Figures capturing university’s position in table? (6)
I believe the answer is:
status
'position in table?' is the definition.
'figures capturing university's' is the wordplay.
'figures' becomes 'stats'.
'capturing' is an insertion indicator.
'university' becomes 'u'.
'stats' going around 'u' is 'STATUS'.
(Other definitions for status that I've seen before include "Class" , "Social or professional standing" , "degree" , "Importance, standing" , "Social position or grade" .)