QS World University Rankings 2025 live now: Top universities in Europe, ETH Zurich, Imperial, Oxford, and more
The QS World University Rankings 2025 are out, featuring 683 top European universities. ETH Zurich leads, followed by Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. Switzerland and the UK dominate the top spots, with strong showings from France, Germany, and other nations. The rankings highlight excellence in research, sustainability, and student mobility across Europe.
EPN Desk11 July 2024 11:15
Top Universities in Europe: If you're planning to study abroad, it's time to pay attention! The QS World University Rankings for 2025 are out, including 684 top universities in 40 European countries. The application process for the September 2024 intake is already underway, so if you dream of studying at a prestigious European university, start preparing now. This article highlights top 10 universities in Europe with outstanding performances in QS World University Rankings 2025.
UK and Switzerland Shine
Leading the pack, Switzerland's ETH Zurich has been crowned Europe's best university, climbing to the top spot globally. The UK also boasts impressive entries, with Imperial College London, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge among the top five worldwide.
Switzerland’s strong showing continues with EPFL – École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, securing its place among the continent’s elite. After the UK, Switzerland holds the most entries in Europe’s top 10.
A Continental Showcase
France and Germany are just a little behind in showcasing their top institutions. Université PSL represents France, while the Technical University of Munich leads for Germany. These universities excel in various areas, from international research to high employment outcomes for graduates.
The ranking, released by global higher education analyst QS-Quacquarelli Symonds, includes 684 institutions from 40 countries/territories. This year’s edition introduces ten new universities.
Eastern European Standouts
Eastern Europe also makes a mark, with the Czech Republic and Poland entering the top 100. Charles University (79th) and the University of Warsaw (96th) led the way.
Highlights Across Europe
France excels in international research and employment outcomes.
Germany leads in research production, boasting the most universities in the top 50.
Italy shines in research productivity, with 28 top 100 institutions for papers per faculty.
The Netherlands has the best international reputation, excelling in employer and academic reputation.
Spain leads in student mobility, dominating the rankings for outbound and inbound student exchanges.
Sweden excels in sustainability, with Lund and Uppsala Universities in the top five.
Turkey has 21 institutions in Europe’s top 500, with many improving their ranks.
Celebrating Excellence
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, expressed pride in the comprehensive benchmarking tool. “This edition enhances our ability to measure performance and provides valuable insights for institutions, policymakers, and prospective students. We're thrilled to celebrate ETH Zurich as the top university in Europe, driven by progressive ESG strategies, student exchanges, and impactful research.”
As the race for the best education heats up, Europe continues to be a hub of academic excellence. Whether it’s for research, sustainability, or student mobility, the continent's universities are setting benchmarks for the world. So, if you're aiming for the top, now's the time to start planning your journey to one of these prestigious institutions!
Top 100 European Universities for 2025 in QS World University Ranking
Rank
Institution Name
COUNTRY / TERRITORY
1
ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Switzerland
2
Imperial College London
United Kingdom
3
University of Oxford
United Kingdom
4
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
5
UCL
United Kingdom
6
The University of Edinburgh
United Kingdom
7
The University of Manchester
United Kingdom
8
King's College London
United Kingdom
9
Université PSL
France
10
EPFL
Switzerland
11
Technical University of Munich
Germany
12
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
