GUA News: Global University Leader Awards - 2025
shining a spotlight on universities' commitments to nurturing talent and excellence
August 20, 2025
by Diane Nolan
The Global Undergraduate Awards (GUA) proudly announces the recipients of its prestigious Global University Leader Awards, recognising universities that exemplify exceptional vision and proactivity in cultivating a culture of international academic excellence among its undergraduate students.
As we start to round the corner on judging and edge ever closer to meeting our Global Winners we take a moment to turn our attention to the many universities that support this process, through recommendation, support, advice, internal selection or with the support of Campus Amabassadors universities are partly responsible for opening a channel to students submitting to The Global Undergraduate Awards.
Now in their second year, the Global University Leader Awards continue to shine a spotlight on universities’ commitments to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, nurturing talent, promoting global research endeavours, and equipping students for success on a global platform. By acknowledging these efforts, the awards elevate the standard of global engagement and networking in higher education, ultimately strengthening the global academic economy and fostering a generation of students who are well-prepared to thrive in a multicultural and dynamic environment.
Recognition of Forward-Thinking Approaches
This recognition not only acknowledges the current efforts of recipient universities but also applauds their forward-thinking approaches to education and student development. By encouraging undergraduate engagement in initiatives like the Global Undergraduate Awards, these institutions demonstrate a dedication to fostering a vibrant academic community and preparing students to excel beyond the confines of their campuses.
Recognising our Regional and Global University Winners
Each of our seven regions will be Commended with an Overall Global Winning Institution.
The Global University Leader Awards highlight the profound impact that universities can have on the academic and professional trajectories of their undergraduate students.
Our 2025 Global Winner
The Global Winning Institution 2025: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
We are delighted to announce that Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) has been named the Global Winning Institution for 2025. This year’s global line-up of winners and runners-up is drawn from the outstanding universities recognised as GULA Regional Winners.
NTU makes history in 2025, rising from second place last year to claim the top spot, surpassing Toronto Metropolitan University.
We also extend congratulations to Brown University, which enters the global top five for the first time, helping secure the Americas region three of the five highest-ranking positions worldwide.
Our 2025 Regional Winners
For the 2nd year running the GULA Regional Winner – Island of Ireland – Trinity College, Dublin
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – University College Cork
- 3rd – Queen’s University Belfast
- 4th – Ulster University
- 5th – University of Galway
For the second consecutive year, Trinity College Dublin has secured the title of GULA Regional Winner – Island of Ireland, reaffirming its position as a leader in championing undergraduate global engagement.
This year’s results show a notable reshuffling among the runners-up. University College Cork has risen to second place, with Queen’s University Belfast moving to third. Meanwhile, Ulster University and the University of Galway continue to feature strongly in the top five, demonstrating the depth of commitment to student excellence across the island.
This slight shift from 2024 underscores the strength and competitiveness of Irish universities, all of which continue to make a significant impact on the global stage.
GULA Regional Winners – Africa & Middle East – American University of Sharjah
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – Strathmore University
- 3rd – Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- 4th – American University of Beirut
- 5th – Higher Colleges of Technology
The American University of Sharjah has once again claimed the title of GULA Regional Winner – Africa & Middle East, maintaining its leading position for the second year running.
The 2025 rankings, however, reveal some dynamic shifts among the runners-up. Strathmore University makes an impressive leap into second place, while the Hebrew University of Jerusalem moves down one position to third. The Higher Colleges of Technology also rises in the standings, securing fourth place this year. Notably, the University of the Witwatersrand, which featured in the top five in 2024, has been displaced in 2025, making way for the American University of Beirut, which enters the list in fourth place.
These movements highlight the growing competitiveness and diversity of universities across the region, with institutions continuing to push forward innovative approaches to global undergraduate engagement.
GULA Regional Winners – Asia – Nanyang Technological University
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – BRAC University
- 3rd – National University of Singapore
- 4th – University of Dhaka
- 5th – Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
For the second year in a row, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) retains its position as the GULA Regional Winner – Asia, reaffirming its status as a global leader in undergraduate excellence.
