Top 10 Universities in the World 2025
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Check out the list of top 10 universities in the world for Indian students along with their ranking in QS World University Rankings 2025 and THE World University Ranking 2025. These universities receive admission applications across the world but only a few students manage to get admission here.
Which is the number #1 university in the world? Some of you say the best university in the world is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA is the centre of innovation and technology. Others will choose the University of Oxford in the UK as the top #1 university in the world because of its centuries of tradition and academic excellence. Both universities are securing their place in the list of top 10 universities in the World.
It is not easy to give the "Best" title to any university as different ranking systems and individual priorities emphasize various factors such as their global reputation, academics, teaching performance, research opportunities, student-faculty ratio and other important factors. This article covers a comprehensive list of top universities in the world located in popular study destinations. Here is the list of the top 10 universities in the world, ranked by QS World University Ranking 2025 and Times Higher Education Ranking 2025.
List of Top 10 Universities in the World
Almost every student wants to get admission into the best universities in the world. There are several advantages to getting enrolled in top universities in the world, including an excellent education, valuable degrees, better career opportunities, and several others. Here are the top ten universities in the world based on THE World University Rankings 2025:
| 10 Best Universities in the World |
THE World University Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
2 |
| Harvard University |
3 |
| 4 |
|
| University of Cambridge |
5 |
| Stanford University | 6 |
| California Institute of Technology |
7 |
| 8 |
|
| Imperial College London |
9 |
| Yale University | 10 |
According to QS ranking 2025, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the no 1 university in the world. The university retains its top spot for the 13th year in a row in QS World Rankings. Here are the top 10 universities in the world based on QS World University Rankings 2025:
| Top Ten Universities in The World |
QS World University Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| 1 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 5 |
|
| 6 |
|
| 7 |
|
| National University of Singapore | 8 |
| 9 |
|
| 10 |
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10 Best Universities in the World: in Detail
Here are the highlights of some of the top universities in the world. These universities are popular for their academic excellence, research, campus facilities, career outcomes, and notable alumni.
1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT holds the tag of the Number #1 university in the world (QS Ranking 2025). It was founded in the year 1861 to provide the best research program to students. Sloan School of Management and School of Engineering are some of its highly ranked graduate schools. Apart from this, its popular programs include Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, and Economics. The acceptance rate of MIT is 7.3%, because of which the Massachusetts Institute of Technology admissions are selective.
| Quick Facts About MIT |
|
|---|---|
| Total Enrolment |
28,232 (Class of 2028) |
| 4.5% (Class of 2028) |
|
| Tuition Fee |
USD 61,990 (2024-25 Batch) |
| MIT Courses Offered |
120 |
| Total Students Receiving Scholarship |
58% |
| Average Scholarship (2024-25) |
USD 66,663 |
| Total Research Centres |
65 |
| Top Courses |
|
| MIT Scholarship |
|
So, do you want to get admission here in this university? Check out detailed information about MIT admissions at one click.
2) Imperial College London
Imperial College London is #2nd best university in the world. It was established in the year 1907 and offers courses related to four disciplines, namely Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Business. According to the Shiksha grading, the overall ranking of Imperial College London is A++. The acceptance rate of Imperial College London is nearly 15%, which means it is really tough to get admission to this institute. Imperial College London's placement rate stands at 95%, which indicates that 95 out of every 100 graduates get employed within 3 months of graduation.
| Key Facts About Imperial College London | |
|---|---|
| Total Enrolment (2024) |
23,000 |
| Acceptance Rate |
15% |
| Imperial College London Courses Offered |
330+ |
| Top Courses |
|
| Scholarships |
|
Check out the information about Imperial College London Admission at one click.
3) University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is the world's fourth oldest and most respected university, with its origins dating back to 1209. The research university is the second-oldest English-speaking University. Cambridge specializes in offering high-quality education in social sciences, arts, humanities, sciences, and engineering. It is extremely difficult to get into Cambridge and share the experience of studying with some of the brightest minds. The University of Cambridge is one of the top 3 universities in the world.
| Key Facts About Cambridge University | |
|---|---|
| Total Enrolment (2024) |
24,270 |
| Acceptance Rate |
18% - 21% |
| Tuition Fee Range |
USD 32,610 to USD 85,150 (For 2024) |
| Courses Offered |
330+ |
| Total Students Receiving Scholarship |
1100 Students |
| Top Courses |
|
| Scholarships |
|
4) Stanford University
Stanford University is a private research university founded in 1891. This university is placed among the top five universities in the world. The student-to-faculty ratio of Stanford is 7:1 better than other universities in the world. Stanford University is located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, which is home to top tech giants and multinational companies like Yahoo!, Google, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard.
