World University Rankings

Contents

  1. A word of caution regarding world university rankings ⚠️
  2. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne 🇫🇷
  3. Universidad Complutense de Madrid 🇪🇸
  4. LSE (The London School of Economics and Political Science) 🇬🇧
  5. Fudan University 🇨🇳
  6. INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales) 🇫🇷
  7. EFAP (École Française des Attachés de Presse) 🇫🇷
  8. UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) 🇺🇸
  9. Harvard University 🇺🇸
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You will discover here the 2025-2026 national and international university rankings of the eight academic institutions that shaped my education.

1. A word of caution regarding world university rankings

National and international rankings are not 100% reliable and should be taken with a grain of salt by both students and employers. It is important to consider the various criteria and methodologies used by these rankings to evaluate universities and the weighting of these criteria in the artificial hierarchy of universities.

World university rankings tend to favor comprehensive universities. They are tailored to measure “bibliometric and Anglophone” disciplines, such as fundamental research, the pure sciences or the “hard sciences,” rather than the “soft sciences” (I despise this term). So I place little importance on overall university rankings because they tend to undervalue universities specializing in the social sciences, such as the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the Università Bocconi or the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. It is therefore more interesting for me to examine rankings by discipline or subject in the social sciences and humanities.

Furthermore, it is difficult to compare universities with different educational systems. Major US and UK universities are primarily research-oriented, while other universities around the world focus more on professional training, rather than theoretical training, to help students find employment as quickly as possible. This is especially true in my field of business administration, management, marketing, and strategy. During my Sorbonne Master’s degree in France, more than 50% of my professors were recognized professionals who practice management daily, and during my EFAP MBA in France, 100% of my professors were superstar professionals in their respective fields, with a long professional experience, not researchers, nor academics. Conversely, 100% of my professors at LSE in the UK were world-class social scientists (leading scholars from the fields of media studies, communication studies, global studies, gender studies, sociology, social psychology, media economics, political economy, political science, media law and public policy) and prolific authors getting their articles published in the most prestigious academic journals of the social sciences and humanities.

Moreover, world university rankings are primarily based on research output and the number of publications by researchers in the most famous and prestigious Anglo-Saxon scientific journals like Nature and Science (especially true for ARWU), the number of research citations per research paper (especially true for THE), as well as the global reputation of universities (especially true for QS), thus favoring English-language universities (especially based in the US, in the UK, in Canada, in Australia, in Singapore and in Hong Kong). Non-English-speaking public universities and researchers (particularly from France, Italy and Spain) are always significantly disadvantaged by all the world university rankings because of the language barrier. The same is true for European public universities which never advertise and do not participate in global marketing campaigns (unlike many European private business schools that seek to build their global reputation and to attract more clients/students and/or leading scholars around the world through national and global advertising).

“France has the lowest level of English proficiency of any European Union country, while Swedes were ranked the best internationally.” (Euronews)

Source: Euronews, Which EU countries are the best and worst at speaking English? published on 03/11/2018.

If you look at the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Arts and Humanities, the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is #18 and is the first non-English-speaking university in the world. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Law & Legal Studies, the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is #19 and is again the first non-English-speaking university in the world. All the universities ranked higher than Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne are located in English-speaking countries: in the US (Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, UCLA, Princeton, MIT and Chicago), the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Edinburgh and King’s College), Australia (Melbourne, UNSW and Sydney), Canada (Toronto) and Singapore (NUS).

Top French, Italian, and Spanish universities are world leaders in the “real and applied disciplines” of professional schools (such as law, engineering, medicine and psychology) and in the humanities and social sciences (such as history, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, economics, sociology). But international rankings do not measure the actual performance of universities in law, engineering, and medicine (hospital-based clinical research not captured by rankings), for example. And world university rankings also fail to measure the performance of Southern European universities, since French researchers publish in French, Italian researchers publish in Italian, and Spanish researchers publish in Spanish. This is even more true in the social sciences and humanities. Therefore, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Sorbonne Université, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universitat de Barcelona, Università di Bologna, and Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, for example, are particularly undervalued in world university rankings. However, this could perhaps change in the future with the development of AI use by European researchers and world university rankings.

