Imperial College London has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in a prestigious global ranking system. Rising from sixth to second place in the QS World University Rankings, Imperial College’s ascent marks the end of Oxbridge domination at the top.
While Cambridge fell from second to fifth place, Oxford maintained its position in third place in the global rankings for 2025. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US retained the top spot.
Prof. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, attributed the institution’s success to the dedication and quality of its entire community. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of students, staff, and partners in addressing global challenges and shaping the future.
With four British universities in the top 10, University College London secured the ninth position. This marks the first time in 20 years that neither Oxford nor Cambridge has claimed the top spot among UK universities in the global rankings.
In a significant shift from 2014, when Imperial and Cambridge shared second place, Imperial now stands alone in that position. The QS rankings cited Imperial’s research performance, employability scores, and sustainability commitment as key factors contributing to its improved position.
Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, highlighted the continued excellence of British higher education despite challenges such as funding shortages and drops in student applications. While 20 British universities improved their positions this year, approximately 52 experienced declines, with 18 remaining stable.
Imperial College’s rise underscores its commitment to academic excellence and its growing reputation as a global leader in research and education.
Related topics:
