The University of Oxford has been crowned the best institution globally for two subjects in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject for 2025. Demonstrating its continued academic dominance, Oxford retained the top position in medical and health studies, a title it has held since 2019, and computer science, a field it has led since the same year.
This year’s rankings also highlight Oxford’s impressive rise in business and economics, climbing from joint fifth in 2024 to second place, further cementing its status as a global academic powerhouse. Overall, the university features in the top eight across the 10 subject categories in which it is represented, showcasing the breadth of its excellence.
The University of Cambridge also shone in the rankings, joining an elite group of institutions—alongside Harvard and Stanford in the US—that featured in the top 10 for all 11 subjects assessed. Cambridge achieved its best placements in arts and humanities, computer science, life sciences, and psychology, where it secured second place.
British universities leading in key fields
Other British institutions have also performed admirably in the rankings. Imperial College London maintained its fourth position in medical and health studies and climbed to eighth place in computer science. University College London (UCL) held on to its eighth position in medical and health studies but saw progress elsewhere, moving up from 12th to 10th in law and rising to 10th in education studies.
UCL also achieved sixth place in arts and humanities, reinforcing its status as one of the UK’s most diverse academic hubs. Meanwhile, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) moved up a place to enter the top 10 for business and economics, although it dropped to ninth in social sciences.
King’s College London made significant strides, leaping six places to secure ninth in psychology, a subject area where it has increasingly gained recognition.
US dominance and the rise of Asia
Despite the stellar performance of British universities, US institutions continue to dominate the rankings, topping nine of the 11 subject categories. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University lead three categories each, while Harvard University tops two. The California Institute of Technology secured the top spot for physical sciences, underlining the continued strength of American universities across the board.
However, the global higher education landscape is evolving. Chinese universities are gaining ground, with institutions such as Peking University and Tsinghua University breaking into the top 10 for business and economics, as well as education studies. Chinese universities are also represented in the top 50 across all subjects, a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the global academic arena.
A global levelling of excellence
Commenting on the results, Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, remarked on the shifting dynamics of global higher education. “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 levelling up of excellence,” he said.
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The growing prominence of Asian universities signals an increasingly competitive global education landscape, where emerging economies are challenging the traditional dominance of Western institutions.
The rankings in context
The Times Higher Education subject rankings are among the most respected in academia, assessing universities across a range of metrics, including research, teaching, and international outlook. The rankings provide a snapshot of global academic performance and offer valuable insights for prospective students and policymakers alike.
The 2025 rankings affirm the enduring strength of British higher education, with Oxford and Cambridge maintaining their reputations as world leaders. At the same time, the emergence of new players from Asia highlights the shifting nature of global academic excellence.
For students and academics alike, the latest rankings underscore the importance of innovation and collaboration in maintaining competitiveness on the global stage. Whether in the West or the East, excellence in higher education is becoming more diverse and widespread, ensuring a brighter future for global knowledge exchange.