Finally, money talks. The funding and budgets of universities differ greatly.
The Harvard University endowment, valued at $56.9 billion as of June 30, 2025, is the largest academic endowment in the world. Harvard’s total operating expenses reached $6.8 billion in 2025. By comparison, the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne’s annual budget was only €250 million (4%).

We must pay tribute here to the extraordinary teaching and research staff of the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (and French academics across France in general) who accomplish so much with so little. The budget of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is only 4% of Harvard’s budget in 2025. French universities are experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis, with budgets and salaries allocated by the French state that are minuscule and scandalous on the international stage! The relatively high rankings of French universities, and in particular those of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in Arts and Humanities (#15 in 2025 and #18 in 2026), Archaeology (#12), Classics & Ancient History (#11), History (#15), Geography (#23), Philosophy (#25 in 2024 and #35 in 2026), Modern Languages (#42), Social Sciences & Management (#53 in 2025 and #57 in 2026), Law & Legal Studies (#17 in 2024 and #19 in 2026), Anthropology (#40), Development Studies (#25 in 2025 and #40 in 2026), Economics & Econometrics (#49), Sociology (#55), and Politics (#66 in 2025 and #70 in 2026), and of Sorbonne University (formerly Paris 4 and Paris 6) in Arts and Humanities (#31), Classics & Ancient History (#29), Modern Languages (#27), English Language and Literature (#62), Linguistics (#89), Natural Sciences (#22), Mathematics (#11), Geophysics (#18), Geology (#23), Earth & Marine Sciences (#26), Physics & Astronomy (#32), Chemistry (#46), Life Sciences & Medicine (#46), Anatomy & Physiology (#31), Biological Sciences (#40), Medicine (#41), Engineering & Technology (#80), and Computer Science & Information Systems (#52), are therefore truly remarkable and deserve to be mentioned, commended and praised. Congratulations to these wonderful professors and researchers! 👏👏👏

For the first time in global academic history, the price tag for one year of college is now reaching $100,000 at several private colleges and universities in the US. For example: Barnard College, Vassar College, Columbia, NYU and USC attendance costs are around $100,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. Harvard University’s tuition is $64,796 on average (according to U.S. News). Whereas the tuition fees at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (or at any French public university) are €254 per year for master’s students, €178 for bachelor’s students and €0 for scholarship students in 2025-2026. This very important financial criteria for students is never taken into account by these rankings. Higher education is even 100% free in some European countries.

These world university rankings should therefore be interpreted with caution, keeping in mind their numerous biases and important limitations.

2. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

The University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (informally la Sorbonne or just Paris 1) is the leading university for arts, humanities, social sciences and management in France and is famous in the entire Francophone world. It resulted from the 1970 partial merger of the Faculty of Law and Economics (Panthéon) and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Sorbonne) of the University of Paris dating back from the 11th century, the oldest or second-oldest university in the world. The University of Paris 1 has the most prestigious reputation in the cultural and creative industries in France. Paris 1 has been known for many years for its leading research and degrees of high excellence in the fields of history/law/economics/management of the arts, culture, heritage, cinema, audiovisual, communication, media and digital media. Paris 1 is the best university for the study of arts and humanities in France, ranked as the 15th best university in the world for Arts and Humanities in 2025, only competing with Sorbonne Université (ranked #24 in the world, formerly Université Paris IV Paris-Sorbonne and Université Paris VI Pierre et Marie Curie). Paris 1 is the best university for audiovisual, cinema and film studies in France, only competing with the Université Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle. The Sorbonne Law School is the best law school in France, ranked as the 20th best university in the world for Law and Legal Studies in 2025, only competing with the Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas in France (ranked between the 101-150 positions). The Sorbonne Department of Political Science is one of the best in France, only competing with Sciences Po Paris. The Sorbonne School of Economics, a founding member of the Paris School of Economics (PSE), is one of the best in France, only competing with the Toulouse School of Economics (Université Toulouse 1 Capitole). The Paris School of Economics has been ranked 5th in the world (after Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, and Chicago, but ahead of Stanford, Oxford, Toulouse, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Barcelona, NYU, Brown, UPenn, and LSE) and 1st in France and in all Europe among the Top Economics Departments (RePEc / IDEAS ranking 2026, the reference ranking in the world for research in economics). The Paris School of Economics has even been ranked in the World Top 3, alongside MIT and Harvard (Institutions 10/10, RePEc/IDEAS ranking 2026). The Sorbonne School of Management is one of the best in France for teaching and research in business administration and management, alongside INSEAD, HEC Paris, ESCP Business School, ESSEC Business School, and Université Paris IX Dauphine. As the successor to the Faculty of Law and Economics of the University of Paris, the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has played a crucial role in the development of teaching and research in Management Sciences in France, notably through its joint doctoral school with HEC Paris in the 1990s, and now with ESCP. For many years, HEC Paris had a joint doctoral school in management with the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, the doctoral program of ESCP Business School (the oldest business school in the world, ranked #2 in France) awards a PhD delivered by the Sorbonne School of Management. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has a long history of offering double degrees and dual degrees with HEC Paris and ESCP Business School. The University of Paris 1 and ESCP are close partners within Sorbonne Alliance. The Panthéon-Sorbonne Doctoral School of Management is currently the largest doctoral school in business and management sciences in France by number of members with 250 doctoral candidates (by comparison, there are currently 127 PhD students at the Harvard Business School, 86 PhD students at INSEAD and 56 PhD students at HEC Paris). Paris 1 has around 350 international partners in 73 countries, covering all five continents, and offers double degrees with Columbia University (New York), Cornell University, Fudan University (Shanghai), King’s College (London) and now Queen Mary University of London, Humboldt (Berlin), Complutense (Madrid), Florence, Cologne, HEC Paris, Sciences Po Paris, etc. Columbia University and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne created the Alliance Program in 2002. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Cornell University‘s Cornell Law School founded the Cornell-Paris 1 Summer Institute. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne was part of the Europaeum for many years (1997-2023), gathering the most prestigious European universities (University of Oxford, Università di Bologna, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, etc.), and is now part of Una Europa and Sorbonne Alliance (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle, ESCP Business School and INALCO).

