Oxford tops among varsities for eighth year in a row

With better faculty and student facilities, Oxford has retained its top position among Britain's leading universities for the eighth successive time this year, leaving behind Cambridge.

According to the latest Times Good University Guide, better staffing levels and degree classifications as well as higher spending on student facilities helped Oxford to stretch its lead over Cambridge, which had better record on research.

Cambridge also ranked first in 35 subjects, while Oxford achieved first place in nine.

The Times Good University Guide 2010, ranks 114 universities according to eight criteria, including student satisfaction and research quality.

Only a dozen universities outside Oxbridge lead any of the 62 tables and most are for subjects that are not offered by the two institutions.

Of the remaining universities, Loughborough holds the highest number of top places, in four subjects. Outside Oxbridge, Sheffield makes the top ten for the largest number of subjects, with 27.

St Andrews remains the top university in Scotland, while Cardiff leads in Wales.