University of Glasgow climbs in QS world rankings

The University of Glasgow has climbed 18 places in an international league table of higher education institutions.

Glasgow is now 59th in the QS World University Rankings, ahead of St Andrews which is in 97th place.

The University of Edinburgh is the highest ranked Scottish institution moving up two places to 20th position.

Principal of Glasgow, Professor Anton Muscatelli, said it had confirmed its position as one of the world's leading universities.

The QS rankings assess factors including reputation, graduate employability, research and staff-student ratios.

The survey looked at 600 institutions.

Prof Muscatelli said: "This is our best ever performance in the QS World University rankings.

"Being in the top 1% of world universities is fantastic, and is a tribute to our tremendously hard working staff, researchers and students.

"The University of Glasgow will continue to provide what we are sure, and what the QS World Survey has recognised, is one of the best teaching and research environments in the world."

Cambridge University held its top place in the international league table after ending Harvard's six-year lead in last year's rankings.