Paris 1 is ranked globally in the QS World University Rankings:

  • #15 for Arts and Humanities (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. According to QS: “Many of the top universities in this area of teaching are in English-speaking countries with Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne the highest-ranked exception (up four places this year to 15th)”.
  • #15 for Archaeology (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #19 for History (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #20 for Law & Legal Studies (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #21-50 for Art History (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #22 for Classics & Ancient History (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #25 for Development Studies (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #32 for Philosophy (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #34 for Geography (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #44 for Hospitality & Leisure Management (#2 in France after Vatel) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #46 for Anthropology (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #50 for Modern Languages (#2 in France after Sorbonne Université) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #53 for Social Sciences & Management (#3 in France after INSEAD and HEC Paris) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #60 for Economics & Econometrics (#2 in France after the Paris School of Economics – PSE, of which Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is a founding member) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #66 for Politics (#2 in France after Sciences Po Paris) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #79 for Sociology (#3 in France after Sciences Po Paris and EHESS) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #93 for Accounting & Finance (#5 in France after HEC Paris, INSEAD, PSL and ESSEC) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Communication & Media Studies (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Social Policy & Administration (#2 in France after Sciences Po Paris) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #145 for Performing Arts (#4 in France after Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris, Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon and Sorbonne Université) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #151-200 for Architecture & Built Environment (#1 in France) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #151-200 for Art & Design (#4 in France after Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs / ENSAD, École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle / ENSCI – Les Ateliers and École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris / ENSBA / Beaux-Arts de Paris) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Paris 1 is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

  • #47 for Arts and Humanities (#3 in France after Université PSL and Sorbonne Université) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #61 for Law (#1 in France) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025

3. Universidad Complutense de Madrid

ucm logo

The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM, “la Docta”, or informally “la Complu”) is regarded as the most prestigious university in Spain and famous in the entire Hispanophone world (LATAM). La Complutense is the best university in Spain according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is, with the Universities of Paris (1045), Bologna (1088), Oxford (1096), Salamanca (1130) and Cambridge (1209), one of the oldest universities in the world (1293) and the largest university in Spain. Of the eight Spanish Nobel Prize winners, seven studied or were professors at the Complutense University. It has the most prestigious reputation in the cultural and creative industries in Spain. The Complutense Faculty of Media and Communication Science is considered the most famous, the oldest and the best in Spain, especially for careers in audiovisual, film, journalism, press, media, communication, advertising and PR. The Complutense Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is constantly ranked in the Top 6 for business and management teaching and research in Spain, competing with the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona), ESADE/Universitat Ramon Llull (private), IESE/Universidad de Navarra (private) and IE University (private). La Complutense has international partnerships with more than 900 institutions located in 77 countries, including its longstanding relationships with the most prestigious universities in the USA (Harvard, Chicago, Berkeley), in England (Oxford), in France (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and in Italy (La Sapienza). Complutense has 2 centers abroad: the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University founded with Harvard University in 1990 and the Collège des Hautes Etudes Européennes Miguel Servet in Paris created with the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in 1993.

