QS World University Rankings
What is the QS Ranking?
The QS World University Rankings is an annual university ranking publication produced by the British institution Quacquarelli Symonds, a specialist in the field of education. The first edition was published in 2004 in collaboration with Times Higher Education and was then known as the Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings until 2009, when the two institutions decided to separate and each publish their own ranking.
Size of the ranking
The QS World University Rankings for 2025 includes — for the first time in its history — 1,500 universities from around the world, making it the largest QS ranking to date.
Evaluation criteria and indicators
The QS ranking is based on several key indicators:
| Indicator | Weight |
|---|---|
| Academic Reputation | 30% |
| Citations per Faculty | 20% |
| Employer Reputation | 15% |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 10% |
| International Faculty | 5% |
| International Students | 5% |
| Sustainability (new indicator) | 5% |
| Employment Outcomes (new indicator) | 5% |
| International Research Network | 5% |
Top universities in the world 2025
For the 13th consecutive year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) holds the top position globally. Imperial College London ranks second, followed by the University of Oxford in third, Harvard University in fourth, and University of Cambridge rounds out the top five.
Arab universities in the QS 2025 ranking
The 2025 edition covers 20 Arab countries and provides an analysis of 246 universities among the best in the region. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals retained the top spot in the Arab world, while Qatar University rose to second place, and King Saud University came in third.
QS Ranking by Subject
The QS ranking by subject for 2026 includes 55 disciplines across five broad subject areas, and covers more than 1,900 institutions worldwide.
