Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 released
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 released
The 2025 THE World University Rankings, which examined over 2000 institutions across 115 countries and territories, were announced on 9 October 2024 (Times Higher Education, 2024a). The THE World University Rankings are the only global performance tables that comprehensively assess research-intensive universities using five key pillars: teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry (4%) (Times Higher Education, 2024b).
THE World University Rankings: The most comprehensive and inclusive university rankings
The THE World University Rankings, alongside the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and US News and World Report: Best Global Universities are the four most prestigious and widely respected global university rankings. These league ranking tables guide critical decisions for governments, policymakers, institutions, employers, and prospective students. From shaping immigration programmes and scholarship policies to influencing funding, admissions, and career choices, they provide a trusted and reliable framework for evaluating excellence in higher education worldwide.
UK holds three in the top ten and 12 in the top 100
Following the dominant presence of the US, which has an impressive seven universities in the top ten and 38 universities in the top 100, the UK firmly holds its position as the second-best contender, with three universities in the top ten and 12 in the top 100. The University of Oxford ranks first globally for a record-breaking ninth consecutive year, followed by the University of Cambridge in fifth and Imperial College London in ninth (Times Higher Education, 2024a).
Although the results show a decline in their average research and teaching reputation this year, with the East and Global South playing a considerably larger role, the US and UK continue dominating the top rankings (Baty, 2024; Ellis, 2024). The remainder of the top 100 universities come from various countries, demonstrating a competitive global landscape (see Chart 1 below).
Chart 1. Number of top 100 universities in the 2025 THE World University Rankings, by country
Source: Times Higher Education (2024a).
25 UK universities ranked among the top 200 in the 2025 THE World University Rankings
1. Oxford
5. Cambridge
22. UCL
29. Edinburgh
50. LSE
53. Manchester
78. Bristol
87. Glasgow
93. Birmingham
98. Sheffield
106. Warwick
115. Southampton
123. Leeds
136. Nottingham
141. Queen Mary University of London
146. York
157. Newcastle
160. Liverpool
168. Lancaster
172. Durham
172. Exeter
185. St Andrews
191. Leicester
Table 1. 25 UK universities ranked among the top 200 in the 2025 THE World University Rankings
Source: Times Higher Education (2024a).
Check out the full rankings here: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking#
Conclusion
The UK’s strong presence in this elite group showcases its role as a leader in education and innovation, making it an attractive destination for aspiring students worldwide. However, as a prospective postgraduate student, it is advisable not to choose a university solely based on its overall ranking. Instead, focus on institutions that excel in your specific field of study and prioritise research quality. This approach will significantly enhance your educational experience and future career prospects.
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References
Baty, P. (2024) ‘World University Rankings 2025: Elite universities go increasingly global’, World Economic Forum, 10 October. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/10/top-universities-world-for-2025-revealed/ (Accessed: 17 December 2024).
Ellis, R. (2024) ‘World University Rankings 2025: Results announced’, Times Higher Education, 9 October. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/world-university-rankings-2025-results-announced (Accessed: 17 December 2024).
Times Higher Education (2024a) World University Rankings 2025. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/GBR/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats (Accessed: 11 December 2024).
Times Higher Education (2024b) World University Rankings 2025: Methodology. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/world-university-rankings-2025-methodology (Accessed: 11 December 2024).