Gang of Four
Oxford is one of four universities claimed to have a 'stranglehold' on research income, according to a survey printed in this week's Times Higher Education Supplement.
It reveals that there is a large gap between the top four earning universities and those occupying lower places. The top earner, Imperial College London, gains a total research income of £153m, with Oxford, Cambridge and University College London close behind, earning around £150 million each. In comparison, King's College earns just 60 per cent of Imperial's total income.
The 'gang of four' has been able to gain an advantage over others by investing in a research infrastructure for many decades, meaning that they can attract large, prestigious departments and gain more cash from sponsors.
However, when comparisions are made with research income earned by institutions in America, the figures seem relatively small. For example, The Johns Hopkins University, America's highest earner, received $1 billion (£566m) in 2001.
15th Jan 2004