In some subjects, UK universities are world-beaters, ahead even of the most prestigious US universities.
Some 110 UK universities appear in these subject rankings, which look at 30 disciplines.
Of these 65 UK universities are in the global top 200 for at least one subject.
Her major projects are being carried out in partnership with the UK Universities of Exeter and Cambridge.
UNESCO: House | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The figure emerged as a number of UK universities joined forces to launch a separate online project.
The number of part-time students enrolled at UK universities fell across the board last year, figures show.
Meanwhile Universities UK, the umbrella body for UK universities, said it regretted "the BBC's approach in this matter".
The Liberal Democrat manifesto stated "we will ... abolish tuition fees for all Scottish students at UK universities".
Mr Gray claimed that top of the list was one of the smallest UK universities, Abertay in Dundee.
Figures published recently showed a 25% drop in the numbers of Indian students entering UK universities last year.
Mr O'Leary said teaching in English also gave UK universities a big advantage, particularly in attracting international students.
Applications to UK universities have soared by more than a fifth, increasing pressure on places for courses starting in the autumn.
The author of a report on international higher education has questioned whether UK universities can remain world leaders without more funding.
The fund aims to provide capital to the most promising life science technologies, including those being spun-out from leading UK universities.
Experts from UK universities and museums are to attend the meeting in York along with the maker of a replica ring.
Two more UK universities have agreed to treat Guernsey and Jersey students as if they were UK students when fees change in September.
Universities UK - formerly the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals - is made up of the executive heads of all UK universities.
Jersey's education officials are currently in talks with UK universities over the fees island students will pay when they increase fees in 2012.
In December all other UK universities agreed to treat students from the Crown Dependencies, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, as UK students.
The accolade is the university's highest rank in the guide, with only Cambridge and Oxford above it out of 126 UK universities and colleges.
If UK universities do, in fact, see a drop in enrollments of international students, it could put some additional pressures on some of these institutions.
Professor Steve Smith, president of the organisation, which represents all UK universities, said funding is already "strongly weighted towards world leading research and internationally excellent research".
The RAE is an independent assessment of the quality of research in UK universities and is carried out on behalf of the higher education funding bodies.
The data, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa), showed overall student numbers at UK universities remained stable at just under two and a half million.
According to these tables, the UK is the best country to take a degree in geography, with UK universities dominating the global top 10 for this subject.
The pursuit of overseas students has become big business - with UK universities competing with higher education institutions in countries such as the United States and Australia.
BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Overseas students 'one in seven'
Imperial College London was ranked as the world leader in civil engineering, while 17 other UK universities were in the world top 20 for at least one subject.
The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals of the UK universities (CVCP) said it was itself undertaking a comprehensive study of the long-term funding options for higher education.
Recruiting fairs are held in Asian countries to promote interest in UK universities - and campuses of UK universities have opened in countries such as China and Malaysia.
BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Overseas students 'one in seven'
Sir Steve, the outgoing president of Universities UK - the body representing UK universities - said the government had introduced a market for A-level students with the best grades.
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