The Complutense University of Madrid has been ranked as the best university in Spain in the QS World University Rankings 2025:

La Universidad Complutense de Madrid es la mejor universidad de España, según la última edición del QS World University Rankings (UCM)

La Complutense, primera universidad española en el Ranking QS tras ascender hasta el puesto 164 del mundo (La Vanguardia)

Las mejores universidades del mundo según el ranking QS 2025 (gradoMania)

Las 10 mejores universidades de España en 2025 según QS (Marketing Educativo)

The Complutense University of Madrid has also been constantly ranked as the best university in Spain by the prestigious newspaper El Mundo.

In the 2025 edition, the 10 Spanish universities with the highest presence in El Mundo’s ranking are:

  1. Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  2. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona
  3. Universidad de Barcelona
  4. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  5. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
  6. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
  7. Universidad de Navarra
  8. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  9. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña
  10. Universidad Ramón Llull

Source: Ranking El Mundo 2025 con las mejores universidades de España para estudiar 50 grados universitarios

La Complutense is ranked globally in the QS World University Rankings:

  • #48 for Modern Languages (#1 in Spain) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for History (#1 in Spain) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for Classics & Ancient History (#1 in Spain) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for Communication & Media Studies (#1 in Spain tied with Universidad de Navarra) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for Archaeology (#1 in Spain tied with Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for Anthropology (#1 in Spain tied with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universitat de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #51-100 for Development Studies (#1 in Spain tied with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universitat de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #60 for Arts and Humanities (#1 in Spain) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #76 for Law & Legal Studies (#1 in Spain) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #93 for Education & Training (#2 in Spain after Universitat de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Politics (#1 in Spain tied with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universitat Pompeu Fabra) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for English Language and Literature (#1 in Spain tied with Universitat de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Sociology (#2 in Spain after Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Geography (#2 in Spain after Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #101-150 for Linguistics (#3 in Spain after Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #151-200 for Art & Design (#3 in Spain after Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya/UPC and Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and on par with Universidad Politécnica de Madrid/UPM) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

La Complutense is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

  • #72 for Arts and Humanities (#2 in Spain after Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #80 for Law (#1 in Spain) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025

4. The London School of Economics and Political Science

1200px london school of economics logo with name.svg

The London School of Economics and Political Science (informally the London School of Economics or LSE) is the best university in the UK ahead of Oxford and Cambridge according to the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 2026. The LSE is usually ranked as the best university in London and in the Top 3 in the United Kingdom with Oxbridge. Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College, King’s College and UCL form the “Golden Triangle” of the UK elite universities. The London School of Economics, part of the University of London, has been considered for many years as the leading university for social sciences and management in the world, second only to Harvard University (QS). As of 2017, 26% (or 13 out of 49) of all the Nobel Prizes in Economics have been awarded to LSE alumni and current and former staff. As of 2025, 21 Nobel Prize laureates in economics, peace and literature are recognised by the school as being LSE alumni and staff. Two for Literature, three for Peace and 16 for Economic Sciences. LSE alumni and former staff include 55 past or present heads of state or government. Since 1990, the London School of Economics has educated 24 heads of state or government, the second highest of any university in the United Kingdom after the University of Oxford. The London School of Economics is in the World Top 5 of the favorite universities of employers with Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and MIT. In terms of incomes, LSE graduates are earning more than those from any other UK university, including more prestigious ones like Oxford and Cambridge. Out of all universities in Europe, LSE has educated the most billionaires according to a 2014 global census of dollar billionaires. LSE has the most prestigious reputation in the creative industries in the United Kingdom. The LSE Department of Media and Communications was ranked for many years as the best in the UK and in Europe and 3rd in the entire world, just after USC and Berkeley, and even 2nd best in the world in 2024 (QS). LSE offers joint degrees with Columbia University (New York), NYU (New York University), USC (University of Southern California), Peking University, Fudan University (Shanghai), HEC Paris, Sciences Po Paris, etc.

