2025 Shanghai Ranking: UM Solidifies Its Position in the Top 200
The University of Montpellier has solidified its position among the world’s top 200 universities in the Shanghai Ranking, published on August 15, 2025, by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China). Already recognized for nine years as a global leader in ecology, these strong results demonstrate its ability to make an impact worldwide and meet international standards of excellence in research and education.
Eagerly anticipated each year, theShanghai Ranking(also known asthe Academic Ranking of World Universities) has served as a global ranking of higher education institutions since 2003. An essential reference in the academic world, it ranks the best universities in the world (among 1,800 institutions) according to a single index calculated based on six quantitative criteria, including the number of publications in prestigious scientific journals, the number of citations of researchers, the number of Nobel Prize winners in science and Fields Medalists, the renown of alumni and faculty, and more. The Shanghai Ranking thus lists the top 100 universities; beyond that, it ranks institutions in “bands” of 50 up to the 200th position, then in bands of 100 up to the 500th position, which concludes the list.
The University of Montpellier: a very positive overall trend since 2016!
The 2025 edition of the Shanghai Ranking once again highlights the University of Montpellier’s overall positive momentum, as it has been ranked among the world’s top 151–200 universities for the sixth consecutive year. Having risen steadily since 2016, when UM was ranked in the top 400, these strong results demonstrate that the University of Montpellier, thanks in particular to its I-SITE program of excellence, has become a major player in higher education, research, and innovation in France and internationally.
“Once again this year, I am delighted to see the University of Montpellier ranked among the world’s best universities. The excellent results achieved in the Shanghai Ranking, as well as in other international rankings, are a testament to the ambitious strategy of excellence we have been pursuing for several years. This recognition is above all the result of the talent and dedication of our researchers, faculty members, and Professors, Professors I would like to warmly commend, along with our technical and administrative staff. It is also supported by the exceptional resources mobilized through the I-SITE program, carried out in partnership with all our academic and scientific stakeholders. “These achievements underscore the strength of our research ecosystem and our ability to tackle major contemporary challenges: better feeding, caring for, and protecting people and the environment. Finally, they contribute to the international influence ofFrenchresearch,” stated Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
The University of Montpellier also ranks highly in various international rankings
UM also ranks in the Shanghai Ranking, which covers several subject areas, placing among the top 200 universities worldwide, as well as in the THE Impact Ranking, which measures higher education institutions’ commitment to and performance in sustainable development. In its 6th edition, UM maintains its top spot among French institutions and ranks in the overall list among the world’s 101–200 best institutions thanks to its longstanding commitment to sustainable development. This year, it ranks in the global top 50 for two goals aligned with the institution’s core themes: feeding, healing, and protecting. Indeed, UM stands out in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) “Good Health and Well-being,” ranking 30th globally and 1st in France. Furthermore, UM has made significant progress on the SDG “life below water,” ranking 30th globally and once again taking first place nationally, demonstrating once more UM’s excellence in the field of ecology.
Finally, the University of Montpellier maintains its standing in the CWTS Leiden Ranking. This ranking, which provides key insights into the scientific performance of more than 1,500 leading universities worldwide, is based on scientific publications and their citations. In the 2024 Leiden Ranking, the University of Montpellier once again confirms its scientific influence both nationally and internationally, ranking 4th nationally (the top provincial university) and 203rd globally.
According to the Reuters ranking of the most innovative universities, the University of Montpellier ranks second among French universities and 17th in Europe.
The Shanghai Ranking:hanghairanking.com