World's Top 100 Universities 2025: Rankings
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Studying Abroad has developed into a billion-dollar industry, generating massive amounts of employment, running economies, and above all bringing forth a healthy exchange of knowledge. Today, countries are bending entry laws, introducing student-friendly policies and above all allowing international students, a fair chance of garnering employment through their post-study visa has only furthered the cause. Check out top 100 universities in the world as per QS - WUR 2025.
Indians have one of the largest student presence in international universities, second only to China. Hence, India has grown to become a formidable market that cannot be ignored by international study destinations. There is no one best university in the world, hence there are multiple based on different rankings. Read on to learn more about the top 100 universities in the world for 2025 for Indian and international students alike. Check out the best universities based on university rankings 2025 in this article. Check out the list of top universities abroad.
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World Best University Rankings 2025
Studying abroad is categorized as imparting theoretical knowledge with the right amount of practical involvement. We all know, that studying abroad is this and so much more, candidates get their fair share of improving their skills through part-time work options, interacting with a heterogeneous crowd, acquiring skills that would otherwise have not been possible, and studying in one of the top 10 universities in the world provides all this and more. There are no limits attached to studying abroad.
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Candidates wanting to study abroad would only want the best university in the world for themselves. Today, we bring to our students the best universities in the world for higher education. You can visit each university listed below, to understand more about the university in detail, the courses on offer, the duration of the course, admission and eligibility requirements, and updated living and tuition fee structure.
Also, Read:
| 5 Things to consider before choosing a Study Abroad Destination |
QS World University Rankings 2025
Here is a list of the top 100 Universities in the world for 2025. The world's top universities have been ranked by QS Top Universities Ranking, keeping multiple factors in mind.
| Top 100 Universities |
QS - World University Ranking 2025
|
Overall Score
|
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #1 | 100 |
| Imperial College London | #2 | 98.5 |
| University of Oxford | #3 | 96.9 |
| Harvard University | #4 | 96.8 |
| University of Cambridge | #5 | 96.7 |
| Stanford University | #6 | 96.1 |
| ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology | #7 | 93.9 |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | #8 | 93.7 |
| UCL | #9 | 91.6 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | #10 | 90.9 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #11 | 90.3 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | #12 | 90.1 |
| The University of Melbourne | #13 | 88.9 |
| Peking University | #14 | 88.5 |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) | #15 | 88.4 |
| Cornell University | #16 | 87.9 |
| The University of Hong Kong | #17 | 87.6 |
| The University of Sydney | #18 | 87.3 |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | #19 | 87.1 |
| Tsinghua University | #20 | 86.5 |
| University of Chicago | #21 | 86.2 |
| Princeton University | #22 | 85.5 |
| Yale University | #23 | 85.2 |
| Université PSL | #24 | 84.7 |
| University of Toronto | #25 | 84.1 |
| EPFL | #26 | 83.5 |
| The University of Edinburgh | #27 | 83.3 |
| Technical University of Munich | #28 | 83.2 |
| McGill University | #29 | 83 |
| The Australian National University | #30 | 82.4 |
| Seoul National University | #31 | 82.3 |
| Johns Hopkins University | #32 | 82.1 |
| The University of Tokyo | #32 | 82.1 |
| Columbia University | #34 | 82 |
| The University of Manchester | #34 | 82 |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) | #36 | 81.3 |
| Monash University | #37 | 81.2 |
| University of British Columbia | #38 | 81 |
| Fudan University | #39 | 80.3 |
| King's College London | #40 | 80.2 |
| The University of Queensland | #40 | 80.2 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | #42 | 79.8 |
| New York University (NYU) | #43 | 79.6 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | #44 | 79 |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | #45 | 77.8 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | #46 | 77.5 |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | #47 | 77.1 |
| Zhejiang University | #47 | 77.1 |
| Delft University of Technology | #49 | 77 |
| Kyoto University | #50 | 76 |
| Northwestern University | =50 | 76 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | =50 | 76 |
| KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology | #53 | 75.7 |
| University of Bristol | #54 | 75.4 |
| University of Amsterdam | #55 | 73.7 |
| Yonsei University | #56 | 72.9 |
