Oxford is the second-best university in the world, but other British institutions have been overtaken by American and Asian competitors.
Britain has the second highest number of universities in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with 31 in the top 200. America has 76.
But many renowned institutions have slid down the table, or dropped out altogether. Cambridge slipped one place to seventh, and Imperial College London remained in eighth spot.
American institutions made up the other places in the top ten, with the California Institute of Technology in first place.
Bristol fell eight places to 74, Sussex fell 11 places and Sheffield nine places to become joint 110. Leeds was also nine places lower at joint 142. Birmingham fell ten places