Executive Summary
Approximately one in three CEE and SEE universities appearing in the same subject ranking five years ago and today have risen substantially, strengthening their position as international challengers.
This is notable because the upper tiers remain highly stable and dominated by the Anglosphere, an advancing East Asia, and the strongest Western and Northern European systems—broadly reflecting the global distribution of economic resources and academic influence.
We analysed six years of ranking data to identify “leapfrogger universities” that progressed despite competing with significantly better-funded peers. Based on interviews and analysis of their research performance, visibility and strategic development, four lessons emerge:
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1. Structural disadvantages make strategic focus essential.
Broad-based efforts are unlikely to overcome differences in resources and reputation. Universities need to concentrate investment where they have the strongest potential to advance.
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2. Meaningful improvements are possible within a single ranking cycle.
Stronger institutional housekeeping, reliable data and clear responsibilities, ensures that performance is accurately captured. Focused visibility management makes existing strengths more recognisable internationally.
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3. Substantial progress requires sustained institutional development.
Over a three- to four-year horizon, capability development can strengthen research performance and educational quality, while ecosystem positioning through alliances and partnerships expands access to talent, knowledge, resources and reputation.
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4. Each leapfrogger follows an institution-specific path.
Successful examples provide direction but cannot be replicated mechanically. Each university must identify its distinctive strategic assets and build a focused approach around them.
Key Numbers
CEE and SEE universities in the QS subject top 200
26 → 42
Between 2020–2026, +62%
Rest of Europe universities in the QS subject top 200
392 → 446
2020–2026 · +14%
Regional universities that leapfrogged
22 of 65
Approximately one in three
- Leapfrogger
- A university that reached a meaningful ranking position after substantial improvement since 2020.
Source: Solutions Lab analysis of QS and THE rankings, 2020–2026.