The list published today is topped by Harvard University for the eighth year in a row, with the University of California, Berkeley second and Stanford University third.

The UK¡¯s highest-ranked institution is the University of Cambridge in fifth place, followed by the University of Oxford (10th), University College London (21st) and Imperial College London (26th).

Unlike the forthcoming Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Shanghai Jiao Tong list is based almost entirely on scientific research strength.

É«ºÐÖ±²¥ has radically overhauled its rankings methodology for 2010 in response to concerns that the old approach relied too heavily on subjective opinion.

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The new methodology is being developed in conjunction with data partner Thomson Reuters and promises to be more sophisticated, transparent and rigorous. Among the changes is the introduction of a 30 per cent weighting for a new ¡°teaching and learning environment¡± measure, including the first teaching reputation score in the global rankings field.

For more details: www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/worlduniversityrankings2010

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john.gill@tsleducation.com

? Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities: