The definitive annual table – now in its 15^th year – lists more than 1,250 higher education institutions globally, up from just over 1,100 last year, and features 86 countries, up from 81- making it the most competitive listing yet.

Iraq is represented for first time in the table’s 15-year history. Its University of Baghdad becomes a global top 1000 institution, debuting in the prestigious listing’s 801-1,000 band, with a strongest areas being citation impact (research influence) and international research collaboration. Meanwhile Iran is the best-represented MENA country in this year’s listing. The country has an impressive 29 universities included, up from 18 last year. Its lead institution, the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, slips from the top 350, to the top 400 this year. However it jointly tops the global table for its citations impact (research influence). While the university is not a global top research institute, it has produced several highly cited, impactful papers this year.

Egypt’s presence in the table more than doubles this year - from nine to 19 institutions. The country’s American University in Cairo retains its position in the global top 800 (601-800 banding). Two institutions - Benha University and Kafrelsheikh University - enter in at the same band, while Mansoura University and Suez Canal University both rise this year to likewise join the top 800, both seeing strong improvements to their citation impact (research influence) scores. Saudi Arabia has six universities included this year, up from five. Its flagship, King Abdulaziz University maintains its position in the top 250. The institution has very strong scores for citation impact (research influence) and international outlook, and, with an improved research (volume) score, could soon climb into the elite global top 200. Meanwhile, Alfaisal University climbs three bands into the global top 350, with a marked improvement to its citation impact score.

Qatar retains one representative in the listing. Qatar University holds its position in the global top 500 - but comes joint top of the global table for its international outlook (with City University of Hong Kong (CityU). THE determines the top universities in the international outlook pillar based on their proportions of international staff and students, as well as their international research collaborations. Elsewhere in the region: The UAE retains four institutions in the table; Kuwait retains one; Oman retains one; Algeria increases its presence, with six institutions included, up from one; Lebanon has two institutions, up from one; Morocco has four, up from three – as does Jordan; Tunisia has three included, up from two; Israel retains six.

Phil Baty, Editorial Director of Global Rankings for THE, said: “THE’s World University Rankings is the most rigorous there is, and this is our most globally competitive listing to date. So it’s particularly impressive to see such an improved presence from the MENA region this year, with greatly improved research influence and international outlook among many institutions. The region has the potential to become a key global competitor – and innovator – in higher education, however in particular it will require intensified focus and investment in research capabilities, and a drive to recruit and retain top global talent, in order to compete with the relentless ascent of east Asia. Embracing these global data comparisons is the key first step. Hugely important in developing greater visibility and fostering future success, they help universities improve and compete regionally and worldwide.”

 Global round and results tables below

On the 2019 global picture, Mr Baty continued: “As China and other emerging nations position universities at the heart of national economic growth strategies, they could well challenge the continued Anglo-American dominance of the rankings in future years. "China’s formula for success – strengthening its international outlook and global partnerships, sustaining heavy investment in lead institutions, an intense focus on attracting and retaining the best global talent – is boosting its reputation and influence worldwide, and other emerging nations have begun to emulate it.

“In contrast – traditional power regions like America, Europe and Australia are experiencing the effects of deepening cuts and creeping isolationism. Maintaining current standards of excellence on those terms is unsustainable, and - amid mounting global competition - we again see signs of stagnation and modest decline among established strongholds. As east Asian universities continue to rise up the ranks, the future of the old elite will depend on strong investment, and positive policies that allow universities to attract and retain the very best international talent.”

THE’s World University Ranking 2019 will be launched at THE’s World Academic Summit at the National University of Singapore.

THE World University Rankings 2019 global roundup 

 The Top 10

Oxford University claims first position for a third consecutive year, also topping the list for the research pillar (volume, income and reputation). Cambridge retains second, while Stanford in the US holds steady in third. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) rises one place to number four but the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) drops from last year’s joint third position, to number five – however the university tops the list for the teaching pillar (learning environment). Yale is the highest riser in the top 20, scaling four places to join the top 10, in eighth.

United States: The United States remains the most-represented nation in the table, with 172 institutions, up from 157. Though the majority of its universities – 130 of them – decline or remain static. While nation also continues to dominate the top 200, with 60 universities included, this is down from 62 last year, and more than half (32) decline, while 10 retain their previous position and 18 improve. The nation is led by Stanford University in third, but the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – last year’s joint third, and which led the ranking between 2012 and 2016 – loses further ground this year, dropping two places to fifth.

Europe: Europe remains a significant power player in the ranking but presents a mixed picture for 2019, amid increased competition. Seven European institutions are represented in the 2019 top 30, the same as last year, and its universities occupy almost half of the top 200.

The UK is surpassed as the second most-represented nation in the table for the first time – with Japan claiming 103 positions to the UK’s 98 (up from 93). Oxford and Cambridge universities top the global table again, claiming first and second position respectively. But the majority of the country’s previously ranked institutions – 77 of them – remain static or decline. The UK remains the second most-represented country in the global top 200 (after the US) - however, takes a modest reputational hit this year with the majority - 21 of 29 - remaining static or declining, and two slipping from the top 200 entirely.

Turkey: Turkey has 23 institutions included in the 2019 table, up from 22. Koç University slips into national second place this year, as it drops down two bands, leaving Sabancı University, which retains its global top 400 position, as the country’s lead institution. Most decline or retain their position. Anadolu University however moves up one band to enter the top 1000, in the 801–1000 band, and jointly tops the global table for its industry income score, along with Istanbul Technical University, which retains its global top 800 position.

Russia: Russia increases its presence in this year’s listing – with 35 representatives, up from 27, but its institutions struggle to progress. Lomonosov Moscow State University, the nation’s flagship, retains its top spot but only just clings to the global top 200 - dropping five places to joint 199^th due to falls in its teaching and research reputation and international research collaboration.

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan: Mainland China gets a new number one. Up eight places at number 22, Tsinghua University is the nation’s new number one, surpassing Peking University (down four places to 31) to claim China’s highest position since 2011. Tsinghua supplants the National University of Singapore as Asia’s top institution and overtakes the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and New York University. China’s highest-ranked new entrant, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) – only established in 2011 – makes an impressive debut in the listing’s global top 350. China is fourth most-represented globally in the table, with 72 universities (up from 63) - and retains seven in the elite top 200.

Meanwhile four of Hong Kong’s six representatives rise up the table, with five making the top 200 for the third consecutive year, despite increased global competition. And Taiwan has 32 institutions included in this year’s global listing, up from 31, but sees the majority stay static or decline.
 
2019 entries and exits: The University of Baghdad becomes Iraq’s first entrant in the table’s 15-year history, joining the global top 1000. The University of the West Indies becomes Jamaica’s first entrant – joining the table in the 501-600 banding, with a strong international outlook. Kazakhstan, Nepal and Tanzania also join the table for the first time this year, while Serbia re-enters following a one-year absence. Bangladesh is the only country to drop from the 2019 table, as the University of Dhaka did not submit data.

Global and national tables 2019

If any of the tables below are reproduced, you must credit: Times Higher Education (THE) and link to the full results and analysis at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking (link will go live when embargo lifts on WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 14:01 (LONDON, UK)
 2019 global top 200

 2019 regional table – MENA