The University of Oxford has once again secured the top position in two academic disciplines in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject for 2025.
Oxford, which has maintained the overall number-one ranking in THE’s world university rankings for the past nine years, was named the best institution for medical and health studies, a position it has held since 2019. Additionally, it retained its leadership in computer science, a top spot it has occupied since 2019. The university also saw a significant rise in business and economics, moving from a shared fifth place in 2024 to securing second place this year.
Oxford features in the top eight across all 10 subject categories in which it is represented, demonstrating its consistent academic excellence.
The University of Cambridge also achieved notable rankings and remains one of just three universities worldwide to feature in the top 10 across all 11 subjects assessed in the rankings. The only other institutions achieving this distinction are Harvard University and Stanford University in the United States.
Cambridge performed exceptionally well, ranking second in arts and humanities, computer science, life sciences, and psychology.
British universities had a strong presence in medical and health rankings, with Cambridge taking third place, while Imperial College London maintained its fourth-place ranking from 2024. Imperial also secured the eighth spot in computer science. University College London (UCL) saw mixed results, dropping one place to eighth in medical and health studies but moving up a spot to 10th in education studies. It also holds the same ranking in law.
UCL achieved sixth place in arts and humanities and improved its law ranking from 12th in 2024 to 10th this year. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) climbed one spot to enter the top 10 in business and economics but fell one position to ninth in social sciences. Meanwhile, King’s College London made a notable leap in psychology, jumping six places to secure the ninth position.
American universities continue to lead globally, topping nine of the 11 subject rankings. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University each led in three categories, while Harvard took the top spot in two disciplines. The California Institute of Technology claimed first place in physical sciences.
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, commented on the broader global trends in education rankings, stating, “While the western world continues to dominate the subject rankings, this new data release demonstrates the continued rise of China and East Asian nations in the global knowledge economy, and a global leveling up of excellence.”
Chinese universities are now ranked among the top 50 across all subjects, marking a significant improvement in their global standing. Notably, Peking University and Tsinghua University secured top 10 positions in business and economics as well as education studies, further highlighting China’s growing influence in higher education.