Asia Rises as U.S. and U.K. Lose Ground in Global University Rankings

GENEVA, - October 26, 2025 The latest 'Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026' reveal a shifting global landscape in higher education, research, and innovation, with Asian universities gaining momentum while traditional leaders in the United States and United Kingdom slip in standing.

The University of Oxford maintained its top spot for the tenth consecutive year, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at #2. Yet beneath that stability lies decline: 62 U.S. institutions fell in rank, leaving the country with just 102 in the global top 500 - its lowest showing ever. The U.K. saw a similar trend, with 28 universities dropping and only 13 improving, reducing its top-500 total to 49.

By contrast, Asia’s presence surged. Mainland China now boasts five universities in the top 40 - up from three last year - and 35 in the top 500 overall. Zhejiang University climbed eight places to #39, while Shanghai Jiao Tong University jumped 12 spots to #40. South Korea secured four institutions in the top 100, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East also posted record gains.

Analysts say the findings signal an emerging “eastward pull” in global knowledge creation. While Western universities retain powerful brands and resources, the momentum in innovation is increasingly coming from newer, rapidly expanding research hubs across Asia.

*Sources: *https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/10/world-university-rankings-knowledge-creation-innovation/