The Top 5 Universities in the UK

I'm basing my ranking on The Guardian's  University league table 2011:

Let's take a closer look at the current Top 5.

1) Oxford: Everyone knows it's a neverending battle between the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge for acknowledgement as the UK's No. 1 University, and it looks like this year Oxford has just taken the lead.

Pros:                                                      

• Beautiful city
• 39 colleges and seven private halls, all with their own quirks and characteristics.
• In recent years, Oxford have been trouncing Cambridge at the top end of the student sports league   
• Almost everyone can live in College for at least two years, which is far cheaper than renting in town
•  Each College has its own JCR – a mini-union that co-ordinates ents and plenty of societies
  

Cons:

• The clubbing scene is practically non-existant.
• ^ Not much time for going out anyway...
  
•  City housing is expensive

2) Cambridge                                             

Pros:                                                                  

• Beautiful city
• Contains some of the best academic resources around – the Uni Library is one of six copyright libraries in the country
• You get an MA with every honours degree!
• Like Oxford, each College’s JCR (mini-union) looks after its own students' welfare and entertainment
• 8 week terms!
  

Cons:

• Its student union is one of the poorest and has the lowest profile.
• Intense academic lifestyle
  

3) Warwick

     Pros:                                              

• With more clubs than any other university and a jam-packed social calendar, students aren’t short of something to fill their spare time with
• The University has the largest Art Centre outside London
• Brand new student union has just been built, including a new pub, bars and clubs
• Great Sports facilities
• With housing for all, first years have no need to leave campus
• The campus environment, or 'bubble' as it is often referred to, creates a feeling of a close-knit community
• Second and third years get to live in the beautiful Royal Leamington Spa

Cons:

• Leamington Spa is a good 30 minute bus ride away from campus, and the town of Coventry (which is much closer) is otherwise known as Chaventry...
• 'The Bubble' can get a little claustrophobic and is not to everyone's taste



4) St Andrews

Pros:                                                      

• Sandy beaches, rocky coast and glorious countryside make St Andrews a particuarly scenic location 
• University buildings are also reflect the area’s heritage with some architecture dating as far back as the 15th century.
• The student body are a close-knit community and on arrival undergrads acquire ‘student families’ who offer academic guidance 
• All first years are guaranteed halls and self-catering kitchens come complete with dishwashers!
• Excellent sports facilities
• If you're interested in Golf, this is certainly the place for you, with 7 golf courses in the local vicinity

Cons:

• Unfortunately, golf is about all there is to do in this tiny little town... Students make up a third of its population, and there are no actual clubs.

5) UCL

Pros:                                                  

• There'd never be a dull moment with diverse London on your doorstep
  
• The SU’s has 8 lively bars and the Bloomsbury Theatre attracts big professional names as well as student productions
• Sport has a high profile
  
• Reputation for academic excellence accross a wide range of subjects
  

Cons:

• Living and accommodation costs are sky high, as expected in central London
• Acommodation is scattered around London and there is no campus or community feel