Highest Rated Medical Schools in the World 2025: Global Leaders in Medical Education

Below is a comprehensive list of the World’s Best Medical Schools 2025 as identified by the Times Higher Education (THE) Clinical & Health subject rankings. Listed from #20 to #1, each entry combines essential background details—such as founding year and geographical location—with reasons for its remarkable standing in medicine, plus a few of its notable alumni.

20. University of Melbourne (Australia)

Founded in 1853 in Melbourne, Victoria, the University of Melbourne is home to Australia’s oldest medical school (est. 1862), placed firmly in the historic Parkville biomedical precinct. This prestigious location hosts several top research institutes, enhancing Melbourne’s global reputation in immunology, infectious diseases, and neurosciences. Close integration with institutes like the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute not only produces breakthroughs in vaccines and stem cell therapies but also supports a rigorous medical curriculum. The University of Melbourne’s blend of tradition, innovation, and a large biomedical research ecosystem ensures it remains among the top 20 on the world stage.

• Professor Graeme Clark – Inventor of the cochlear implant (“bionic ear”), Laureate Professor Emeritus at Melbourne.
• Dr. Catherine Hamlin – Co-founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, lauded for her global health impact.

19. University of Washington (USA)

Established in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington’s School of Medicine (launched in 1946) delivers high-caliber primary care education and pioneering medical research. UW’s leadership in the WWAMI program (spanning five states) demonstrates a commitment to rural healthcare, while its robust NIH funding drives cutting-edge studies in genomics, vaccine research, and HIV/AIDS. Housing the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, UW shapes public health policies worldwide, making it a consistent top-20 presence in global medical training and research.

• Honorary mentions of multiple global health leaders who completed residencies at UW, reinforcing the institution’s influence on health policy.
• Dr. Julie Gerberding (residency) – Former CDC Director, now an executive at Merck & Co.

18. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (USA)

Since its founding in 1817 (moved to Ann Arbor in 1837), the University of Michigan has championed medical science through its Medical School (est. 1850). Its history includes conducting pivotal Salk polio vaccine trials and building an integrated teaching hospital system. Consistently among the top NIH recipients, Michigan’s research excellence spans cardiology, pharmacology, transplantation, and health policy. Combined with a strong public mission, the result is a dynamic environment that not only benefits the Midwest but also propels Michigan into a top-20 global medical standing.

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta – CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, neurosurgeon.
• Dr. Francis Collins – Former NIH Director and lead on the Human Genome Project (served as faculty at Michigan).

17. National University of Singapore – NUS (Singapore)

Rooted in a 1905 medical college foundation, the National University of Singapore consolidated into its modern form in 1980, with the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine as the oldest in Singapore. This institution excels in Asia and globally due to strong research in infectious diseases (critical in dengue and COVID-19 control), genomics, and biomedical engineering. NUS benefits from the city-state’s strategic push in biotech innovation, hosting top labs and forging international collaborations that keep it at the forefront of Asian and world medical rankings.

• Professor Tan Chorh Chuan – Chief Health Scientist of Singapore and former NUS President.
• Dr. Margaret Chan – Former WHO Director-General, trained at NUS’s predecessor medical college.

16. Columbia University (USA)

Founded in 1754 in New York City (originally King’s College), Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (1767) is one of the oldest U.S. medical schools. Columbia’s tradition includes breakthroughs in cardiac pacemakers and early cancer detection tests, with extensive NIH funding supporting robust research programs. Its major teaching hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian, consistently ranks among the nation’s best, and numerous Nobel laureates among the faculty reflect Columbia’s status as a global innovation hub in medicine.

• Dr. Anthony Fauci – Immunologist, long-serving NIAID Director, key figure in U.S. public health.

15. Tsinghua University (China)

Established in 1911 in Beijing, Tsinghua only introduced a formal medical school in 2001, later integrating with Peking Union Medical College in 2006. Despite its youth in medical education, Tsinghua soared in rankings through synergy with its formidable strengths in engineering, AI, and biotech. Its labs, backed by generous state and private funding, produce high-impact research in molecular biology, bioengineering, and pharmacology, showcasing China’s rise in the global health sciences and securing Tsinghua a top-15 spot.

• Dr. Chen Zhu – Former Chinese Minister of Health, President of the Red Cross Society of China.
• Dr. George Fu Gao – Virologist and past Director of the Chinese CDC, widely recognized for infectious disease expertise.

14. University of California, Los Angeles (USA)

UCLA, founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, established its David Geffen School of Medicine in 1951. UCLA’s health system regularly tops U.S. hospital rankings, while its researchers drive innovation in molecular biology, neurosurgery, and precision medicine. With robust NIH grants, UCLA also underscores diversity and public service, ensuring a significant pipeline of skilled physicians. This synergy of strong research credentials, top-tier clinical care, and a broad patient demographic secures UCLA’s top-20 global position.

• Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong – Biotech entrepreneur, inventor of Abraxane, partial owner of the Los Angeles Times.
• Dr. Vivek Murthy – U.S. Surgeon General, completed residency at UCLA.

13. Karolinska Institute (Sweden)

Founded in 1810 in Stockholm to train army surgeons, Karolinska Institutet (KI) specializes exclusively in medicine and health. KI wields global influence, being responsible for selecting Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Landmark achievements include progress on the pacemaker, immunotherapy, and public health strategies. The single-discipline focus, coupled with high-impact collaborations, consistently places Karolinska among the most respected research powerhouses in Europe and across the world.

• Dr. Svante Pääbo – Nobel Laureate (2022), Director at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
• Dr. Anders Tegnell – Former State Epidemiologist guiding Sweden’s pandemic responses.

12. King’s College London (UK)

Founded in 1829 in London, King’s College London merged multiple historic medical schools (Guy’s Hospital Medical School, St Thomas’, etc.) into the GKT School of Medical Education. It consistently ranks high in clinical and biomedical research, with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience holding global prestige. Through partnerships like King’s Health Partners, King’s marries top research to NHS clinical practice. Renowned alumni and Nobel laureates (including Maurice Wilkins) highlight the institution’s centuries-long impact on medicine.

• Dr. K. Srikanth Reddy – Director-General of Health Services, Government of India.
• Baroness Margaret Thatcher (Honorary association) – Former UK Prime Minister; originally worked as a research chemist at King’s.

11. University of California, Berkeley (USA)

Established in 1868 in Berkeley, California, UC Berkeley lacks a standalone MD program but excels in health sciences research through its School of Public Health and robust biology, bioengineering, and chemistry departments. Berkeley co-developed CRISPR-Cas9 technology, revolutionizing biomedicine. Collaborations with UCSF further enhance translational research. This broad life-science influence, bridging AI, genetics, and epidemiology, keeps Berkeley in the top-15 globally for clinical and health, on par with institutions hosting dedicated medical schools.

• Dr. Jennifer Doudna – Nobel Laureate (2020) for CRISPR, professor at Berkeley.
• Dr. Julie Gerberding – Former CDC Director, now an executive at Merck (MPH from Berkeley).

10. University of Pennsylvania (USA)

Benjamin Franklin founded Penn in 1740 in Philadelphia; the Perelman School of Medicine (1765) is America’s oldest. Penn’s hospital was the first teaching hospital in the U.S., setting a precedent for integrating care and research. Major breakthroughs, such as CAR-T cell therapy for cancer and mRNA vaccine technology, underscore Penn’s robust NIH-funded environment. That combination of tradition, continuous innovation, and a thriving health system cements Penn among the best international medical schools.

• Dr. Mehmet Oz – Cardiothoracic surgeon and media personality.
• Dr. Zeke Emanuel – Oncologist, bioethicist, and former White House health policy advisor.

9. University of Toronto (Canada)

Founded in 1827 in Toronto, Ontario, U of T’s Faculty of Medicine started in 1843. Legendary for co-discovering insulin and breakthroughs in stem cell research, Toronto’s affiliated hospitals (Toronto General, Hospital for Sick Children) remain top-ranked internationally. The university’s broad research output covers AI in surgery, neuroscience, and transplantation. Its status as Canada’s leading medical institution places it 9th in the world, reflecting a heritage of discovery plus ongoing innovation in clinical education and basic science.

• Dr. Frederick Banting – Co-discoverer of insulin (Nobel Prize 1923).
• Dr. Danielle Martin – Family physician and health policy expert, soon-to-be Dean of Medicine at UBC.

8. University College London – UCL (UK)

Opened in 1826 in London, UCL Medical School (1834) has evolved into a premier biomedical research hub. Home to Europe’s largest concentration of medical institutes, UCL drives progress in oncology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases. Partnerships, like the Francis Crick Institute, elevate UCL’s profile, while achievements such as pioneering anesthesia highlight its storied past. High citation metrics and a steady rise in innovative collaborations place UCL among the leading medical schools in the world.

• Dr. David Livingstone – Famed physician and explorer (historic example of UCL’s medical heritage).
• Baroness Dido Harding – Former CEO of TalkTalk, ex-head of NHS Improvement in the UK.

7. Yale University (USA)

Founded in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale launched its School of Medicine in 1810, adopting a “Yale System” that emphasizes academic freedom (fewer exams, no grades in the first two years). This approach, combined with robust global collaborations, secures Yale’s top-10 rating. Research breakthroughs in neuroscience, Lyme disease treatment, and immunotherapy underscore why it consistently ranks high in citations. Yale New Haven Health, affiliated with the school, is a significant clinical and research powerhouse, producing future leaders in medicine and policy.