5) University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the #1 university in the world. It has been at the top of the list of top 10 universities in the World for six years in a row. One of the oldest universities in the world is the University of Oxford, which is situated in Oxford, England. In a variety of fields, including the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, it has a great reputation for academic quality and research. According to THE World University Ranking 2025, Oxford University is at the top of the list. Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton and TS Eliot are some of the top alumni of Oxford university.
Also Check: Top 10 Universities That Produced World Top CEOs
6) Harvard University
Ranked among the top 10 universities in the world, Harvard University is one of the oldest universities in the USA founded in 1636. Almost 30% of the total students are from over 150 countries. Some of the popular majors offered by Harvard are Computer Science, History, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Law, and Mathematics. Harvard University’s acceptance rate is 5%, so it is difficult for international students to get into this university. Barack Obama, Ratan Tata and George W Bush are some of the popular alumni of Harvard University.
Also read about: Webometrics World University Ranking: Top 100 List
7) ETH University
ETH Zurich is a popular public university in Switzerland. It was founded in the year 1855 and holds the 7th rank in the list of top ten universities in the world, released by QS ranking 2025. Apart from quality education and a diverse course range, ETH Zurich offers scholarships to meritorious students. More than 22 thousand students are enrolled in different STEM courses offered here. Around 43% of students are from across the world. ETH Zurich is also known as the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.
8) National University of Singapore
In the list of best universities in the world, the National University of Singapore is in 8th rank. It was founded in the year 1980. NUS is a national public university which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, business, and law. The National University of Singapore has strong partnerships with other top universities worldwide, offering opportunities for student exchange programs. More than 33,000 students are currently enrolled in different courses at the university.
9) University College London
In the list of top 10 universities in the world by QS, UCL holds 9th rank. It offers UG, PG and PhD courses related to Arts and Humanities, Brain Sciences, Engineering, Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Medical Sciences, More than 41,000 students are currently enrolled in these courses and 61% of them are international students. The tuition fees for UG programs in University College London range between INR 22L-INR 40L and the range for PG programs is INR 23L-INR 47L. Due to the standard facilities and resources available at UCL, students get a high-quality education. Also, this makes the institute a good place to learn and do research.
10) California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The California Insitute of Technology was founded in the year 1891. This reputed private research university is one of the dream universities for students who want to study in USA. The university offers science and engineering-related courses. QS has been placing Caltech University in the top 10 universities in the world since 2019. The student-to-faculty ratio here is 3:1 and the acceptance rate of the California Institute of Technology is just 3%. It shows that the university is very selective when it comes to offering admission to international students.
California Institute of Technology is among the best universities to study engineering in the USA. Caltech has five institutes namely Beckman Institute, Kavli Nanoscience Institute, Rosen Bioengineering Center, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, and the Resnick Sustainability Institute. Caltech is known for offering excellent science and engineering-related programs in the USA.
Student Population in Top 10 Universities in the World
According to Times Higher Education, the number of students at the University of California Berkeley is the highest (39,991). The National University of Singapore holds second place followed by the University of Oxford on third place.
Source: Times Higher Education
Popular Universities Among Top 100 in the World
Here are some other top-ranked universities, for studying abroad, that provide excellent academic and research opportunities along with good career outcomes:
| Universities |
QS World University Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| 34 |
|
| 11 |
|
| 32 |
|
| 16 |
|
| 42 |
|
| 44 |
|
| 61 |
|
| 50 |
Note: The order of the universities is not based on their rankings.
