The number of UK universities under 50 years old which are ranked in the world's top 100 has dropped, amid warnings of increasing competition from Asia.
There are 14 UK institutions in the 100 best universities under 50 years old, compared to 18 last year and 20 in 2012, a Times Higher Education (THE) magazine rankings has shown.
The UK had the most universities in the league table last year, but it now shares this position with Australia. Only one UK institution features in the top 10 of the list, Lancaster University, which climbs from 14th last year to 10th place.
The highest placed universities after Lancaster are the University of Warwick, up one place to 12th, the University of Essex, up to 22nd from joint 29th, Brunel University up to 29th from 44th and the University of Bath which remains static at joint 34th.
Only two out of the UK institutions on the list were founded after the 1960s, both former polytechnics that gained university status under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Plymouth University moves up to joint 42nd from joint 53rd, while the University of Hertfordshire rises 15 places to joint 60th.
Scotland's top representative in the rankings is Heriot-Watt University, at 52nd, up from 63rd, overtaking the University of Stirling which now stands at 56th, rising from joint 61st.
The University of Strathclyde - up one place to 78th - is the country's only other top 100 institution.
Story continues below gallery..
15 Of The World's Most Beautiful Universities
University of Cambridge, UK.(01 of15)
Open Image ModalEstablished in the early 13th Century, Cambridge is regarded as very beautiful, and also one of the best universities in the world. The most famous building at Cambridge, King’s College Chapel, is a great example of Gothic architecture.
University of Cape Town, South Africa.(02 of15)
Open Image ModalSet against the unique background of natural South Africa, Cape Town University is the second oldest university in Africa. The main campus area is located near the slopes of Devil’s Peak, with the mountains looming ominously above the main buildings. There's also lions on campus. Maybe.
Pepperdine University, America.(03 of15)
Open Image ModalOverlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California, Pepperdine is hard to beat when it comes to breath-taking views. Its iconic Mediterranean architecture adds to the coastal feel of the campus, making it a very lovely place to study. (credit:faculty.pepperdine.edu)
Moscow State Building, Russia.(04 of15)
Open Image ModalThe statuesque main building of Moscow State stands apart from the rest. Its stately features are reflected it a pool at its base—though relatively young, the university is still a striking feature of Moscow, along with the bears.
University of Otago, New Zealand(05 of15)
Open Image ModalSituated in the already picturesque New Zealand, this university’s campus simply builds off of the natural beauty around it. The buildings combine both the old and new, while blending seamlessly with the green spaces and the Leith River winding through the heart of campus. It also has lovely blossoms, as you can see.
University of Oxford, UK.(06 of15)
Open Image ModalGoing back to Old Blighty, Oxford is a rather attractive university. Although it does not have a central ‘campus,’ its 38 unique colleges are each beautiful in their own respect. Highlights include Christchurch, Magdalen College, and New College. Centuries of various architecture can be found within meters of each other, and it truly makes visiting Oxford a magical experience.
The Queens University of Belfast, Northern Ireland(07 of15)
Open Image ModalThe face of the university, the Lanyon Building, was built in 1849 in the Tudor Gothic style. Though not all of the university buildings adhere to this aesthetic, the red brick provides a warm welcome to all those who visit.
Mount Holyoke College, America.(08 of15)
Open Image ModalNestled in Massachusetts, the all-female college campus was built starting in the 1890s. Features include stunning waterfalls, lakes, riding trails, and even a designated botanic garden.
The University of Sydney, Australia.(09 of15)
Open Image ModalThe oldest university in Australia, the engaging Sydney University campus is spread across two suburbs. Architecture ranges from modern to Neogothic, the style of the Quadrangle and Great Tower buildings seen here.
Xiamen University, China.(10 of15)
Open Image ModalSituated by the Xiamen bay, the campus backs up into the foothills of green mountains. Serene views and a mix of modern and classic Chinese architecture greet visitors to the campus, which is one of the main tourist attractions in Xiamen. Which is in the southeast of China.
Aarhus University, Denmark.(11 of15)
Open Image ModalPlanned and constructed in the 1930s while still continuing construction into today, Aarhus University is one of the more recent universities on the list. The campus has a unified, cohesive look, achieved by fabricating all buildings with a yellow brick. Its location among a hilly park forms an inviting place to take a stroll.
University of Virginia, America.(12 of15)
Open Image ModalThe quintessential southern US university, UVA is known for its Jeffersonian architecture, broad green spaces, and use of red brick throughout the campus. Its main building and symbol of the university, The Rotunda, showcases white columns and has inspired similar architecture across the United States.
University of Rostock, Germany.(13 of15)
Open Image ModalRostock is one of the oldest universities in the world, with its beginnings dating back to 1419. However, it has continued to develop in the 21st Century with modern buildings like the library contrasting with older architecture for the main building and the Institute of Anatomy.
Wroclaw University of Technology, Poland.(14 of15)
Open Image ModalWith buildings spreading throughout the city of Wroclaw, this university has diverse range of building types with emphasis on modernist designs. Its main facilities are clustered near the calm Oder River.
Peking University, China.(15 of15)
Open Image ModalThe unique aspect of this campus is its location—the former Qing Dynasty royal gardens. Many beautiful traditional Chinese structures, such as pagodas, bridges, houses and gardens remain because of this historical link, and many travel to northwest Beijing to tour the campus.
The steep decline in the UK's representation on the list was fuelled by a concentration of "plate glass" universities established in the UK in the early 1960s, according to the THE.
York University, which was in seventh place last year, is no longer eligible for the league rankings, nor is the University of East Anglia, which was in 16th place, as they have 1963 foundation dates.
The league table showed the US was the second best represented country in the top 100, with eight institutions.
The best represented Asian nation in terms of numbers was Taiwan, with four representatives, down from five.
Hong Kong still has three institutions on the list, all in the top 30, despite losing an institution because of age.
Its best performer, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, keeps its fourth place position and the City University of Hong Kong moves up one position to joint 17th, while Hong Kong Polytechnic University rises four places to 30th.
South Korea has only two institutions in the list, Pohang University of Science and Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology but they occupy first and third position respectively.
Singapore has one representative - Nanyang Technological University - but it occupies fifth position.
Phil Baty, THE rankings editor, said: "The UK shares the accolade of being the best-represented nation in the 100 Under 50, with 14 institutions.
"Given that the country is globally renowned for its venerable universities - both the ancient Oxbridge elite and the Victorian red bricks - this demonstrates the strength in depth of the UK system, showing that the 1960s generation are thriving on the world stage, often exceeding the performance of their elders - but not betters.
"But there are warning signs.
"All but two of the UK's representatives in the list were founded in the 1960s while the ranking is dominated by much younger and higher-placed institutions from strengthening economies that have focused resources on building world-class universities, developing genuine global competitors such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and the Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea.
"Competition is only going to intensify as more nations and institutions join the race - the UK must work hard not to be left behind."