Stockholm University remains a key player in global higher education, known for its research excellence and international outlook. In 2025, it holds the #128 position globally in the QS World University Rankings, showing a slight decline from 2024. Meanwhile, it ranks #191 in the THE World University Rankings, reflecting a consistent downward trend over recent years. Despite these shifts, the university excels in specific disciplines like environmental studies, social sciences, and law. It consistently ranks in the top 200 in the world, and is among the top universities in Sweden. Here’s a key breakdown of the 2025 rankings.

Also Check: Admissions at Stockholm University

Stockholm University: Global University Rankings

In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Stockholm University is ranked 128th. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, it is ranked 191st. Here’s key YoY breakdown of the rankings:

Ranking Body 2023 2024 2025 Trend
QS World University #153 #118 #128 ↓ 10 positions (2024–2025)
THE World University #176 #185 #191 ↓ 6 positions (2024–2025)
US News Global #127 #153 – ↓ 26 positions (2023–2024)
ARWU (Shanghai) #98 #101 – ↓ 3 positions (2023–2024)

Key Highlights

  • QS 2025 : Stockholm University is ranked #128 globally , showing a decline from its 2024 position of #118.
  • THE 2025 : The university dropped to #191 , continuing a downward trend over the past three years.
  • US News : Fell sharply from #127 in 2023 to #153 in 2024, with no updated data for 2025.
  • Shanghai Ranking (ARWU) : Ranked #101 in 2024, down from #98 in 2023.
  • National Standing : Maintains the #4 spot in Sweden according to QS 2025, following KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet, and Lund University.

Stockholm University: Subject-Specific Rankings (2025)

In the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Stockholm University (SU) excels in several areas, with its strongest subject being Social Policy and Administration, ranking 30th globally. SU also performs well in Environmental Sciences (39th) and Geography (46th) within the top 50. Additionally, SU is ranked number one in Sweden for seven subjects, including Sociology, Social Policy & Administration, and Linguistics, among others. Here's a more detailed look at Stockholm University's subject rankings:

QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)

Subject 2023 2024 2025 Global Standing
Environmental Studies – – #31 Top 50 globally
Social Policy & Administration – – #38 Top 50 globally
Linguistics – #41 – Consistent strength
Sociology #34 #38 #56 ↓ 18 positions
Biological Sciences #101 #75 #98 ↑ 23 positions (2023–2024), then ↓ 23 positions
Physics & Astronomy #101 #104 #125 ↓ 21 positions
Geography – – #48 Strong performer
Archaeology – – #51–100 Mid-tier globally
Earth & Marine Sciences – – #51–100 Mid-tier globally
Geology – – #51–100 Mid-tier globally
Anthropology – – #51–100 Mid-tier globally

Top QS 2025 Programs

  • Environmental Studies : #31
  • Social Policy & Administration : #38
  • Sociology : #56
  • Linguistics : #41 (2024 data)
  • Biological Sciences : #98
  • Geography : #48

THE World University Rankings by Subject (2025)

Subject 2023 2024 2025 Global Standing
Life Sciences #83 #98 #91 ↑ 7 positions
Law #101 #101 #93 ↑ 8 positions
Arts & Humanities #101 #94 #101 ↓ 7 positions
Social Sciences – – #86 Top 100 globally
Education Studies – – #126–150 Mid-tier globally
Computer Science – – #401–500 Low-tier globally
Physical Sciences – – #101–125 Mid-tier globally
Psychology – – #151–175 Mid-tier globally

Notable THE 2025 Programs

  • Social Sciences : #86
  • Law : #93
  • Life Sciences : #91
  • Arts & Humanities : #101
  • Computer Science : #401–500

ARWU (Shanghai) Subject Rankings (2024)

Subject 2022 2023 2024 Global Standing
Sociology #40 #37 #44 ↓ 7 positions
Physics #76 #51 #101 ↓ 50 positions
Political Science #48 #51 #51 Stable
Mathematics #301 #301 #301 Stable
Law #101 #101 #101 Stable

Physics saw a significant drop from #51 in 2023 to #101 in 2024 , indicating declining global competitiveness.

Stockholm University: Yearly Ranking Trends

Stockholm University's rankings in major university rankings have shown a mixed trend. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, Stockholm University's ranking has declined from #176 in 2023 to #185 in 2024 and #191 in 2025. In the QS World University Rankings, it has seen a decline from #118 in 2024 to #128 in 2025. However, in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) or Shanghai Ranking, Stockholm University was ranked 98 in 2023. Here's a more detailed look at the trends:

QS World University Rankings (2023–2025)

  • 2023 : #153
  • 2024 : #118 (↑35 )
  • 2025 : #128 (↓10 )

    Net Change : ↑25 positions over three years

THE World University Rankings (2023–2025)

  • 2023 : #176
  • 2024 : #185 (↓9 )
  • 2025 : #191 (↓6 )

    Net Change : ↓15 positions over three years

Stockholm University: Program-Specific Insights

1. Environmental Studies (QS #31)

  • Research Focus : Climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
  • Facilities : Collaborates closely with the Stockholm Resilience Centre and other leading environmental think tanks.

2. Sociology (QS #56)

  • Key Areas : Urban studies, migration, social inequality, and gender studies.
  • Reputation : Known for interdisciplinary research and policy influence.

3. Law (THE #93)

  • Specializations : International law, human rights, and environmental law.
  • Strength : Hosts several international legal scholars and offers globally relevant curriculum.

4. Life Sciences (THE #91)

  • Focus Areas : Ecology, genetics, marine biology, and biodiversity.
  • Research Output : High citations and global impact.

Stockholm University: Student & Research Profile (2025)

  • Total Students : ~28,689
  • International Students : 14%
  • Gender Ratio : 62% female, 38% male
  • Students per Staff : 17.4
  • Research Quality : 89.3/100 (THE 2025)
  • Industry Income : 65.1/100 (THE 2025)

Stockholm University remains a top-tier institution in the Nordic region, particularly strong in Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, and Law. While its overall global rankings have declined, its research quality and international outlook remain impressive. The university is a strong choice for students interested in social sciences, law, life sciences, or environmental studies. However, those pursuing STEM fields may find better global prospects at institutions like KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Overall, Stockholm University offers academic excellence and international engagement in its key areas of strength.