BelSU Secures Position in International ‘Three University Missions’ Ranking

This year, the number of Russian universities participating in the ranking increased from 152 to 156. According to the results of the ninth edition of the Moscow International University Ranking "Three University Missions" (MosIUR) for 2025, Belgorod State University (BelSU) has maintained its position within the 1201-1300 band globally and ranks between 47th and 58th among Russian universities. The latest MosIUR edition includes institutions from all federal districts. Belgorod National Research University leads the Central Federal District, which comprises 14 universities represented in the final ranking, excluding those in Moscow and the surrounding region.

"This is undoubtedly our collective achievement. Despite the unstable situation in the region and all the accompanying challenges, we continue to strengthen our research and innovation activities, expand partnerships, and do everything possible to ensure our students receive a high-quality education," Evgeniya Karlovskaya, Rector of Belgorod National Research University, commented on her Telegram channel. She expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedication and commitment to achieving their goals.

The overall composition of the top 20 has remained virtually unchanged over the past three years. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) retained its leadership for the second consecutive year, having displaced Harvard University from first place in 2024. Following Harvard are British institutions Oxford and Cambridge, with Stanford University (USA) in fifth place. Lomonosov Moscow State University continues to perform best among Russian universities, maintaining its 17th position in the top 2000. It is followed by St Petersburg State University, which improved its rank from 49th to 47th place, and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, which moved up from 54th to 59th.

Dmitry Grishankov, head of the Association of Ranking Authors, advisor to the president of the Russian Union of Rectors, and deputy chairperson of the public council under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, noted that the positions of BRICS universities have significantly improved in the 2025 ranking. “The gap between the Global North and BRICS countries is narrowing; many indicators are favouring developing countries. The number of BRICS universities represented in the ranking is increasing, partly due to new partners joining the association. In 2021, BRICS universities accounted for 24% of those ranked; by 2025, this figure has exceeded 32%,” Grishankov commented.

Experts observed that the main driving force for universities in the Global South is the “University and Society” indicator. The priorities of BRICS universities differ from those in the Anglo-Saxon world, which tend to focus on scientific problem solving and profit making. In contrast, BRICS institutions are more committed to serving society and addressing national development issues in alignment with their countries’ interests.