The University of Sussex is now 14th in the UK, 43rd in Europe and 111th in the world, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

Last year it was ranked 121st in the world and the new ratings mean it has been recognised as one of the best 125 higher education institutions globally for the fifth year running.

The university has said it is also ranked among the world’s top 100 universities for studying physical sciences, in 89th place, and social sciences, at number 79.

Vice-chancellor, professor Michael Farthing, said: "It is good to see Sussex recognised once again as one of the very top institutions in the UK and the world.

"We’ve shown remarkable adaptability in an increasingly competitive global environment – we’ve grown, innovated, and invested in our future. These rankings show that it’s vital we continue on this path.”

This is the third time since the start of September that the university has been placed among the global elite. The QS World University Rankings placed the university in the world’s top 200.

And Great Value Colleges listed it among the top 20 of the most technologically advanced universities in the world.

It also moved into the UK’s top 25 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015, published in September.

Neither the University of Brighton or the University of Chichester have been given a THE ranking.

Other top institutions have slipped places, prompting fears about the quality of higher education in the country.

The UK still has 29 institutions in the top 200, more than any other country except the United States.

Phil Baty, editor of the rankings, said that western universities “starved” of public funding are losing ground.

He said: “There is little doubt East Asian nations have emerged as powerhouses in global higher education and research.

“Overall, the UK's representation among the world's leading universities is declining.”