PLYMOUTH University has been ranked in the top 50 modern universities in the world.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) 100 Under 50 league, Plymouth placed at 42 – up 11 places from 2013 – of those universities under the age of 50.

Only 14 UK universities were in the list, with Plymouth the sixth highest and the top-rated of any post-1992 university in the country.

The news was revealed at the British Council-hosted Going Global 2014 event in Miami, which brought together more than 1,000 delegates, 250 speakers and 50 exhibitors from higher and further education sectors to discuss the future of global higher education.

Reflecting on the rise of Plymouth in the league table, Plymouth University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor, Wendy Purcell, said: “Older is better they say about wine and they used to say that about universities too.”

“But the emergence of an ambitious group of world-class universities is changing that perception,” she said.

“Plymouth, along with other members of this modern global elite, is formulating ways to stand out so that we can succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.”

It is the second year in succession that Plymouth has climbed the 100 Under 50 list and has now scaled 18 places since it debuted in 2012.