| The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | #57 | 72.1 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | #58 | 72 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | #59 | 71.6 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | #60 | 71.2 |
| Duke University | #61 | 70.8 |
| City University of Hong Kong | #62 | 70.7 |
| KU Leuven | #63 | 70.3 |
| Sorbonne University | #63 | 70.3 |
| The University of Auckland | #65 | 69.7 |
| University of Texas at Austin | #66 | 69.5 |
| Korea University | #67 | 69 |
| National Taiwan University (NTU) | #68 | 68.7 |
| The University of Warwick | #69 | 68.2 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | #69 | 68.2 |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) | #71 | 67.6 |
| University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | #72 | 67.1 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | #73 | 67 |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | #74 | 65.7 |
| Lund University | #75 | 65.6 |
| University of Washington | #76 | 65.3 |
| The University of Western Australia | #77 | 65.2 |
| University of Glasgow | #78 | 65 |
| Brown University | #79 | 64.7 |
| University of Birmingham | #80 | 64.1 |
| University of Southampton | #80 | 64.1 |
| The University of Adelaide | #82 | 63.8 |
| University of Leeds | =82 | 63.8 |
| Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg | #84 | 63.7 |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) | =84 | 63.7 |
| Osaka University | #86 | 63.5 |
| Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin | #87 | 62.9 |
| University of Technology Sydney | #88 | 62.4 |
| Durham University | #89 | 61.7 |
| Pennsylvania State University | =89 | 61.7 |
| Purdue University | =89 | 61.7 |
| Universidade de São Paulo | #92 | 61.6 |
| Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) | #93 | 61.5 |
| Lomonosov Moscow State University | #94 | 61.4 |
| Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | =94 | 61.4 |
| University of Alberta | #96 | 61.2 |
| Freie Universitaet Berlin | #97 | 60.6 |
| Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH) | #98 | 60.3 |
| RWTH Aachen University | #99 | 59.9 |
| University of Copenhagen | #100 | 59.6 |
Also Read:
QS Asia University Rankings 2025
Apart from global rankings, there are also some of the best universities in the world for students based on a particular region. Students looking to study in Asia across its top universities can go for the following world top universities based on QS Asia University Rankings 2025:
| Top 10 Asia Universities (QS) | QS Asia University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | #8 |
| Peking University | #14 |
| Tsinghua University | #20 |
| Nanyang Technological University | #15 |
| University of Hong Kong | #17 |
| University of Tokyo | #32 |
| Seoul National University | #31 |
| Zhejiang University | #47 |
| Kyoto University | #50 |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) | #36 |
Admission Requirements for Top Universities in the World
Admission requirements for studying at the world’s top 100 universities vary as per the course and university guidelines. However, here are the general admission requirements for studying at the best university in the world:
- Academic Grade: Students are expected to score in their schooling and their bachelor’s (if applying for a master’s degree). Admissions to the top 100 universities can be fiercely competitive.
- Test Scores: Depending on the university and nation, excellent exam results in the:
- Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement: Universities look for applicants who are well-rounded and show enthusiasm and commitment through extracurricular activities like internships, leadership positions, and artistic or athletic endeavours in addition to having outstanding academic records and test scores.
- Strong Application Documents: To get selected for the top 100 universities in the world, students must prepare strong application documents (statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, admission essays, etc.).
Whether or not studying abroad is worthwhile depends on several variables and individual circumstances, but several pros are universally acknowledged. Exposure to various cultures and experiences, availability of top-notch educational programmes and resources, improved employment chances and networking opportunities, and personal development and independence are a few benefits of studying abroad. The choice to study abroad should ultimately be based on personal objectives, requirements, and priorities, as well as practical and financial factors, and should be carefully considered before making a decision. You can decide on the best university in the world based on these rankings keeping other factors into consideration as well.
For further queries, feel free to write to us in the comments below.
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Top Universities in the World FAQs
Q. Which is the no 1 university in the world?
A. The no 1 university in the world is none other than Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT has retained its number 1 position for the 13th consecutive year. Which in turn, makes it one of the number universities in the world.