Top Universities in the USA 2025
Top USA universities are known for their academic brilliance, which may help you build a solid foundation in the subject you want to study. Many of these universities feature top-notch research facilities that can provide you with the chance to collaborate with eminent academics, carry out cutting-edge research, and learn in-depth information about your profession. Here are the top 5 universities in the USA as per the QS World University Rankings 2025:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Rank 1
- Stanford University: Rank 6
- Harvard University: Rank 4
- Caltech: Rank 10
- University of Chicago: Rank 21
Top Universities in the UK 2025
Your chances of finding one of the highest paying jobs in the world after graduation might rise if you graduate from a prestigious UK institution and have access to a large alumni network. Many UK universities have world-class research facilities and provide high-quality academics. Here are the top 5 universities in the UK as per the QS World University Rankings 2025:
- Imperial College London: Rank 2
- University of Oxford: Rank 3
- University of Cambridge: Rank 5
- University College London: Rank 9
- University of Edinburgh: Rank 27
Top Universities in Canada 2025
For a number of reasons, studying in Canada may be a fantastic choice for international students. Canada is renowned for its excellent educational system, multicultural student body, and hospitable culture. Additionally, Canada is home to prestigious universities and research centres that may give students access to state-of-the-art research facilities and knowledgeable instructors. Here are the top 5 universities in Canada as per the QS World University Rankings 2025:
- University of Toronto: Rank 25
- McGill University: Rank 29
- The University of British Columbia: Rank 38
- University of Alberta: Rank 96
- University of Waterloo: Rank 115
As we see, Universities in the USA dominate in top-ranked universities in the world. Therefore, we can conclude that the USA is the top study destination in the world followed by the United Kingdom (UK). The regular contenders Australia and Canada have proved their mettle in the field of higher education. In addition, Singapore has emerged as the top-most study destination for international students in Asia. China is also emerging as a preferred destination for international students. Students seeking to minimize hassle and paperwork may consider applying to top universities located in countries with easier student visa processes.
Factors for Calculating World University Ranking
1. Academic reputation (40%)
2. Employer reputation (10%)
Q: What are the top 10 universities in the world?
Q: Which are the top 5 universities in the world?
According to THE World University Rank 2025, here are top 5 universities in the world.
- University of Oxford
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- University of Cambridge.
However, in QS ranking 2025, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the #1 university in the world. Check out the best 5 universities in the world:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Imperial College London
- University of Oxford
- Harvard University
- University of Cambridge
Q: What are the top 10 universities in UK?
If we talk about the Top 10 universities in the UK, then as per the Times Higher Education, the University of Oxford is in the top of the list of the best universities in the UK 2025. Check UK University ranking as per THE for 2025 from the table given below:
UK Rank 2025 | World University 2025 Rank | University Name |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | University of Oxford |
2 | 5 | University of Cambridge |
3 | 9 | Imperial College London |
4 | 22 | UCL |
5 | 29 | University of Edinburgh |
6 | 36 | King’s College London |
7 | 50 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
8 | 53 | University of Manchester |
9 | 78 | University of Bristol |
10 | 87 | University of Glasgow |
Q: Why is it important to study at a top-ranked foreign university?
For various reasons, attending a top-tier university can be crucial. Some of them are mentioned below:
- When looking for a job or continuing your study, these universities frequently have a solid reputation for academic achievement and producing successful graduates.
- Students frequently have access to additional resources at top colleges, including cutting-edge infrastructure, illustrious faculty, and ample research opportunities.
- One benefit of attending a famous university is the chance to network and make connections with powerful alumni, both of which can be advantageous for one's future professional prospects.
While attending a top-ranked university can be advantageous, it is crucial to take into account personal goals and needs as well as potential difficulties and expenses.
Q: Which are the top 10 universities in the US?
According to the Times World University Rankings 2025, the following are the top 10 universities in the US:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- University of Chicago
- Princeton University
- Yale University
It is important to keep in mind that different rankings may consider various aspects and standards when evaluating the universities, therefore the outcomes may change.
Q: What are the admission requirements for top universities in the world?
Depending on the institution and the chosen programme of study, different top universities throughout the world may have different admission requirements. Here are general eligibility criteria for getting admission in these institutes:
International students could also be required to take a test like the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate their English language skills. In order to improve one's chances of being accepted, it is critical to thoroughly investigate the admission requirements for each university of interest and endeavour to reach or exceed those standards.
Q: What are the benefits of attending top #1 university in the world?
There is a long list of benefits of getting admission in #1 university in the world such as the best possible academics excellence with World-Renowned Faculty and Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities. Other than this, valuable degree, strong alumni network and omprehensive career services offered by university.
In short, attending the best university in the world, provides a transformative educational experience to the student which can enhance their future prospects.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
3. Faculty/student ratio (20%)
4. Citations per faculty (20%)
5. International student ratio (5%)
6. International faculty ratio (5%)
Students are advised to do their research when it comes to university selection. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the following are the top 10 universities in the world: