Libya has achieved a notable milestone in the 2025 QS Arab Region University Rankings, with six universities making it onto the prestigious list. The recognition marks a significant step forward for the country’s higher education sector, which has been striving to recover and develop amid ongoing national challenges.
The University of Tripoli and the University of Benghazi ranked as the top-performing Libyan institutions in this year’s index, followed by Al-Mergib University, which made its debut in the rankings for the first time, highlighting its growing academic presence in the region. Misurata University, Sebha University, and the University of Sirte were also included.
The QS Arab Region Rankings evaluate universities based on a set of key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, international research network, citations per paper, and web impact, among others. The rankings are part of Quacquarelli Symonds’ global efforts to measure and benchmark the performance of universities in various regions.
The inclusion of multiple Libyan institutions reflects a gradual improvement in academic performance, research output, and institutional visibility. It also signals a growing commitment among Libyan universities to align with international quality standards, expand research networks, and attract partnerships within and beyond the region.
While the Libyan higher education system continues to face infrastructure, funding, and governance challenges, this year’s results offer a measure of progress and an incentive for continued reform and investment in education.
Education officials in Libya welcomed the announcement as a “positive indicator” of the country’s potential in regional academia and pledged to further support university development, digital transformation, and academic collaboration.
