G5 (British Universities)

The G5 group of British universities refers to an unofficial group of five British universities that are known to GeneRally dominate the top 5 positions in United Kingdom league tables, the most well-known of which are that of The Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Times.

The phrase, which was originally coined by The Times Higher Education Supplement, has come into popular use with particular regard to top-up fees, funding and university exclusivity. The five universities are:

• University of Cambridge

Established in c. 1209 this is the second oldest University in the English Speaking World. Endowment: £4.1 billion

• Imperial College

From 1907- 2007 Imperial College was part of the University of London - now independent it teaches Science, Engineering and Medicine. It has recently opened a Business School and Humanities Department. Endowment: £47 million

• University College London

London's oldest University and one of the founder members of the University of London, UCL was the first non- religious University in the United Kingdom. Endowment: £97.1 million

• London School of Economics and Political Science

The LSE describes itself as 'the world‘s leading social science institution for teaching and research'. It is a single- faculty University within the University of London.

• University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest University in the English Speaking World. As well as being the 'City of Dreaming Spires' it is home to the Rhodes Scholarships which bring International Post- graduate students to the UK. Endowment: £3.6 billion.

Both Oxford and Cambridge consist of around 30 colleges within which are accommodation and teaching facilities

THES World Rankings

Oxford: 2nd Place

Cambridge: 2nd Place

Imperial College: 5th Place

UCL: 9th Place

The LSE was ranked 3rd for Social Sciences

See also

• League tables of British universities
• Russell Group