The 2025 Business and Economics Subject Rankings have revealed that two universities in the UAE are among the best globally for business, engineering, and science courses. Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has been recognized as the top institution in the UAE for business and economics, while Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) excels in engineering, computer science, and physical sciences, according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject.

ADU’s business and economics program made a significant leap, rising 39 places to achieve a remarkable global ranking of 62. This impressive position places it among the top 100 universities worldwide and secures first place nationally. The university also ranked first in three key indicators within the business and economics category: ‘research quality,’ ‘research environment,’ and ‘teaching.’ In addition, ADU’s engineering subjects ranked fifth jointly and 301-400 globally, also earning first place nationally in the ‘teaching’ indicator.

As reported by Khaleej Times, Ghassan Aouad, the chancellor of ADU, remarked that this recognition underscores the university’s growing prominence and its essential role in shaping the future of education in the UAE and beyond. He added that ADU remains committed to driving innovation and fostering a dynamic learning environment that contributes to the UAE’s academic sector.

On the other hand, KU’s engineering program climbed to a ranking of 126-150 globally, while its computer science course made its debut in the 176-200 band. Furthermore, the physical sciences course also achieved a ranking of 176-200. Ebrahim Al Hajri, president of KU, stated that this significant achievement in rankings reflects their commitment to excel across all academic programs, aligning with the UAE’s vision to become a global pioneer in research and education.

The overall rankings were led by the University of Oxford, which has retained its top position for the ninth consecutive year, setting a new record for consecutive first-place rankings. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) achieved its highest placement ever, moving up to second place, while Harvard University rose to third. Stanford University, which was previously ranked second, fell to sixth place in the latest rankings.

In Asia, Tsinghua University continues to dominate, holding the 12th position globally, closely followed by Peking University at 13th. The 2025 rankings encompass 1,907 universities across 108 countries and regions, highlighting the expanding global landscape of higher education.