First Time Ever: Imperial College London Surpasses Oxbridge in Global University Rankings
Imperial College London has surpassed both Oxford and Cambridge in global university rankings, achieving higher scores in sustainability and citations than its counterparts.
The QS World University Rankings 2025, released on Tuesday, placed Imperial in second place globally, making it the top-ranking British university and breaking the long-standing dominance of Oxbridge.
This marks the first time in 20 years of the global rankings that neither the University of Oxford nor the University of Cambridge has claimed the top spot.
In 2014, Imperial and Cambridge shared second place, but this year, Imperial stands alone in that position for the first time.
Out of over 1,500 ranked institutions, the U.S.’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained its first-place position for the tenth consecutive year.
Four British universities made it to the top 10, with Cambridge falling to fifth place and Imperial rising to second place.
Oxford maintained its third-place ranking, while University College London (UCL) stayed at ninth place.
This year, out of the 90 British universities ranked by QS, 20 improved their positions compared to last year, with 52 universities dropping in rank and 18 staying stable in the new table.
High ‘Sustainability’ Score
Imperial’s improved ranking is attributed to its research performance, employability scores, and sustainability commitment, according to QS.
All three universities received similar scores in most metrics, but Imperial scored significantly higher in sustainability and citations per faculty, although it lagged in employment outcomes.
Imperial scored 99.7 in sustainability, a notable increase from 94.4 in 2024, ranking it sixth globally. In comparison, Oxford and Cambridge scored 85 and 84.8, respectively.
Imperial also excelled in citations per faculty, scoring 93.9, while Oxford and Cambridge scored 84.8 and 84.6.
However, in terms of employment outcomes, Imperial ranked 61st with a score of 93.4, while Oxbridge institutions scored a perfect 100.
Despite this, Oxford and Cambridge maintained strong scores in academic reputation, employer reputation, and faculty-student ratio.
Professor Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, praised the university community for its commitment and quality, acknowledging the challenges they address daily.
According to QS, British higher education faces funding shortages, restrictions, and uncertainties concerning international students’ status.
Chief Executive Jessica Turner highlighted the need for well-funded and championed higher education to maintain the UK’s status as a global academic leader.
PA Media contributed to this report.
