RAE (Research Assessment Exercise, Research Assessment) is the most authoritative report on the ranking of UK universities, completed by four institutions: HEFCE, SHEFC, HEFCW and DELNI, with a report issued about once every seven years and the latest edition in 2008.2008 rankings, ranked in the top 10 in order:, Oxford University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Manchester, University of Warwick, University of York, University of Essex, University of Edinburgh