THES- World University Ranking - Harvard ranked No. 1

The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) World University Ranking of 2007 is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global rankings for higher education institutions. It provides an insightful snapshot of the world’s top universities, offering prospective students, researchers, and academics valuable information about which institutions lead the global academic landscape. The ranking evaluates universities on various criteria, such as teaching quality, research output, international outlook, and the employability of graduates, offering a holistic view of each institution’s overall impact and reputation. The 2007 ranking features some of the most renowned universities in the world, with the top five positions dominated by prestigious institutions from the United States and the United Kingdom.

At the very top of the THES World University Ranking 2007 is Harvard University in the United States. Harvard’s reputation as a global leader in higher education is well-established, and its consistent ranking as number one in numerous international surveys, including the THES, is a testament to its unparalleled influence and academic prestige. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and has since grown into one of the most respected universities in the world. Harvard excels in virtually every field of study, from the humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, engineering, and business. Its world-class faculty, which includes a high concentration of Nobel laureates and other distinguished scholars, consistently contributes to groundbreaking research and intellectual innovation. Harvard’s vast resources, including one of the largest academic libraries in the world, its diverse student body, and its strong global alumni network, all work together to foster an environment where academic excellence thrives.

The second position in the THES ranking is shared by three exceptional institutions: the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and Yale University. These universities, although distinct in their own right, share a rich history of academic excellence, intellectual rigor, and global influence, making their placement in the ranking no surprise.

The University of Cambridge, located in the United Kingdom, is one of the most renowned academic institutions in the world. With a history dating back to 1209, Cambridge has long been synonymous with excellence in teaching and research. It boasts an extensive array of disciplines across the sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. The university’s collegiate system, wherein students are members of individual colleges within the university, fosters a sense of community while also ensuring access to world-class resources and support networks. Cambridge has produced numerous Nobel Prize winners, groundbreaking scientists, authors, and political figures throughout its history, further cementing its reputation as a leader in education. Its rigorous academic programs, combined with a culture of inquiry and intellectual exploration, make Cambridge a top destination for students and scholars from around the world.

Oxford University, another iconic institution in the United Kingdom, also shares the second spot in the 2007 THES ranking. Like Cambridge, Oxford has an illustrious history that spans over 900 years, and it is widely regarded as one of the finest educational institutions globally. Oxford is known for its tutorial system, which provides students with one-on-one teaching and mentorship from faculty members, allowing for deep academic engagement and intellectual growth. Its rigorous academic standards and competitive entry process attract the brightest minds from around the world, and its diverse academic programs are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Oxford is home to world-leading research centers, particularly in the fields of medicine, law, humanities, and social sciences. Its alumni network includes many heads of state, Nobel laureates, and influential figures in various industries, further reinforcing Oxford's position as a global leader in higher education.

Yale University, also tied for second place in the 2007 THES rankings, is a world-renowned Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale was founded in 1701, and over the centuries, it has built a reputation for academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and a commitment to producing graduates who make a significant impact in their fields. Yale excels in a wide range of disciplines, with particular strengths in law, political science, history, and the humanities. The university’s unique focus on interdisciplinary research, its strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, and its close-knit academic community set it apart from many other institutions. Yale’s graduate programs, particularly in the social sciences and humanities, are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Its influential alumni, including U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court justices, and leaders in business and academia, highlight the university’s far-reaching impact.

