The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has risen among the 33,000+ universities and higher degree‑granting institutions in the world. This is according to an announcement from Times Higher Education (THE), the gold standard in global higher education rankings.

In the 2025 year-end release of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, only 2,191 universities from 115 countries qualified to be ranked.

The UWI says it continues to rise relatively as the number of universities also increases. It is selected and ranked annually based on criteria of academic excellence. It now stands in the top 3.6 per cent of these 33,000+ institutions.

Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, noted: “We continue to adhere steadfastly to our strategic plan, which has proven to be an expert guide that keeps us focused on building out our intellectual productivity, scholastic brand, and global partnership profile. The results merely indicate the output of our considerable collective input.”

The Vice-Chancellor stated that since the prior year, the results show that The UWI’s scholars have improved the quality of their research. This, he pointed out, has resulted in a significant rise in the recognition and impact of publications and other academic presentations.

He said also on the rise is its international outlook, as measured in scholarly impact, global partnerships, and membership in elite intellectual networks. Sir Beckles said shaping regional and global research environments through projects and publications has also attracted rising numbers in the rankings.

He stated that these considerable achievements serve to demonstrate the impact of the University’s expert leadership on the world stage, in academia and beyond. From climate change research to public health, arts and culture narratives to economic development studies and social justice paradigms, the University continues to make its mark by punching well beyond its fiscal and financial constraints.

“I am very proud of this inter‑generational achievement, as we look to The UWI’s centenary in 2048,” the Vice‑Chancellor noted.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018.