Shanghai Ranking 2025: UM consolidates its position in the top 200
The University of Montpellier has consolidated its place among the world's top 200 universities in the Shanghai ranking published on August 15, 2025, by Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China). Already recognized for nine years as one of the world leaders in ecology, these excellent results demonstrate its ability to shine on the world stage and meet international standards of excellence in research and education.
Eagerly awaited each year, theShanghai ranking(also known asthe Academic Ranking of World Universities) has been 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 on the basis of six quantitative criteria, including the number of publications in prestigious scientific journals, the number of citations by researchers, the number of Nobel Prize winners and Fields Medalists, the renown of alumni and professors, etc. The Shanghai ranking thus ranks the top 100 universities; beyond that, it ranks them in "tranches" of 50 up to the 200th position, then in tranches of 100 up to the 500th, which closes the list.
The University of Montpellier: a very positive overall trend since 2016!
The 2025 edition of the Shanghai ranking once again demonstrates the very positive overall momentum of UM, which has been confirmed for the sixth consecutive year in the 151-200 range of the world's best universities. Having risen steadily since 2016, when the 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 the reward for an ambitious strategy of excellence pursued over several years. This recognition is above all the result of the talent and commitment of our researchers, teachers, lecturers, and Professors, whom I would like to warmly congratulate, along with the technical and administrative teams. It is also based on the exceptional resources mobilized as part of the I-SITE program, carried out in partnership with all of our academic and scientific stakeholders. These achievements highlight the strength of our research ecosystem and our ability to meet the major challenges of our time: better feeding, caring for, and protecting populations and environments. Finally, they contribute to the international influence ofFrenchresearch," said Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
The University of Montpellier also stands out in various international rankings.
The UM also ranks in the Shanghai ranking, which covers several topics, placing it among the top 200 universities in the world, as well as in the THE Impact Ranking, which measures the commitment and performance of higher education institutions in terms of sustainable development. In its sixth edition, UM maintains its first place among French institutions and ranks among the top 101-200 institutions worldwide for its long-standing commitment to sustainable development. This year, it ranks in the top 50 worldwide for two objectives related to the institution's major themes: feeding, caring for, and protecting. Indeed, UM stands out in the sustainable development goal (SDG) "good health and well-being," ranking 30th worldwide and 1st in France. In addition, UM has made significant progress on the SDG "life below water," ranking 30th worldwide and once again 1st nationally, demonstrating once again UM's excellence in ecology.
Finally, the University of Montpellier maintains its status in the CWTS Leiden Ranking. This ranking, which provides important information on the scientific performance of more than 1,500 leading universities worldwide, is based on scientific publications and their citations. In the 2024 Leiden world ranking, the University of Montpellier once again confirms its scientific influence both nationally and internationally, ranking 4th nationally (first university outside Paris) and 203rd worldwide.
According to Reuters' ranking of the most innovative universities, the University of Montpellier is the second most innovative university in France and ranks 17th in Europe.
The Shanghai Ranking:hanghairanking.com