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Every year, The Times releases its guide to the best universities on the planet – but while getting into a top-rated uni is great and all, it’s worth researching which institutions have the best teaching and reputation for the field of study you’re interested in.
Enter Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings by Subject, a new version of which has just dropped for 2025.
Do you plan on studying arts and humanities, business and economics, or social studies? If so, the best place for those is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As you might have guessed by its name, this university has traditionally been associated with science, tech, and engineering, it’s gradually become a top arts studies destination, claiming the title from Stanford for 2025.
Stanford University isn’t going anywhere though, as the university is still top for those studying education, psychology and law.
Budding computer scientists and future medics? Your sights should be set on the University of Oxford, whereas students opting for engineering and life sciences studies should be looking to Harvard.
Lastly, for the physical sciences (that’s physics, chemistry, and the earth sciences), the best place to head is the California Institute of Technology. Find the full list of best universities by subject area below – and if you’re applying to any of these, may the odds be ever in your favour.
The top universities for each subject in 2025
- Arts and humanities – MIT
- Business and economics – MIT
- Computer science – University of Oxford
- Education studies – Stanford University
- Engineering – Harvard University
- Law – Stanford University
- Life sciences – Harvard University
- Medical and health – University of Oxford
- Physical sciences – California Institute of Technology
- Psychology – Stanford University
- Social studies – MIT
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