Chinese Universities Surpass Harvard in the World’s Top Universities Ranking

Chinese universities have taken leading positions in the international ranking of the world’s best universities, compiled by Leiden University in the Netherlands.

In the new 2025 ranking, eight Chinese universities entered the top ten at once. Zhejiang University in Hangzhou took first place, Shanghai’s Xiaotong University took second, while the famous Harvard University (USA) fell to third place.

All positions from fourth to ninth were also occupied by Chinese universities, with the top ten closed by the University of Toronto (Canada).

Harvard has gradually been losing its positions in the ranking — two years ago it was first, and in 2025 it dropped from second to third.

According to the official ranking website, the number of scientific publications by universities is the main indicator considered when compiling the ranking.