealed: KPMG and Deloitte offer bumper redundancy packages to slash headcount

  • Octopus tells Burnham to ‘cut bills’ with £189 energy plan

  • Citroën 2CV returns as a £13,000 electric car, and the timing is no accident

  • Renault 5 E-Tech 2025 three month review – first impressions

  • Thames Water creditors open door to public control under Burnham

More from City PM

  • Starmer weighs cut to EU student fees in bid for Brexit reset

    Politics
    Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at a press conference addressing future leadership rumours, wearing a navy suit and tie.
  • UK Pupils and Students Aren’t the Only Ones Feeling Exam Pressure – Universities Are Too, with £2Bn at Stake

    Business Wire
  • One in three defence firms ‘can’t find graduates to hire’ 

    Industrials
    Oxford University spinouts showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship in a business setting
  • Sultan Bin Ahmed Attends Media Master’s Graduation in Spain

    Business Wire
  • London Tech Week day two: Talent alone won’t be enough

    Opinion
    Getty Images gallery showcasing recent business trends and innovations in technology with diverse professionals collaborating
  • Mahmood unveils refugee sponsorship route as asylum bill faces Labour test

    Politics
  • The Debate: Should Britain set up a No 10 North?

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham supporters rallying with banners and signs at a political event, showcasing enthusiasm and solidarity
  • AviadoBio Expands vMiX™ Precision Gene Silencing Platform Exclusive License Agreement with King’s College London Beyond Neurological Diseases to All Human Therapeutic Areas

    Business Wire

City PM — European politics, business and analysis.

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • UK & Ireland

Topics

  • Business
  • Markets
  • AI
  • Technology
  • Opinion
  • Energy

More

  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Fintech
  • Legal
  • Sport
  • Life

Company

  • About City PM
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 City PM · Published by CityPM Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
About · Editorial Policy · Corrections · Contact · Privacy · Facebook