The 2025 rankings, however, show a significant reshuffle among the runners-up. BRAC University makes a remarkable climb into second place, moving up from fourth in 2024, while the National University of Singapore drops to third. The University of Dhaka enters the top five this year in fourth place, marking a notable achievement for the institution, while the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology continues its consistent presence at fifth.
Meanwhile, the University of Hong Kong, which held third position in 2024, has fallen out of the top five in 2025, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of the region.
These shifts underline the breadth and dynamism of Asia’s higher education landscape, where established institutions continue to perform strongly while newer contenders rise to prominence.
GULA Regional Winners – Europe –
University of Helsinki
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – Karolinska Institutet
- 3rd – Izmir University of Economics
- 4th – TU Wien
- 5th – University of Barcelona
This year sees a changing of the guard in Europe, with the University of Helsinki rising to claim the title of GULA Regional Winner – Europe after finishing as runner-up in 2024. Last year’s winner, the Karolinska Institutet, remains a formidable contender, taking second place in 2025.
The rest of the leaderboard also reflects a dynamic reshaping of the region’s standings. Izmir University of Economics makes its debut, after taking advantage of a free GUA seminar to staff at the start of the season they fully embraced the challenge and sailed comfortably into third place, with TU Wien joining the rankings at fourth.
Meanwhile, the University of Barcelona secures fifth position, further diversifying the geographic spread of institutions represented.
These results showcase the rich diversity and shifting strengths of Europe’s universities, where excellence is widely distributed and the competition for global recognition continues to intensify.
GULA Regional Winners – UK (excluding Northern Ireland) – University of Sheffield
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – University of Leeds
- 3rd – University of Dundee
- 4th – Manchester Metropolitan University
- 5th – University of Warwick
The University of Sheffield has successfully defended its title as GULA Regional Winner – UK for a second consecutive year, demonstrating consistency at the highest level for their aspiring Undergraduate Community.
The 2025 results also show a measure of continuity, with the University of Leeds holding firm in second place and the University of Dundee once again taking third. However, the lower half of the top five reflects notable changes. Manchester Metropolitan University makes a strong entry at fourth place, while the University of Warwick secures fifth, both replacing University College London and Newcastle University, who were ranked in 2024.
These results highlight both stability at the top and fresh momentum from new entrants, underscoring the strength and depth of UK higher education.
GULA Regional Winners – The Americas – Toronto Metropolitan University
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – Western University
- 3rd – Brown University
- 4th – Queen’s University at Kingston
- 5th – Columbia University
In the Americas region, the top five institutions have held their ground for a second consecutive year, demonstrating a remarkable degree of stability and consistency at the highest level. Toronto Metropolitan University once again secures the title of GULA Regional Winner – The Americas, with Western University in second and Brown University maintaining its strong global presence in third. Queen’s University at Kingston and Columbia University round out the top five.
The absence of movement in the rankings highlights the enduring strength of these institutions, each of which has firmly established itself as a leader in fostering undergraduate engagement and international opportunity. At the same time, this consistency signals just how competitive the region is—making any future shifts in the Americas rankings especially significant.
GULA Regional Winners – Oceania – Australian National University
Notable runners-up are:
- 2nd – Massey University
- 3rd – University of Queensland
- 4th – University of Adelaide
- 5th – Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka
The Australian National University (ANU) has once again secured its position as the GULA Regional Winner – Oceania, demonstrating consistent excellence at the very top of the region’s rankings. Massey University also holds steady in second place, reaffirming its role as a key regional leader.
The 2025 results, however, bring a fresh wave of change further down the table. The University of Queensland rises into third place, while the University of Adelaide claims fourth. Most notably, Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka makes its debut in the rankings at fifth place. This entry marks an exciting milestone for New Zealand, as the institution joins the Oceania top five for the first time, showcasing the growing influence in global undergraduate elite in the nation and healthy local competition amongst its universities.
The arrival of Victoria University of Wellington, coupled with the reshuffling of positions, highlights the dynamic and competitive nature of higher education in Oceania, with new voices making their mark on undergraduate excellence and recognising the need to elevate important ideas to nurture future leaders and researchers in their fields.
