Top 100 European Universities

In July 2009, the Webometrics Ranking of European Universities provided a detailed overview of the top universities in Europe based on these criteria.

Below are the top European universities as ranked in the 2009 Webometrics list:

University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) – Rank 1 in Europe, 22nd in the World

The University of Cambridge, ranked first in Europe in the Webometrics list of 2009, holds a prominent position as one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world. Founded in 1209, Cambridge has long been a leader in academic research and education. Its prominence in the Webometrics ranking reflects not only its academic excellence but also its extensive and influential web presence.

Cambridge’s top ranking is partly attributed to its comprehensive digital footprint, which includes a vast array of research publications, online resources, and publicly accessible documents. The university’s commitment to open access research, including its involvement in the Open Archives initiative, enhances its visibility and the reach of its work. Furthermore, Cambridge's collaborative approach to global research, involving numerous international partnerships, contributes to the wide dissemination of its academic output. Its leadership in fields such as the sciences, humanities, and social sciences is well-reflected in the high number of publications and the public availability of research materials.

University of Oxford (United Kingdom) – Rank 2 in Europe, 42nd in the World

Following closely behind Cambridge in the Webometrics ranking is the University of Oxford, which secured second place in Europe and 42nd globally in 2009. Oxford is another institution with a long history, founded in the 12th century, and it is renowned for its academic rigor, research output, and global influence. Like Cambridge, Oxford’s success in the Webometrics ranking can be attributed to its extensive online presence and its commitment to making its research outputs freely available.

Oxford has made significant strides in digitizing its resources, including its vast library collections, academic papers, and research findings. It has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research, and its collaborations with institutions around the world further enhance its academic presence. Oxford’s online platform, including its virtual learning environment and repositories, helps foster collaboration and intellectual exchange, reinforcing its high position in the Webometrics rankings.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich (Switzerland) – Rank 3 in Europe, 46th in the World

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, commonly known as ETH Zurich, ranks third in Europe in the Webometrics 2009 rankings and 46th globally. Founded in 1855, ETH Zurich is recognized as one of the leading universities in Europe, particularly in the fields of engineering, technology, and the natural sciences. The university’s strong performance in the Webometrics ranking reflects its cutting-edge research in a range of disciplines and its commitment to promoting the accessibility of its research.

ETH Zurich is known for its emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Its research output is made widely available online, and the institution has a well-developed web presence that includes not only academic publications but also multimedia content, open courses, and collaborations with industry partners. This accessibility ensures that its research reaches a global audience and contributes to ETH Zurich’s high position in the rankings.

University College London (United Kingdom) – Rank 4 in Europe, 51st in the World

University College London (UCL) ranks fourth in Europe in the Webometrics rankings and 51st globally in 2009. UCL is a leading multidisciplinary university, known for its strengths in research, particularly in the fields of medicine, social sciences, engineering, and humanities. The university’s commitment to making its research publicly accessible through open-access platforms and repositories plays a key role in its strong performance in the Webometrics rankings.

UCL has a robust online presence, with many of its research outputs, academic papers, and educational materials available to the public. Its dedication to digital scholarship is evident in its extensive web-based resources, which facilitate collaboration and ensure that the university's research impacts not only academia but also broader societal issues. Additionally, UCL’s collaborative approach to research, working with institutions across the globe, enhances its web visibility and solidifies its standing as one of the top institutions in Europe.

University of Helsinki (Finland) – Rank 5 in Europe, 52nd in the World

Ranked fifth in Europe and 52nd in the world according to the Webometrics ranking of 2009, the University of Helsinki is Finland’s highest-ranked institution. With a rich history that dates back to 1640, the University of Helsinki is a leader in research across various fields, including natural sciences, health sciences, and social sciences.

The university’s high position in the Webometrics rankings is due in part to its active online research dissemination strategy. Helsinki has made significant strides in sharing research findings through open-access journals, digital libraries, and other online platforms, which makes its research more accessible to the global academic community. Furthermore, its integration of information technology into research methodologies and its emphasis on digital education ensure that its research has a broad reach and impact.

Norwegian University of Science & Technology (Norway) – Rank 6 in Europe, 54th in the World

The Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU) ranks sixth in Europe and 54th globally in the Webometrics rankings of 2009. Established in 1996, NTNU is Norway’s largest university and one of the country's leading institutions for research and innovation. Known for its focus on technology, engineering, and natural sciences, NTNU has made significant strides in increasing its digital visibility and the accessibility of its research.

The university’s research output is diverse, ranging from engineering to medicine, and much of it is readily accessible online. NTNU has been proactive in making its research available through various digital channels, ensuring that scholars and the general public alike can benefit from its findings. The university's strong web presence helps connect it to the global academic community, further bolstering its standing in the Webometrics rankings.

University of Oslo (Norway) – Rank 7 in Europe, 55th in the World

The University of Oslo, ranked seventh in Europe and 55th globally, is one of Norway's oldest and most prestigious universities. Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo has long been a center of academic excellence, particularly in the fields of law, humanities, and social sciences. Its strong research output, much of which is published and available online, contributes to its high ranking in the Webometrics list.

