Harper Adams, a British agricultural university, managed to climb 21st place in one of the main tables of the national league - from 48th to 27th place.

The main table of the university league includes 131 educational institutions and is based on 10 indicators:

1. Access standards;
2. Student satisfaction;
3. Quality research;
4. Research intensity;
5. Graduate perspectives;
6. Student to teacher ratio;
7. Costs of academic services;
8. Expenses for student services;
9. Honors degrees;
10. Completion.

The leading position in the table was taken by Cambridge University, ahead of rivals from the University of Oxford. Third place went to Andrews University.

Welcoming the news of the sharp drop in the ranking, Professor Peter Mills, Deputy Vice-Rector, Harper Adams University, said: "I am proud of the achievements of the university staff and students in all respects."

Harper Adams University was also awarded the annual WhatUni Student Choice Award for the fourth time in a row the other day.

Dr. Bernard Kingston, chairman of TheCompleteUniversityGuide.co.uk, said: “Evidence is obvious: increased attention, including funding, to employment and career planning in academic departments and student services is bearing fruit.”