Crime & Safety
Oxford University named best in the world in four subjects
The University of Oxford secured the top places in the rankings for Anatomy and Physiology, Anthropology, Geography and Modern Languages.
This makes it the UK university with the most courses ranked as the very best in the world.
It also came first in the world overall in the arts and humanities subject area, and scored in the top three university in four out of the five broad subject areas which were ranked.
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Oxford’s vice-chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci said: “Oxford’s strength is based on the breadth and depth of our scholarship, and these latest QS subject rankings are a powerful affirmation of that enduring commitment to support all disciplines.
“To see four of our subjects ranked first in the world is a remarkable achievement, and one that reflects the dedication of our academic community.
“That we are the UK university with the most subjects ranked top globally speaks not only to excellence, but to the collaborative, curiosity-driven culture that underpins our fundamental and translational work.
“I am particularly delighted that Oxford has also been recognised as number one in the world for Arts and Humanities overall.
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“At a moment when we are launching our new centre for the Humanities alongside an ambitious Arts and Cultural Programme, this is both a timely endorsement and a reminder of the vital role that the humanities play in helping us understand ourselves, our societies, and our shared future.
“As a university, we honour our intellectual heritage while continually renewing it – ensuring that our teaching and research serve the world with insight, creativity, and purpose.”
The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject features 55 individual subjects across five broad subject areas, and analysed the performance of more than 1700 universities from across the globe.
It comes as Oxford earlier this year ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education subject rankings for Medicine and Computer Science, the eight year in a row its been top for both subjects.
In the QS World Subject Rankings, Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment ranked number one for the 16th year in a row, out of 251 institutions featured, while the department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics has been first for seven consecutive years.
The School of Anthropology returns to the number one spot for the 4th time in 5 years, and Modern Languages topped the subject ranking for the first time since 2022 this year, having been ranked second each of the last three years.
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Professor Dan Grimley, head of the humanities division at the university, said he is ‘delighted’ that the department’s strength had been recognised.
He said: “Outstanding research and expertise from the humanities is critical to tackling the major challenges of the 21st century.
“We also hear from our graduates and their employers that the skills they learned studying the humanities give them an advantage in navigating professional careers which are being impacted by AI in new and uncertain ways.”
Government departments are reminding claimants to check their payment dates so they’re not caught off guard by early deposits over long weekends.
Child Benefit is normally paid on Mondays and Tuesdays, so anyone due a payment on Easter Monday should get it early.
“We always move payments forward when a bank holiday falls on the usual day, so people get their money in time,” a DWP spokesperson said.
Easter 2026: April payments moved forward
For many households, Easter will bring an early arrival of money.
Payments due April 6 2026 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on April 2 2026.
HMRC and DWP explain that bank holidays mean banks are closed, so payments are brought forward to ensure claimants still have access to funds.
May and spring bank holidays
Other early payments this spring include:
- 4 May → 1 May (early May bank holiday)
- 25 May → 22 May (spring bank holiday)
This affects pensioners, Universal Credit recipients, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, and other regular payments.
Summer and autumn changes
Later in 2026, further adjustments apply depending on location:
- 3 August → 4 August (Scotland only)
- 4 August → 5 August (Scotland only)
- 31 August → 28 August (all UK)
- 28 December → 24 December
- 29 December → 30 December (Northern Ireland only)
Regional public holidays in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee) and Northern Ireland can also affect payment timing.
Why DWP payments change
The DWP and HMRC adjust schedules to ensure that:
- Claimants receive money before the bank closes
- There is no gap in essential support
- Payments arrive predictably despite long weekends
However, claimants should remember that after early payments, the next payment will follow the normal schedule, which may create a slightly longer gap between instalments.
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How to check your payment
- Look at your bank statement – payments normally appear with references like “DWP Pension” or “HMRC Child Benefit”
- For those on Universal Credit, check the online account for exact payment dates
- If a payment seems late, check with your bank first, then contact the DWP or HMRC if necessary
“Knowing when payments will arrive helps households manage their budgets, especially around busy bank holiday weekends,” a DWP spokesperson said.
The 65-year-old former Top Gear and Grand Tour host is to guest star as the auctioneer at his local lido in Chipping Norton.
Mr Clarkson, a resident of Chadlington on his 1,000-acre farm Diddly Squat, has been a regular at Chipping Norton Lido for some years.
Last year, he helped raise £15,500 for the community-run swimming pool and the year prior it was £13,500 with Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper’s promise of a personal tractor lesson in Mr Clarkson’s Lamborghini tractor the highest ticket of the night.
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The latest auction is to happen on Friday, May 8 at Chipping Norton Town Hall.
A spokesman for the auction said: “Catch him while you can – Jeremy Clarkson is returning for one last outing as auctioneer raising vital funds for The Lido.
“Our Auction of Promises will take place on Friday 8 May in Chipping Norton Town Hall and features a host of promises ranging from a clutch of Scotch eggs to the chance to see Jack Savoretti in concert and meet him backstage.
“Tickets are on sale now for what is always a highly entertaining night in a very good cause.”
Among previous items for sale was a conation from Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, who lives in nearby Kingham.
He donated a Blue Monday Cheese plus tickets to his food and music event The Big Feastival.
James Alder and Brendon Shamu were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, March 27.
Alder, 21, of Limborough Road, Wantage, and Shamu, 27, of Field Gardens, Steventon, near Abingdon, were both charged with drug dealing offences in Abingdon between October 1 last year and January 23 this year.
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Both men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin.
Shamu also pleaded guilty to being in possession of criminal property, namely £8,795 in cash.
The court heard they were involved with a county drugs line called the Dior Line.
Shamu was jailed for a total of 49 months and Alder for three years.
Orders were made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, paraphernalia, phones and cash.
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