Q. Which are the top 10 universities in the world as per THE World University Rankings 2025?
A. The following are the top 10 universities that have been ranked globally by THE for the year 2024:
- University of Oxford
- Stanford University
- MIT
- Harvard University
- University of Cambridge
- Princeton University
- CalTech
- Imperial College London
- UCB
- Yale University
Q. Is studying abroad a good choice?
A. For a number of reasons, including exposure to diverse cultures and experiences, accessibility to top-notch education and resources, improved employment chances and networking possibilities, and personal development and independence, studying abroad can be a terrific choice (especially if you get selected for a top-ranked university). The choice to study abroad should be based on a person's personal objectives, needs, and priorities as well as financial and logistical factors such as the cost of living, language ability, educational system, and visa requirements. Before making a choice, it is recommended to conduct in-depth research and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad.
Q. Which were the best universities in the world as per QS World University Rankings 2025?
A. According to QS rankings 2025, some of the top universities were - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Cambridge, Stanford University, University of Oxford, Harvard University, Caltech, University of Chicago, Princeton University, etc. It is crucial to remember that university rankings are subjective and might change based on the methods and standards employed by various ranking organisations. Therefore, it is wise to take into account a variety of sources and aspects when looking into and choosing universities.
Q. What is the ranking criteria used by the QS World University Rankings to measure the performance of the universities?
A. QS World University Rankings has the following ranking criteria: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, International Students Ratio, International Research Network, and Employment Outcomes. The QS World University Rankings feature over 1,400 universities from across the world.
Q. Why is it important to aim to study in any of the top 100 universities globally?
A. There are many benefits to attending a top-100 university. It gives you access to top-notch teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and research opportunities that will improve your education and exposure. Because of the prestige, connections, and academic rigour of premier colleges, graduates typically have better employment opportunities. These colleges have a more rigorous, interdisciplinary, and research-focused curriculum that provides students with in-depth information and cutting-edge capabilities. Your lifelong network will also include connections with accomplished professors, researchers, and fellow students. In conclusion, attending a prestigious university significantly improves your knowledge, abilities, professional possibilities, and relationships.
Q. Which country has the most top 100 universities globally 2025?
A. The US has the maximum number of universities which have made it to the list of top 100 universities in the world. To be precise there are around - 25 US universities rank among the top 100 universities globally as per QS - WUR 2025. Followed by the US is the UK, which has around 18 universities that have made it to the list.
Q. Which Indian university is in top 100 in world?
A. None of the Indian universities make it to the top 100 universities in the world. The Indian university that forst appears for 2025 rankings is IIT Bombay at #118th position followed by IIT Delhi at #150.
Q: Is BSBI degree valid in Germany?
BSBI does not hold degree-awarding powers in Germany and its programmes are validated by private Italian distance learning institution UniNettuno International Telematic University. BSBI has also partnered with Concordia University Chicago to deliver programmes at its Berlin campus.
Q: Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?
Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science.
To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.
Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.
Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.
Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate
Q: Why study at IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany?
IU International University of Applied Sciences courses are state accredited and recognized internationally. The university is known as Germany’s largest private state-accredited university. Students can learn a mix of online self-study and classroom learning (2-3 days per week) alongside their peers. IU University Germany is the 1st German university to be a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Hence, it is one of the best study abroad universities for international students.
Q: Is Torrens University good for international students?
Torrens University Australia is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia. It offers a culturally vibrant and comfortable environment for international students. Each year thousands of international students from all over the world come to study at various courses of the university. currently, there are 3932 total students at Torrens University out of which 986 are international students.
Q: Is it hard to get into Newcastle University Australia?
The University of Newcastle is amog the universities that does not publish official data on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources, the University of Newcastle Australia acceptance rate is 80%. This makes Newcastle University Australia moderately selective in admissions. Please note that the data on acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: What is the cost of a student visa in Germany?
International students going to pursue higher education in Germany are required to apply for a German study visa. The cost of study visa for Germany is EUR 75 per applicant. Below we have provided a check list for German student visa:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
- Copy of passport
- Proof of admittance to the study course
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Financial Means
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
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Statement of Purpose
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Student Visa Application
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