On October 9, the UK education data organization Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2025 global university rankings. Asia had 929 institutions on the list, the highest number ever recorded. THE noted that universities in China and other countries have risen in the rankings, with East Asian universities “developing rapidly.” Japan’s top-ranked institution was the University of Tokyo, which climbed from 28th place in 2024 to 26th.
Chinese universities performed notably: Tsinghua University (12th), Fudan University (36th), Zhejiang University (47th), with 26 mainland Chinese institutions rising in the rankings.
Meanwhile, Fudan University and Zhejiang University showed impressive performance in this year’s rankings, jumping to 36th and 47th place globally respectively.
The rankings evaluate educational environment, research, and internationalization. A total of 3,168 institutions participated, with 2,191 universities from 115 countries and regions making the list.
Oxford University in the UK ranked first overall for the 10th consecutive year, while MIT in the United States remained 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, China’s Tsinghua University ranked first for the third consecutive year at 12th place, 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, China had six universities in the top 200, setting a new record in THE’s statistics.
Japan had 115 universities on the list. Tohoku University ranked 103rd, Osaka University 151st, and Juntendo University within the top 600. Following the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University dropped from 55th to 61st place.
THE noted that Japanese universities “showed improvement across all metrics related to research quality,” while also analyzing that “their presence in the upper ranks has diminished.”
THE’s analysis indicated that 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 evaluation was conducted before recent policy changes affecting higher education in the United States. Analysis suggests that “the research quality, ability to attract outstanding students, and internationalization of 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 country and has since been a leading center for research and academic excellence. Its historic main campus, Hongo Campus, is known for landmarks like the Akamon (Red Gate) and Yasuda Auditorium.
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is a prestigious public research university in Beijing, China, founded in 1911 with American Boxer Rebellion indemnity funds. It was initially established as a preparatory school for students sent to study in the United States. Today, it is renowned as a leading institution for science, engineering, and technology, consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world.
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 is renowned for its comprehensive academic programs and has played a significant role in China’s modern intellectual and cultural development.
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is a prestigious public research university in Hangzhou, China, with a history dating back to 1897. It was formed through the merger of several older institutions and is renowned for its comprehensive academic programs in science, engineering, and the humanities. Today, it is consistently ranked as one of China’s top universities.
Oxford University
Oxford University 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 has been a leading centre of scholarship for centuries, producing numerous notable alumni.
MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned private research university founded in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was established during the American Industrial Revolution to advance scientific and technological education and has since become a global leader in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.
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 a birthplace for the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement. Today, it is renowned for its beautiful campus and its leading role in academic research.
Kyoto University
Kyoto University is a prestigious national university in Japan, founded in 1897. It is renowned for its academic freedom and has produced numerous Nobel laureates, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry.