Oslo’s commitment to open-access research and digital scholarship ensures that its academic work is accessible to a global audience. The university has increasingly incorporated digital tools and platforms into its research processes, which helps to ensure that its findings reach a wider audience and have a lasting impact. Oslo’s active participation in international research collaborations also enhances its visibility and strengthens its position in the global academic landscape.

Universität Wien (Austria) – Rank 8 in Europe, 68th in the World

Universität Wien (the University of Vienna) ranks eighth in Europe and 68th globally according to the Webometrics ranking of 2009. Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is one of the oldest universities in Europe and a leading institution for research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

The university has made significant progress in the digital dissemination of its research, and its online presence has grown over the years. The University of Vienna is committed to making its research outputs, such as journal articles, conference papers, and reports, freely available through various online platforms, enhancing its accessibility and global reach.

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain) – Rank 9 in Europe, 69th in the World

Ranked ninth in Europe and 69th globally, Universidad Complutense de Madrid is one of Spain's largest and most prestigious universities. Founded in 1293, Complutense has a long history of academic achievement and research excellence. It is particularly strong in the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences.

Complutense's web presence is robust, and its research output is widely available through digital repositories, increasing the accessibility of its work. The university has been an active participant in global research initiatives, which helps further enhance its online visibility and solidify its position in the Webometrics ranking.

Ranking of Top 100 Universities in Europe:
Europe Rank, World Rank, University
1 , 22 University of Cambridge
2 , 42 University of Oxford
3 , 46 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich
4 , 51 University College London
5 , 52 University of Helsinki
6 , 54 Norwegian University of Science & Technology
7 , 55 University of Oslo
8 , 68 Universität Wien
9 , 69 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
10 , 71 University of Edinburgh
11 , 72 Università di Bologna
12 , 74 University of Southampton
13 , 79 Utrecht University
14 , 80 Uppsala University
15 , 81 Université Catholique de Louvain
16 , 84 Freie Universität Berlin
17 , 88 Université de Geneve
18 , 92 Linkoping University
19 , 94 University of Groningen
20 , 97 Charles University
21 , 99 Universität Hamburg
22 , 103 Royal Institute of Technology
23 , 106 Technische Universität Wien
24 , 108 Lund University
25 , 111 University of Amsterdam
26 , 113 Rheinisch Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen
27 , 116 Masaryk University
28 , 122 Ludwig Maximilians Universität München
29 , 123 University of Warwick
30 , 128 University of Copenhagen
31 , 129 Université Paris 6 Pierre and Marie Curie
32 , 130 Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
33 , 131 University of Glasgow
34 , 132 Universität Leipzig
35 , 133 Università di Pisa
36 , 135 University of Bergen
37 , 139 University of Twente
38 , 141 École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
39 , 148 Technische Universität München
40 , 149 Universidade do Porto
41 , 150 Technische Universität Berlin
42 , 159 Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg
43 , 160 University of Manchester
44 , 161 Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
45 , 165 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
46 , 166 Universität Karlsruhe
47 , 167 University of Leeds
48 , 168 Universität Munster
49 , 169 University of Dublin Trinity College
50 , 171 Hebrew University of Jerusalem
51 , 174 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
52 , 178 Universität Freiburg
53 , 180 Technische Universität Dortmund
54 , 184 Goteborg University
55 , 186 Universidad del País Vasco
56 , 187 University of Birmingham
57 , 188 Lomonosov Moscow State University
58 , 191 Stockholm University
59 , 192 Universitat de Barcelona
60 , 195 Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nurnberg
61 , 198 Università degli Studi di Padova
62 , 200 Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza
63 , 201 University of Ljubljana
64 , 203 Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn
65 , 205 Eindhoven University of Technology
66 , 206 Technische Universität Chemnitz
67 , 210 Technische Universität Darmstadt
68 , 211 Universität Bremen
69 , 212 University of Nottingham
70 , 215 London School of Economics and Political Science
71 , 216 Delft University of Technology
72 , 218 Aarhus University
73 , 219 Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main
74 , 221 Technion Israel Institute of Technology
75 , 222 Open University UK
76 , 223 Universidad de Sevilla
77 , 225 Imperial College
78 , 226 Universität Regensburg
79 , 228 Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
80 , 232 University of Bristol
81 , 235 Budapest University of Technology and Economics
82 , 237 Free University of Amsterdam
83 , 238 Tel Aviv University
84 , 239 University of York
85 , 242 Universidad de Murcia
86 , 244 Jyväskylä University
87 , 246 Universität Tubingen
88 , 250 Università degli Studi di Torino
89 , 251 Technical University of Denmark
90 , 252 Universidad de Granada
91 , 253 Newcastle University
92 , 256 Technische Universität Dresden
93 , 258 Universitat d'Alacant
94 , 259 Leiden University
95 , 260 Universität zu Koln
96 , 261 Lancaster University
97 , 262 Universidade de Vigo
98 , 264 Universität Stuttgart
99 , 265 University of Sheffield
100 , 267 Universidade do Minho

Source: Webometrics Ranking of European Universities (July 2009)