Not Harvard, not Cambridge: this is the most prestigious university in the world
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, these are the best universities in the world to study at.
1. University of Oxford
The city of Oxford is located in Oxfordshire, England. Although the exact year of the university’s founding remains uncertain, records of teaching date back to 1096. Its rivalry with the University of Cambridge is legendary. Oxford is made up of 39 constituent colleges, and admission is highly competitive, based on academic merit and the candidate’s potential. Twenty‑six British prime ministers studied there, and the university boasts 29 Nobel Prize laureates.
2. Stanford University
Stanford is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The university was founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford and opened its doors on October 1, 1891. Its academic strengths include law, medicine, education, and business. Over the course of its history, Stanford has counted 27 Nobel Prize winners among its faculty.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Better known by its initials, MIT, this renowned university is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was founded on April 10, 1861, and its motto is “Mind and Hand.” MIT has an impressive roster of 76 Nobel laureates between its alumni and faculty.
4. Harvard University
Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Founded in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Its distinctions include 161 Nobel Prizes, 48 Pulitzer Prizes, 108 Olympic medals, eight Fields Medal winners, and eight U.S. presidents, among many others.
5. University of Cambridge
Located in the city of Cambridge, England, the university was founded in 1209, making it the second-oldest English‑speaking university and the fourth‑oldest still in operation worldwide. King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain were both awarded honorary doctorates by the institution.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment