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Oxford University marks 5th year of topping World University Rankings

Oxford University marks 5th year of topping World University Rankings -, Post a Comment

Provider
Various
Host country
United Kingdom
Region
Europe

About this scholarship

![Oxford University for African Scholars](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sidharth-bhatia-_QstzxTWnXY-unsplash.jpg) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [June 7, 2021June 4, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/06/07/) United Kingdom’s Oxford University has once again retained the Number 1 spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021, making it a five-peat win on their end. It could be noted that Oxford has garnered global attention for its dedicated efforts toward [finding a COVID-19 vaccine](https://www.research.ox.ac.uk/area/coronavirus-research/vaccine) early last year. The research-intensive university first ranked top spot in 2016, effectively breaking California Institute of Technology (CalTech)’s five-year streak since [Academic Year 2011-2012](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2012/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/undefined). With more than 1,500 universities across 93 countries and regions being ranked, the THE World University Rankings is one of the largest and most diverse university ranking systems to date. Times Higher Education makes use of [13 performance indicators](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/about-the-times-higher-education-world-university-rankings) that identify the respective institution’s core missions, across teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. “Oxford excels across all of our indicators, but its international outlook scores, in particular, stand out against world top-ten peers in the United States,” Times Higher Education Chief Knowledge Officer Phil Baty explained. Furthermore, Oxford has taken up a lead role in testing therapeutic drugs and antibodies for the vaccine. The institution also delved into novel virus detection methods, research about the impacts of the pandemic on parents as well as practical resources for families, and analysis on crisis response of global leaders. “The COVID-19 pandemic, which has posed such a threat to higher education around the world, has also demonstrated the critical role universities play in addressing global challenges,” Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson stated, as she expressed gratitude for the award. [SEE: The full Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2021/world-ranking) ### Share this: - [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=facebook&nb=1) - [Share on X (Opens in new window)X](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=twitter&nb=1) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1) - [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=linkedin&nb=1) - [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Telegram](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=telegram&nb=1) - [More](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/#) - [Print (Opens in new window)Print](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/#print?share=print&nb=1) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=reddit&nb=1) - [Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=tumblr&nb=1) - [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/oxford-university-5th-year-topping-world-university-rankings/?share=pinterest&nb=1) ### Like this: LikeLoading... ### _Related_ [World University Rankings 2022 by Times Higher Education: Results Announced](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/world-university-rankings-2022-by-times-higher-education-results-announced/ "World University Rankings 2022 by Times Higher Education: Results Announced") [SA universities named best academic institutions in Africa – THE World University Rankings 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/sa-universities-named-best-academic-institutions-in-africa-the-world-university-rankings-2022/ "SA universities named best academic institutions in Africa – THE World University Rankings 2022") [COVID-19 research boosts university citation impact scores – Times Higher Education](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/covid-19-research-boosts-university-citation-impact-scores-times-higher-education/ "COVID-19 research boosts university citation impact scores – Times Higher Education") In[COVID-19](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/covid-19/), [COVID-19 response](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/covid-19-response/), [number 1](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/number-1/), [Times Higher Education](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/times-higher-education/), [University of Oxford](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/university-of-oxford/), [World University Rankings](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/world-university-rankings/) ## One thought on “Oxford University marks 5th year of topping World University Rankings” 1. 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[Learn how your comment data is processed.](https://akismet.com/privacy/) ![Young African Leaders Initiative](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YALI-RLC.png?fit=300%2C159&ssl=1)[Previous postYALI RLC West Africa Emerging Leaders Program \| Deadline: June 16, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/yali-rlc-west-africa-emerging-leaders-program/) ![West African Students Abroad](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pexels-kampus-production-5940841.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1)[Next postUKEAS: More West Africans expressing intent to study in the UK](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/more-west-africans-study-in-uk/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [April 2, 2022April 2, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/04/02/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [March 6, 2022March 6, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/03/06/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [February 18, 2022February 18, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/02/18/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [February 7, 2022February 7, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/02/07/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [February 1, 2022January 31, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/02/01/) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [January 30, 2022January 30, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/01/30/) Search for: Close ## Discover more from Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. 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Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
  • Willing to study in United Kingdom
  • Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
  • English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
  • Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Editorial verification note

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Last checked 5/8/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Oxford University marks 5th year of topping World University Rankings?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the the stated level level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.

Is the Oxford University marks 5th year of topping World University Rankings fully funded?+

Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.