The Pakistan Higher Education Challenge is highlighted in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, which recently unveiled a significant increase in the number of ranked universities globally, with over 2,000 institutions from 115 countries and territories participating. This year marks a remarkable 9.7% growth in the number of ranked universities—the highest increase in the past five years, surpassing the previous year’s growth rate of 6%.
In this context, Pakistan’s Higher Education Challenge remains evident, as the country boasts 47 ranked universities, securing its position as the 14th most-represented nation globally, alongside Taiwan. Leading the way is Quaid-i-Azam University, which retains its place in the 401-500 bands, maintaining its ranking from last year.
Notably, eight Pakistani universities have entered the 601-800 bands, an increase of one from last year. The University of Malakand has successfully ascended to this category, shifting from the 801-1,000 range, while Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan has experienced a decline. Additionally, Sukkur IBA University, a newly-ranked institution, has made its debut in the 601-800 bands.
| University | Rank 2025 | Rank 2024 |
| Quaid-i-Azam University | 401–500 | 401–500 |
| Air University | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Capital University of Science and Technology | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Government College University Faisalabad | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| National University of Sciences and Technology | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| Sukkur IBA University | 601–800 | NR |
| University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila | 601–800 | 601–800 |
| University of Malakand | 601–800 | 801–1000 |
However, the data reveals that only seven Pakistani universities improved their standings, whereas 10 experienced declines. This reflects the ongoing Pakistan Higher Education Challenge, as institutions strive to enhance their global presence.
Globally, the University of Oxford has maintained its supremacy for an unprecedented nine consecutive years, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in second place and Harvard University in third. In the Asian context, Pakistan’s 47 institutions rank the country as the 6th most-represented nation on the continent out of 853 universities across 35 countries.
| University | Country | Rank 2025 | Rank 2024 |
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 1 | 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | 2 | 3 |
| Harvard University | United States | 3 | 4 |
| Princeton University | United States | 4 | 6 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 5 | 5 |
| Stanford University | United States | 6 | 2 |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | 7 | 7 |
| University of California, Berkeley | United States | 8 | 9 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 9 | 8 |
| Yale University | United States | 10 | 10 |
The 2025 THE World University Rankings are lauded for their comprehensive and rigorous assessment, evaluating research-intensive universities based on 18 performance indicators categorized into five key pillars, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and internationalization. This year, a total of 2,860 institutions submitted data, reflecting a 6.9% increase from the previous year’s submissions, encompassing 133 countries and territories. Furthermore, an additional 768 institutions achieved “reporter” status, indicating they submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria for ranking.
With the Times Higher Education World University Rankings expanding from just 200 universities at inception to now including over 2,000, it stands as the most global and inclusive university ranking system worldwide, highlighting the ongoing Pakistan Higher Education Challenge.
