Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2025 World University Rankings on October 9. A record 929 Asian institutions made the list, the highest number ever. THE noted that universities in China and other East Asian countries are “developing rapidly,” with their rankings rising. The top-ranked Japanese university was the University of Tokyo, which climbed from 28th place in 2024 to 26th.

Chinese universities performed strongly: Tsinghua University (12th), Fudan University (36th), Zhejiang University (47th), with 26 mainland Chinese institutions rising in the rankings.

Fudan University and Zhejiang University showed particularly impressive performance in this year’s rankings, jumping to 36th and 47th positions globally respectively.

The rankings evaluate educational environment, research, and internationalization. A total of 3,168 institutions from 115 countries and regions participated, with 2,191 making the final list.

For the 10th consecutive year, the University of Oxford claimed the top spot, followed by MIT in second place. The top 10 positions were dominated by UK and US universities. However, the number of US universities in the top 500 dropped to 102, the lowest in THE’s records.

In Asia, Tsinghua University ranked first for the third consecutive year at 12th position, with Peking University at 13th. Over 20% of Chinese universities improved their rankings. South Korea had four universities in the top 100, doubling from 2024. Hong Kong set a record with six universities in the top 200.

Japan had 115 universities on the list. Tohoku University ranked 103rd, Osaka University 151st, and Juntendo University within the top 600. Kyoto University, following the University of Tokyo, dropped from 55th to 61st position.

THE noted that Japanese universities “showed improvement across all research quality indicators,” while analyzing that their “presence in the upper ranks has diminished.”

The balance of power is shifting from prestigious Western institutions to East Asian universities. Western countries have stagnated in securing research funding and attracting international talent, and “this trend is likely to continue.”

The assessment was conducted prior to recent policy changes affecting higher education funding and international student admissions. Research quality, ability to attract top students, and internationalization at US universities may decline in the future.

University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo, founded in 1877, is Japan’s first imperial university and most prestigious institution of higher education. It was established by the Meiji government to modernize the nation and has since been a leading center for research and academic excellence. Its historic Hongo Campus is famous for the Akamon (Red Gate) and Yasuda Auditorium, symbols of its long academic tradition.

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University is a prestigious public research university in Beijing, China, founded in 1911 with American Boxer Rebellion indemnity funds. It was originally established as a preparatory school for students sent to study in the United States. Today, it is renowned as one of China’s top universities, particularly for its programs in engineering, technology, and the sciences.

Fudan University

Fudan University is a prestigious public research university located in Shanghai, China. It was founded in 1905 as Fudan Public School, making it one of the oldest and most selective institutions of higher education in the country. The university’s name, chosen from a classical Chinese text, reflects an aspiration for endless renewal and contribution to society.

Zhejiang University

Zhejiang University is a prestigious public research university located in Hangzhou, China. It was founded in 1897 as Qiushi Academy, making it one of the country’s oldest and most selective modern higher education institutions. Through mergers and expansions, it has grown into a comprehensive university renowned for its academic excellence and research output.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with teaching existing in some form as early as 1096. It is a prestigious collegiate university, composed of over 30 independent colleges and halls, and has been a leading centre of scholarship for centuries.

MIT

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1861. Its history is defined by a mission to advance knowledge in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world. This has led to its central role in the digital age, producing numerous Nobel laureates and pioneering technological innovations.

Peking University

Peking University, founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking, is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. It played a central role in the development of modern Chinese thought, most notably as the birthplace of the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement. Today, it remains a leading center for academic research and learning, renowned for its beautiful campus and historic architecture.

Tohoku University

Tohoku University is a prestigious national university located in Sendai, Japan, founded in 1907 as the third Imperial University. It was the first university in Japan to admit women and has a long-standing reputation for its “Research First” principle and open-door policies. Today, it is recognized globally as a leading research institution across various scientific and humanities fields.