Romanian Universities in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025: A Look at Progress and Challenges
In the most recent Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, published in October 2025, Romania is represented by 22 institutions, of which only two are in the 801–1000 range: the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) and the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
According to EduPedu’s analysis, the University of Bucharest and UMF Craiova are ranked between 1001–1200, while Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, UMF Iuliu Hațieganu Cluj-Napoca, and USAMV Cluj-Napoca fall within 1201–1500. Other Romanian universities are ranked below 1500, and eight institutions that reported data were not included in the ranking.
Globally, the top 10 positions are exclusively occupied by universities from the USA and the UK, with Oxford, MIT, Princeton, Cambridge, and Harvard leading the list. In Europe, many traditional universities in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, and Sweden are experiencing a decline, while institutions in Denmark, Finland, and Norway are gaining ground. Romania remains modestly represented, alongside other Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland and Ukraine. This context highlights both the challenges and opportunities for Romanian universities: maintaining a presence in global rankings requires investments in research, internationalization, and coherent strategies to improve education quality and international visibility.
This limited presence in the global top ranks underscores the need for a coherent national strategy to enhance the quality of education and research. In this context, it is essential for Romanian universities to invest in research infrastructure, continuous faculty development, and strengthening international collaborations.
Despite these challenges, there are positive examples. The University of Bucharest ranked 93rd globally in the THE Impact Rankings 2025, becoming the first Romanian university and third in the world in promoting gender equality.
These achievements demonstrate the potential for Romanian universities to excel in specific areas, even within a competitive global context. To improve positions in international rankings, a sustained commitment to academic excellence, transparency in evaluation processes, and alignment with international standards is essential.
