The University of Montpellier ranks highly in the 2024 QS World University Rankings

[Press Release] - Published on March 24, 2025 in Press Room

The University of Montpellier has reaffirmed its strong position in the QS World University Rankings. In the^15th edition of the rankings, it has maintained its standing in the overall rankings among the world’s and France’s top institutions. It is the French institution that has made the most significant progress this year in the field of “environmental sciences.”

The QS World University Rankings, established in 2004, is one of the world’s most prestigious rankings of higher education and research institutions. It places significant emphasis on reputation surveys, which account for 50% of the evaluation. This year, out of more than 1,700 of the most recognized universities in some 100 countries, 171 institutions are ranked across 55 subject-specific rankings, all grouped into five fields.

“The University of Montpellier is honored to be recognized among the world’s top universities in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. “Our standing, both in France and internationally, year after year, reflects our commitment and strong dedication to the core areas of education. This distinction is certainly not a matter of chance, but rather the result of our constant determination to improve,” said Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier.

A ranking that favors France, and particularly the UM 

A total of 80 French universities or institutions appear in these rankings (7 more than in 2024), placing France fourth in the world behind the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. At the European level, France ranks^third, again based on the total number of institutions included in the rankings.

The University of Montpellier is the French institution that has made the most significant progress this year, rising from^151st to^119th place in environmental sciences “thanks to significant gains in academic reputation and employer reputation,” the British firm also notes. UM appears 22 times in this year’s rankings, compared to 18 times in 2024, confirming its steady progress year after year.

The University of Montpellier also ranks highly in various international rankings

UM also features in the Shanghai Ranking, which covers several subject areas, ranking among the top 200 universities in the world, 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^30thglobally and^1st in France. Furthermore, UM has made significant progress on the SDG “life below water,” ranking^30thglobally and taking^first place nationally^{for the first time}, once again demonstrating 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 global ranking, the University of Montpellier once again confirms its scientific influence both nationally and internationally, ranking^4th nationally (the top university outside Paris) 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.