Oxford University has secured the top position in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for the tenth consecutive year. This achievement marks the longest period any institution has maintained this status since the rankings began 21 years ago. The latest edition evaluated a record 2,191 universities from 115 countries.
Only Harvard University and the California Institute of Technology have previously reached first place in these rankings, highlighting Oxford's sustained performance at a global level.
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, stated: “We are honoured that Oxford has been ranked number one globally by Times Higher Education for the tenth year in a row. The THE rankings, rooted in internationally competitive research and teaching excellence, are recognised worldwide as a vigorous and demanding benchmark of university performance. This achievement reflects the dedication of our academics, professional services staff and students, but it comes at a time of real strain for UK higher education. Sustaining a dynamic and globally competitive sector requires renewed investment and support, so that universities can continue to drive discovery, opportunity and economic growth for future generations.”
Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at THE, commented: “At a time of extraordinarily intense competition in global higher education, research and innovation, it is truly remarkable for the University of Oxford to have maintained its place as the world number one university in the rigorous Times Higher Education World University Rankings for ten years in a row. Oxford holds its position at the top of the world against better-funded US institutions and rapidly rising research powerhouses in East Asia, led by China.
The key to success is of course strength across the full range of 18 performance metrics deployed by the THE world rankings – which range across the teaching and research environments, research excellence, industry outreach and international outlook – but I think it is Oxford’s resolute international focus and commitment to international talent attraction and cross-boarder knowledge sharing, that really helps it hold on to the top position.”
The methodology behind THE’s ranking system includes an analysis based on almost 19 million research papers and input from 1.5 million votes collected through an Academic Reputation Survey. Data was gathered from more than 3,000 universities worldwide. Eighteen specific metrics are grouped into five categories: Teaching (with teaching reputation weighted highest), Research environment (including volume, income and reputation), Research quality (such as citation impact), International outlook (covering staff diversity and collaboration), and Industry engagement (income generation and patents).
Oxford performed strongly across all measured areas but excelled particularly in its research environment—reflecting academic reputation for research as well as funding success—and its international outlook through collaborations and recruitment of staff and students from around the world.
The announcement about this year’s results was made during the World Academic Summit on October 8 before an audience of approximately 800 international guests.
Following Oxford in this year's rankings were Massachusetts Institute of Technology in second place; Cambridge University tied with Princeton University for third.
The complete list can be accessed via THE World Education Rankings 2026.