LSE has been ranked as the best university in the world for Social Sciences & Management after Harvard University for many years by QS.

The London School of Economics and Political Science was ranked second globally for nine consecutive years, from 2013 to 2021, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject: Social Sciences & Management.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Social Sciences & Management

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020: Social Sciences & Management

LSE has been ranked as the best university in the world for Communication & Media Studies after the University of Amsterdam by QS.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Communication & Media Studies

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide has ranked LSE as the best university in the UK ahead of Oxford and Cambridge two years in a row, in 2025 and in 2026, and also named the London School of Economics and Political Science as its ‘University of the Year 2025’.

Good University Guide 2025

Good University Guide 2026

UK University Rankings 2026: League table

Press review about the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 (national ranking):

Why LSE is the Sunday Times University of the Year 2025 (The Times)

This is the first time the Good University Guide has awarded LSE the prestigious ‘University of the Year’ title, and the first time it has been ranked number one in the country (LSE)

LSE beats Oxford and Cambridge to top spot in UK university rankings (The Independent)

LSE Named UK’s Best University for the First Time in History (South West Londoner)

LSE has been named the best university in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times (The Tab)

LSE beats Oxford and Cambridge to top spot in UK university rankings (London Evening Standard)

Press review about the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (national ranking):

LSE named as top university in the UK (LSE)

London School of Economics named UK’s top university as Oxbridge pushed out of top three for first time (London Evening Standard)

Oxford and Cambridge pushed out of top three UK university rankings for first time (The Independent)

The Times Good University Guide 2026 is out, and Oxbridge aren’t the best UK unis anymore (The Tab)

The London university that is officially better than Oxford and Cambridge for 2026 (Time Out)

LSE is ranked globally in the QS World University Rankings:

  • #2 for Philosophy (#1 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #2 for Geography (#2 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #3 for Development Studies (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #5 for Politics (#2 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #5 for Sociology (#2 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #6 for Communication & Media Studies (#1 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #6 for Social Sciences & Management (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #6 for Law & Legal Studies (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #6 for History (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #7 for Social Policy & Administration (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #8 for Economics & Econometrics (#1 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #8 for Accounting & Finance (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #11 for Anthropology (#4 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #12 for Business & Management Studies (#4 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #18 for Marketing (#3 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 (#10 in the world and #2 in the UK in 2026)
  • #54 for Arts and Humanities (#8 in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #56 in the QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities (#9 in the UK)

LSE is ranked globally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as “the Shanghai Ranking“:

  • #5 for Political Sciences (#1 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #9 for Economics (#1 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #9 for Finance (#2 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #26 for Sociology (#5 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #34 for Public Administration (#6 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #36 for Statistics (#5 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #37 for Communication (#3 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #51-75 for Law (#6 in the UK) in the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”

LSE is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

  • #9 for Social Sciences (#3 in the UK) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #10 for Business and Economics (#3 in the UK) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #31 for Arts and Humanities (#6 in the UK) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #50 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (#7 in the UK)

5. Fudan University

fudan university

复旦大学  (Fudan University or informally Fudan) is the best university in Shanghai and is ranked in the Top 3 in China, just after Beida (Peking University) and Tsinghua. Fudan is a world leading university in social sciences and management. It has the most prestigious reputation in the cultural and creative industries in China. The Fudan Journalism School, with its four departments of Journalism, Broadcasting, Communication and Advertising, is regarded as the oldest (1929), the most famous and the best School of Communication and Journalism in China, alongside the prestigious Renmin University of China School of Journalism and Communication (1955) and the Communication University of China (1954). Fudan University offers prestigious double degrees with Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in international economics and globalization, with the London Business School and Università Bocconi in international management and globalization, with Sciences Po Paris in international relations and globalization and with the London School of Economics and Political Science in international communication and globalization (I was part of the first cohort of this innovative LSE-Fudan double degree launched in 2007). 

Fudan is ranked globally in the QS World University Rankings:

  • #12 for Linguistics (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #20 for Politics (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #22 for Modern Languages (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #22 for Classics & Ancient History (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #23 for Library & Information Management (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #26 for History (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #29 for Development Studies (#1 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #30 in the QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities (#3 in China)
  • #31 for Economics & Econometrics (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #37 for Accounting & Finance (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #37 for Geography (#5 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #38 for Marketing (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #39 for Computer Science and Information Systems (#5 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #40 for Social Policy & Administration (#4 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #41 for Philosophy (#5 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #44 for Business & Management Studies (#4 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #44 for Archaeology (#2 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #45 for Sociology (#4 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #49 for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #58 for Social Sciences and Management (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #79 for Arts and Humanities (#3 in China) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Fudan is ranked globally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as “the Shanghai Ranking“:

  • #41 in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #51-75 for Economics (#2 in mainland China) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #101-150 for Communication (#1 in mainland China) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”

Fudan is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

  • #27 for Business and Economics (#4 in China) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • #36 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (#3 in China)
  • #98 for Social Sciences (#4 in China) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025

6. INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales)

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The National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (informally “Langues O'”, Inalco or INALCO) resulted from the merger of the Ecole des Jeunes de Langues founded in 1669 by Colbert and the Ecole Spéciale des Langues Orientales founded by Lakanal in 1795, to train French expatriates of diplomacy and international trade. It is the oldest European and World academic institution totally devoted to teaching and researching non-Western European cultures, that started in France under King Francis I of France in 1530 thanks to Guillaume Budé with the creation of the Collège des Trois Langues (now Collège de France). INALCO is the best institution for the study of more than 100 languages (this is unique in the world) and the most difficult place where to learn oriental languages in France with prestigious departments such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian. Teaching Russian since 1817, it has the largest Russian department in France and in all Europe, with over 700 students every year pursuing Russian studies. Inspired by INALCO, the University of London finally created the equivalent in 1916 to serve the British empire: SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies. INALCO is the world’s largest provider of language training courses (104 languages taught as of 2024). INALCO is usually considered the best school in France for the study of modern languages, competing with Université Paris III Sorbonne-Nouvelle and Université Paris IV Paris-Sorbonne (now called Sorbonne Université). More specifically, for learning Russian, the two best schools in France are probably INALCO and Sorbonne Université. INALCO has been ranked in 2026 for the very first time in Linguistics by QS : #95 in the world and #3 in France, behind Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Université. With over 120 nationalities represented among its students and teachers, INALCO is one of the most international and diverse institutions of higher education in France and around the world. INALCO has always had a special relationship with the Sorbonne: from 1971 until 1984, INALCO was part of Université Paris 3 Sorbonne-Nouvelle, from 2010 to 2024 INALCO was part of Sorbonne Paris Cité, and in 2024 INALCO joined Sorbonne Alliance founded by Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle and ESCP Business School.

7. EFAP

logo efap

EFAP (formely known as the Ecole Française des Attachés de Presse), created in Paris in 1961 by the Sorbonne alumnus, philosopher and entrepreneur Denis Huisman, is one of the leading and most famous French communication schools. It has the most prestigious reputation in the cultural and creative industries in France (especially in the advertising and PR industry, in the media and entertainment industry and in the fashion and luxury industry). The school has campuses in Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, Lyon, New York and Shanghai. According to the rankings published by the reference magazines Stratégies, L’Etudiant or Le Figaro Etudiant, EFAP is ranked in the Top 5 communication schools by French communication professionals, competing with public schools such as CELSA (Sorbonne Université) and Sciences Po Paris and other private schools such as ISCOM and Sup de Pub. 

8. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the best or second-best public university in the US (according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges and Best National Universities Rankings). UCLA was ranked number one public university in the US for eight consecutive years, from the 2018 edition through the 2025 edition of the U.S. News ranking. In the 2026 ranking, UC Berkeley moved to #1 and UCLA to #2. UC Berkeley and UCLA are the two flagship campuses of the University of California. UCLA is one of the leading universities in AI (artificial intelligence) in the world and was ranked #7 in the world and second in the US for AI in the Shanghai Ranking 2025, behind Tsinghua and Carnegie Mellon but ahead of Stanford, Harvard, Peking, Oxford, Shanghai Jiao Tong, NYU, MIT, and Berkeley. UCLA is one of the leading universities in the world for media management and the entertainment business (especially for the movie industry, the television industry, the streaming industry, and the music industry), alongside USC (University of Southern California) and NYU (New York University). The American cultural and creative industries are massively fueled by USC, NYU and UCLA alumni, due to their location in the two US cultural and media capitals and entertainment hubs: New York City and Los Angeles.

