OXFORD University has been ranked as the world’s best institution for medical and health teaching for the seventh consecutive year.

The Times Higher Education World University Ranking is based on criteria measuring teaching, research and industry income. These are combined to provide a comparison of universities worldwide.

There are about 5,000 full-time equivalent researchers, teachers and staff across the Medical Sciences Division at Oxford, as well as 1,500 graduate and 1,500 undergraduate students.

Professor Gavin Screaton, Head of the Medical Sciences Division, said: ‘Oxford is a special place because of the close relationship between research, teaching and clinical treatments.

“Medical Sciences at Oxford is world leading, and we will continue to focus on its future development for the benefit of our students and staff, as well as the patients who will continue to benefit from the excellent research which is constantly transforming lives.”

The division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, carrying out a substantial number of clinical trials to develop new treatments and to improve patient care and safety.

Both research and clinical trials are supported by a network of international research units in Africa and Asia, as well as close partnerships with the Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trusts.

This enables constant improvements to the university’s research and teaching.