• Dr. Vivek Murthy – 21st U.S. Surgeon General.
• Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn – Nobel Laureate (telomere research), former President of the Salk Institute.

6. Stanford University (USA)

Created in 1885 in California’s Silicon Valley, Stanford’s School of Medicine (1908) is famed for merging biomedical science with entrepreneurial tech culture. Its track record includes pioneering organ transplantation methods, high-profile biotech startups, and game-changing gene-editing research. The school’s interdisciplinary model harnesses engineering, computer science, and medicine, giving Stanford a unique edge that keeps it in the global top 10. A suite of Nobel Prize-winning researchers and close ties to industry exemplify Stanford’s continuing leadership in translating lab findings into real-world medical applications.

• Dr. Mae Jemison – Physician, first Black woman astronaut in space.
• Larry Page – Co-founder of Google, showcasing the university’s entrepreneurial environment.

5. Johns Hopkins University (USA)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876 in Baltimore, launched its School of Medicine in 1893. It revolutionized medical education by integrating research, teaching, and clinical care—a model many institutions later adopted. Hopkins leads in NIH funding, driving major discoveries in immunology, neurosurgery, and genetics. Johns Hopkins Hospital is a perennial U.S. top hospital. Partnerships in the Bloomberg School of Public Health expand Hopkins’ global reach, placing it 5th in the best global medical schools for 2025.

• Michael R. Bloomberg – Philanthropist, ex-mayor of NYC, major donor to Hopkins public health.
• Dr. Peter Agre – Nobel Prize winner (aquaporins discovery), longtime Johns Hopkins professor.

4. Imperial College London (UK)

Imperial College, established in 1907 in London, merged historic medical schools to form its Faculty of Medicine in 1997. Known for pioneering discoveries—like Sir Alexander Fleming’s penicillin at St. Mary’s—Imperial remains a STEM-driven powerhouse focusing on infectious disease, oncology, and public health. A high volume of influential research and international collaborations help sustain its top-5 medical reputation. Facilities across major London hospitals ensure robust clinical exposure for students, complementing the university’s core emphasis on scientific excellence.

• Dr. Brian May – Astrophysicist and Queen guitarist (PhD from Imperial, bridging science and the arts).
• Dame Sally Davies – Former Chief Medical Officer for England, now Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.

3. University of Cambridge (UK)

Launched in 1209 in Cambridge, the university’s clinical training has existed since the 16th century. Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine thrives at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, home to Addenbrooke’s Hospital and cutting-edge institutes. After DNA’s double helix was discovered in Cambridge, the tradition of mixing world-class basic science with high-caliber clinical work continues. The synergy of labs, affiliated hospitals, and translational programs secures Cambridge’s third-place position among global medical school rankings.

• Dame Jane Goodall – Pioneering primatologist, earned her PhD in ethology at Cambridge.

2. Harvard University (USA)

Founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard’s Medical School opened in 1782 (based in Boston), building a long-standing legacy in pioneering treatments, from gene therapy to advanced surgery. Top-tier affiliated hospitals (Massachusetts General, Brigham & Women’s) complement a massive research budget that produces leading-edge breakthroughs. A continuum of Nobel laureates, plus significant philanthropic support, make Harvard a bastion of medical excellence, consistently vying for the top spots in prestigious medical schools worldwide.

• Dr. Atul Gawande – Celebrated surgeon, writer, and global health leader at USAID.
• Dr. Jim Yong Kim – Ex-President of the World Bank, partner at Global Infrastructure Partners.

1. University of Oxford (UK)

Tracing its roots to 1096, the University of Oxford in England is the oldest English-speaking university, and its Medical Sciences Division stands #1 in the 2025 Times Higher Education clinical & health rankings. Oxford’s legacy spans centuries of medical thought leadership, culminating in recent breakthroughs like the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Close ties to the Jenner Institute and Oxford University Hospitals maintain Oxford’s reputation for impactful research and top-flight medical education. Home to numerous Nobel laureates, Oxford merges deep tradition with frontier science, positioning it as the highest-rated medical school in the world.

• Severin Schwan – Chairman of Roche Holding AG, formerly CEO of Roche Group.
• Baroness Valerie Amos – Master of University College, Oxford, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

Closing Perspective on Global Medical School Excellence

These top 20 medical schools represent the pinnacle of international medical education, each embodying a rich history of healthcare innovation, pioneering research, and stellar clinical training. Spanning the UK, the U.S., Canada, Australia, Asia, and beyond, they demonstrate how diverse regions continue to shape the future of medicine—producing discoveries that save lives, educating future physician-leaders, and furthering humanity’s pursuit of better healthcare. Whether you’re exploring leading UK medical schools, best American medical schools, or emerging powerhouses in Asia, these institutions stand as a testament to the global dedication driving modern medical science.