UCLA is ranked by U.S. News:

UCLA is ranked globally in the QS World University Rankings:

UCLA is ranked globally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as “the Shanghai Ranking“:

  • #6 for Psychology (#5 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #7 for Artificial Intelligence (#2 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #7 for Clinical Medicine (#6 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #12 for Economics (#11 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #13 for Human Biological Sciences (#10 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #16 in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities – “the Shanghai Ranking” (#12 in the US)
  • #18 for Statistics (#15 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #19 for Public Health (#11 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #20 for Sociology (#18 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #26 for Political Sciences (#16 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #29 for Biological Sciences (#20 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #38 for Finance (#19 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”

UCLA is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

9. Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Harvard has been ranked as the most prestigious university in the world for fourteen consecutive years (according to the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025: top universities by prestige), the best university in the world for many years (according to the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings and also according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities – ARWU or Shanghai Ranking, since its creation in 2003), and the world’s best university for social sciences and management and the world’s best university for business and management studies for many years (according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).

Harvard is ranked by U.S. News:

Harvard is ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities:

  • #5 university in the world (#3 in the US after MIT and Stanford)

Harvard is ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026:

  • #1 for Social Sciences & Management. LSE is ranked #5, UCLA #23, Fudan #53, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #57 and Complutense #141.
  • #1 for Sociology. LSE #6, UCLA #14, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #55, Fudan University #73 and Complutense University of Madrid #81.
  • #1 for Economics & Econometrics. LSE #6, UCLA #14, Fudan #34, Paris School of Economics #40 and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #49.
  • #1 for Accounting & Finance. LSE #8, UCLA #15 and Fudan University #46.
  • #1 for Business & Management Studies. LSE #11, UCLA #44 and Fudan University #57.
  • #1 for Marketing. LSE #10, UCLA #46 and Fudan University #51-100.
  • #1 for Psychology. UCLA #11, LSE #19, Complutense University of Madrid #101-150 and Fudan University #101-150.
  • #1 for Politics. LSE #5, UCLA #28, Fudan University #58, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #70 and Complutense University #101-150.
  • #1 for Social Policy & Administration. LSE #4, UCLA #25, Fudan #51-100, Université Paris 1 Sorbonne #51-100 and Complutense #101-150.
  • #1 for Law & Legal Studies. LSE #9, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #19, UCLA #31, Complutense University #67 and Fudan University #74.
  • #1 for Natural Sciences. Sorbonne University #22, UCLA # 22, Fudan University #36 and Complutense University of Madrid #210.
  • #1 for Life Sciences & Medicine. UCLA #13, Sorbonne University #46, Fudan University #70 and Complutense University of Madrid #139.
  • #1 for Medicine. UCLA #13, Sorbonne University #41, Fudan University #78 and Complutense University of Madrid #110.
  • #1 for Biological Sciences. UCLA #15, Sorbonne University #40, Fudan University #61 and Complutense University of Madrid #172.
  • #1 for Pharmacy & Pharmacology. Fudan University #65, Sorbonne University #100 and Complutense University of Madrid #101-150.
  • #1 for History. LSE #10, UCLA #14, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #15, Fudan University #37 and Complutense University #51-100.
  • #2 for Arts & Humanities (#1 in the US). UCLA #11, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #18, LSE #45, Fudan #50 and Complutense #70.
  • #2 for Anthropology (#1 in the US). UCLA #7, LSE #8, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #40, Complutense #51-100 and Fudan #101-200.
  • #2 for Physics & Astronomy (#2 in the US). UCLA #16, Sorbonne University #32, Fudan University #47 and Complutense University #151-200.
  • #2 for Chemistry (#2 in the US). UCLA #16, Fudan University #30, Sorbonne University #46 and Complutense University of Madrid #154.
  • #3 for Communication & Media Studies (#1 in the US). LSE #6, UCLA #25, Complutense University of Madrid #45 and Fudan University #51-100.
  • #3 for Modern Languages (#1 in the US). UCLA #9, Sorbonne University #27, Fudan University #48, Complutense #54 and LSE #101-150.