Rounding out the top five in the THES World University Ranking 2007 is Imperial College London, a public research university located in the heart of London. Imperial has built its reputation primarily in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, and business, and it is regarded as one of the leading institutions for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education globally. Imperial College is known for its cutting-edge research, strong ties to industry, and its entrepreneurial approach to education. With a focus on innovation and real-world application, Imperial has been instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge and technology. It is home to some of the most prestigious research institutes in the world, particularly in areas such as cancer research, sustainable energy, and nanotechnology. Imperial’s diverse, international student body and its strong focus on global impact make it one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.Top 100 universities in the world (2007):

Rank School Name Country
1 HARVARD US
2= U of CAMBRIDGE UK
2= YALE Univ US
2= U of OXFORD UK
5 Imperial College LONDON UK
6 PRINCETON U US
7= CALIFORNIA Institute of Technology (Caltech) US
7= U of CHICAGO US
9 UCL (Univ College LONDON) UK
10 MASSACHUSETTS Institute of Technology (MIT) US
11 COLUMBIA U US
12 MCGILL U Canada
13 DUKE University US
14 U of PENNSYLVANIA US
15 JOHNS HOPKINS U US
16 AUSTRALIAN National U Australia
17 U of TOKYO Japan
18 U of HONG KONG Hong Kong
19 STANFORD Uni US
20= CORNELL Uni US
20= CARNEGIE MELLON Uni US
22 U of California, BERKELEY US
23 U of EDINBURGH UK
24 King's College LONDON UK
25 KYOTO Uni Japan
26 École Normale Supérieure, PARIS France
27 U of MELBOURNE Australia
28 ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE France
29 NORTHWESTERN Uni US
30 U of MANCHESTER UK
31 The U of SYDNEY Australia
32 BROWN UUnited States
33= U of QUEENSLAND Australia
33= U of BRITISH COLUMBIA Canada
33= National U of SINGAPORE Singapore
36 PEKING Univ China
37 U of BRISTOL UK
38= The CHINESE Univ of Hong Kong Hong Kong
38= U of MICHIGAN US
40 TSINGHUA Univ China
41 U of CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles (U... US
42 ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of T... Switzerland
43 MONASH U Australia
44 U of NEW SOUTH WALES Australia
45 U of TORONTO Canada
46 OSAKA Uni Japan
47 BOSTON Uni US
48 U of AMSTERDAM Netherlands
49 NEW YORK Uni (NYU) US
50 The Uni of AUCKLAND New Zealand
51= SEOUL National Uni Korea, South
51= U of TEXAS at Austin US
53= TRINITY College Dublin Ireland
53= HONG KONG U of Science & Techno... Hong Kong
55= U of WASHINGTON US
55= U of WISCONSIN-Madison UnS
57 U of WARWICK United Kingdom
58 U  of CALIFORNIA, San Diego US
59 LONDON School of Economics and Political Science UK
60 HEIDELBERG Univ Germany
61 Katholieke Universiteit LEUVEN Belgium
62 U of ADELAIDE Australia
63 DELFT U of Technology Netherlands
64 U of WESTERN AUSTRALIA Australia
65= U of BIRMINGHAM UK
65= Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (... Germany
67 Technische Universität MÜNCHEN Germany
68 U of SHEFFIELD UK
69 NANYANG Technological U Singapore
70 U of NOTTINGHAM United Kingdom
71= UPPSALA Uni Sweden
71= DARTMOUTH College US
73 U of ILLINOIS US
74= EMORY U US
74= U of YORK United Kingdom
76 U of ST ANDREWS United Kingdom
77= U of PITTSBURGH US
77= PURDUE U US
79 U of MARYLAND US
80= U of SOUTHAMPTON United Kingdom
80= U of LEEDS United Kingdom
82 VANDERBILT U US
83 U of GLASGOW United Kingdom
84 LEIDEN U Netherlands
85= U of VIENNA Austria
85= FUDAN U China
85= CASE WESTERN RESERVE U US
88 QUEEN'S U Canada
89 UTRECHT U Netherlands
90= PENNSYLVANIA STATE Univ United States
90= TOKYO Institute of Technology Japan
92 RICE U United States
93= U of MONTREAL Canada
93= U of COPENHAGEN Denmark
95 U of ROCHESTER United States
96 U of CALIFORNIA, Davis United States
97= U of ALBERTA Canada
97= GEORGIA Institute of Technology United States
99 CARDIFF U United Kingdom
100 U of HELSINKI Finland

Source: THES – QS World University Rankings