- The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 evaluated over 2,000 institutions from 115 countries, with Pakistan having 47 ranked universities, making it the 14th most-represented nation globally.
- Quaid-i-Azam University is Pakistan’s top-ranked institution, remaining in the 401-500 range, while eight Pakistani universities are in the 601-800 band, with only seven showing improvements and 10 declining.
- Globally, the University of Oxford retained its top spot for the ninth consecutive year, while MIT and Harvard took second and third place respectively; Pakistan ranks as the 6th most-represented country in Asia.
This year, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 evaluated over 2,000 institutions from 115 countries and regions, marking a 9.7% increase compared to the previous year. This represents the largest growth in the rankings over the past five years, surpassing last year’s 6% rise.
Pakistan has a total of 47 universities listed in the rankings, placing it as the 14th most-represented country worldwide, sharing this position with Taiwan. The country’s highest-ranking institution, Quaid-i-Azam University, remains in the 401-500 band, retaining its placement from the previous year.
Eight Pakistani universities are ranked within the 601-800 band, an increase of one institution compared to last year. The University of Malakand has moved up to this range from the 801-1,000 bracket, while Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan has dropped in rank. Additionally, Sukkur IBA University has entered the 601-800 band as a newly-ranked institution this year. However, only seven Pakistani universities saw an improvement in their rankings, while 10 experienced a decline.
Pakistani Universities in the Rankings:
| University | Rank 2025 | Rank 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Quaid-i-Azam University | 401–500 | 401–500 |
| Air University | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Capital University of Science and Technology | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Government College University Faisalabad | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| National University of Sciences and Technology | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Sukkur IBA University | 601–800 | Not Ranked |
| University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| University of Malakand | 601–800 | 801–1000 |
Globally, the University of Oxford maintains its top spot for the ninth consecutive year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) rose to second place, while Harvard University ranks third.
Top Global Universities:
| University | Country | Rank 2025 | Rank 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 1 | 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | 2 | 3 |
| Harvard University | United States | 3 | 4 |
| Princeton University | United States | 4 | 6 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 5 | 5 |
| Stanford University | United States | 6 | 2 |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | 7 | 7 |
| University of California, Berkeley | United States | 8 | 9 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 9 | 8 |
| Yale University | United States | 10 | 10 |
In Asia, 853 universities from 35 countries are featured, with Pakistan’s 47 institutions making it the 6th most-represented country on the continent.
The 2025 THE World University Rankings are recognized as one of the most detailed and balanced global assessments of research-intensive universities. This year’s rankings evaluated universities using 18 performance indicators across five key categories: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. A total of 2,860 institutions submitted data, representing a 6.9% increase from the previous year. An additional 768 institutions participated as “reporters,” meaning they submitted data but did not meet the criteria to be ranked.
Since its inception with 200 universities, THE’s World University Rankings have expanded to include over 2,000 institutions, making it the largest and most inclusive ranking system globally.
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