Oxford Tops THE World University Rankings for 11th Year

The University of Oxford has retained the top position in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, extending its run at number one to 11 consecutive years, as the latest edition of the global rankings expands to a record 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories.

The 2027 rankings, released today, include 106 more institutions than the previous edition, representing a 4% increase in the number of universities ranked. The number of countries and territories represented has also risen, from 115 last year to 118.

Oxford remains at the top, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in second place. Princeton University and Stanford University share third place, with Stanford rising two places from last year. The University of Cambridge ranks fifth.

The remainder of the global top 10 comprises Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, the University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University.

Among the world's top 100 universities, Harbin Institute of Technology in mainland China recorded the largest improvement, rising 35 places from 131st last year to 96th this year. South Korea's Sungkyunkwan University climbed 19 places, while Michigan State University, Ohio State University and University of California, San Diego rose by 12, 11 and 10 places, respectively.

US remains largest contributor of ranked universities

The US continues to have more universities represented in the rankings than any other country, with 168 institutions.

India remained in second place for the number of ranked universities, with 143 institutions. Türkiye moved into third place with 124, overtaking the countries that shared fourth place in last year's edition.

Japan ranked fourth, with 112 universities, while the UK fell to fifth with 110.

The University of Tokyo remains Japan's highest-ranked institution. It placed 27th globally, down one place from 26th last year, and fourth in Asia.

China strengthens presence in global top 100

More than 100 universities from mainland China feature in the 2027 rankings, with eight making the global top 100, compared with seven last year.

Harbin Institute of Technology's entry into the top 100 marks a new milestone for the Chinese university sector in this year's rankings.

Hong Kong also maintains a strong presence among the world's leading universities. Five of the territory's eight ranked institutions are in the global top 100, led by the University of Hong Kong at 33rd globally.

South Korean universities make gains

South Korea has four universities in the global top 100 and 10 in the top 300.

Seoul National University remains the country's highest-ranked institution, moving up two places to 56th globally.

All four South Korean universities in the global top 100 improved their positions this year. Sungkyunkwan University posted the largest increase, rising from 87th to 68th.

Singapore expands its ranked presence

Singapore's two leading universities both climbed in the 2027 rankings.

The National University of Singapore rose to 15th globally, from 17th last year, while Nanyang Technological University moved up to 28th, from a tie for 31st.

Singapore also recorded its first appearance of three universities in the rankings. The Singapore University of Technology and Design made its debut in the 301–325 band.

The 2027 edition also includes first-time appearances from Albania and Malawi.

Ethiopia returned to the rankings after being absent from the 2026 edition. The country had previously been represented in the 2025 rankings.

With 2,297 institutions now included, the 2027 THE World University Rankings represent the largest edition of the table to date, reflecting the continued expansion of global participation in international university rankings.