  • #3 for English Language and Literature (#1 in the US). UCLA #9, Sorbonne University #63, Fudan University #87 and Complutense #101-150.
  • #3 for Statistics and Operational Research (#3 in the US). UCLA #19, Fudan University #40, LSE #45 and Sorbonne University 51-100.
  • #4 for Archaeology (#1 in the US). Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #12, UCLA #13, Fudan University #45, Complutense University #51-100.
  • #4 for Mathematics (#2 in the US). Sorbonne University #11, UCLA #12, Fudan University #32 and Complutense University of Madrid #151-200.
  • #4 for Geophysics (#2 in the US). Sorbonne University #18, UCLA #27 and Complutense University of Madrid #151-200.
  • #4 for Geology (#2 in the US). Sorbonne University #23, UCLA #27 and Fudan University #101-150.
  • #4 for Earth & Marine Sciences (#2 in the US). UCLA #24, Sorbonne University #26 and Fudan University #151-200.
  • #6 for Materials Sciences (#3 in the US). UCLA #19, Fudan University #45 and Sorbonne University #107.
  • #7 for Development Studies (#1 in the US). LSE #4, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #40, UCLA #43, Complutense #51-100, Fudan #101-150.
  • #7 for Linguistics (#3 in the US). UCLA #10, Fudan University #58, Sorbonne University #89 and Complutense University of Madrid #101-150.
  • #7 for Computer Science and Information Systems (#5 in the US). UCLA #19, Fudan #49, Sorbonne University #52 and Complutense #168.
  • #8 for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (#5 in the US). UCLA #14, Fudan #37, LSE #51-100, Complutense #101-200, Paris 1 #101-200.
  • #9 for Engineering & Technology (#4 in the US). UCLA #27, Sorbonne University #80 and Fudan University #82.
  • #9 for Philosophy (#4 in the US). LSE #8, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #35, Complutense #51-100, Fudan #51-100 and UCLA #151-200.
  • #9 for Classics & Ancient History (#1 in the US). Fudan #2, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #11, Complutense #51-150 and UCLA #51-150.
  • #13 for Dentistry (#3 in the US). Complutense University of Madrid #11 and UCLA #26.
  • NB: Harvard is not ranked in Geography. LSE #2, UCLA #10, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne #23, Complutense #51-100 and Fudan #51-100.
  • Interesting fact #1: In 1948, Harvard University President James Conant declared “Geography is not a university subject.” and Harvard shut down its geography department. In the ensuing decades, US universities began dropping geography as an academic discipline (Harvard being considered “the mother” of all American universities, like the Sorbonne in France). Harvard was ranked only once in geography by QS, in 2024: Harvard was #4 (#1 in the US), right behind Oxford, LSE and Cambridge. As of 2026, Dartmouth is the only Ivy League university with a geography department.
  • Interesting fact #2: Surprisingly, the highest ranking of the London School of Economics and Political Science is not in economics or political science. Nor in anthropology, development studies, history, law, sociology or social policy and administration. But in geography! For many years, LSE has been ranked #2 in the world for geography by QS. It is also worth noting that LSE was ranked #2 in the world for three other subjects: social sciences & management for many years (#2 behind Harvard, including in 2020 and in 2021), communication & media studies (#2 in 2024, usually ranked #3 in the past years) and philosophy (#2 in 2024 and in 2025). This demonstrates the excellence of LSE in the social sciences and humanities and why LSE is sometimes nicknamed “the European Harvard”.

Harvard is ranked globally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as “the Shanghai Ranking“:

  • #1 in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities – “the Shanghai Ranking” (ranked #1 ever since the first issue of this ranking in 2003)
  • #1 for Sociology in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Psychology in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Political Sciences in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Law in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Clinical Medicine in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Public Health in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Biological Sciences in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Human Biological Sciences in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #1 for Statistics in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #2 for Economics (after the University of Chicago) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #2 for Finance (after the University of Chicago) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #4 for Business Administration (#1 in the US) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #4 for Management (#3 in the US after MIT and Texas A&M) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”
  • #12 for Artificial Intelligence (#4 in the US after Carnegie Mellon, UCLA and Stanford) in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – “the Shanghai Ranking”

Harvard is ranked globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings:

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