Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2025 World University Rankings on October 9. A record 929 Asian institutions made the list this year. THE noted that universities in China and other East Asian countries are “developing rapidly,” with their rankings showing significant improvement. Japan’s top-ranked institution, the University of Tokyo, rose from 28th place in 2024 to 26th position.
Chinese universities performed notably: Tsinghua University (12th), Fudan University (36th), and Zhejiang University (47th), with 26 mainland Chinese institutions showing ranking improvements.
Fudan University and Zhejiang University demonstrated particularly strong performance in this year’s rankings, climbing to 36th and 47th positions globally respectively.
The rankings evaluate institutions based on teaching environment, research output, and international outlook. A total of 3,168 institutions from 115 countries participated, with 2,191 universities making the final list.
For the tenth consecutive year, the University of Oxford claimed the top position, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology maintained its second-place ranking. The top ten positions were dominated by universities from the United Kingdom and United States. However, the number of American universities in the top 500 dropped to 102, the lowest figure recorded in THE’s statistics.
Among Asian institutions, China’s Tsinghua University ranked first in the region for the third consecutive year at 12th position globally, followed by Peking University at 13th place. Over 20% of Chinese universities showed ranking improvements. South Korea doubled its representation in the top 100 compared to 2024, with four institutions making the list. Hong Kong set a new record with six universities in the top 200.
Japan had 115 universities on the list. Tohoku University ranked 103rd, Osaka University placed 151st, and Juntendo University made the top 600. Following the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University dropped from 55th to 61st position.
THE noted that Japanese universities “showed improvement across all research quality indicators,” while also observing that “their presence in the upper rankings has diminished.”
The analysis suggests a shifting balance of power from prestigious Western institutions toward East Asian universities. Western institutions face challenges 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 programs. Concerns were raised that “research quality, ability to attract top students, and international standing of American universities may decline in the future.”
University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo, founded in 1877, is Japan’s first imperial university and one of its most prestigious institutions 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 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 initially 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, initially to provide a modern alternative to traditional education. Today, it is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in China and is a member of the elite C9 League.
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is a prestigious public research university located in Hangzhou, China, with a history dating back to its founding in 1897 as the Qiushi Academy. It has evolved through several mergers and name changes, most notably with the amalgamation of Hangzhou University, Zhejiang Agricultural University, and Zhejiang Medical University in 1998. Today, it is renowned as a comprehensive institution and a member of China’s elite C9 League of universities.
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 learning for centuries.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1861. It was established to advance knowledge in science and technology to meet the industrial demands of the nation and has since become a global leader in scientific research, technological innovation, and engineering education.
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 pivotal role in the country’s modern history, notably as a center for the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement of 1919. Today, it remains a leading university renowned for its beautiful campus and academic excellence.
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. The university has a long history of fostering independent research and is considered one of Asia’s leading research institutions.
