Have you completed your bachelor’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from one of the top universities in the world? You must check out the HPI Visa University list of 2025. If your university is listed, then you might be eligible for the HPI Visa. The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is meant for students who have graduated from these universities. The visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2-3 years without a job offer. During this time, you can look for work or even become self-employed. It also paves the way for permanent residence in the country.
Want to know which universities come under this list? This blog covers the HPI visa university list for 2025. Keep reading to learn more about these top universities.
This Blog Includes:
- HPI Visa University List 2025
- Top 5 Universities Consistently Ranked Under the HPI Visa University List
- Other Notable Universities Consistently Ranked Under the HPI Visa University List
- Countries on the High-Potential Individual Visa University List
- UK HPI Visa Requirements Every Applicant Must Know About
- FAQs
HPI Visa University List 2025
Each year, the university list for this visa is revised. The eligible universities are listed based on the university rankings from around the world. We have provided the latest list of top universities below. The list is for students who graduated between November 2024 and October 31, 2025. Many of these universities can be ranked next year if they maintain their rankings. Let’s get to know the top universities for 2025.
| No. | Country | University | QS 2025 Ranking |
| 1 | USA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
| 2 | USA | Harvard University | 4 |
| 3 | Switzerland | ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | 7 |
| 4 | USA | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 10 |
| 5 | Singapore | National University of Singapore (NUS) | 8 |
| 6 | USA | University of Chicago | 13 |
| 7 | China | Peking University | 14 |
| 8 | USA | University of Pennsylvania | 15 |
| 9 | USA | Cornell University | 16 |
| 10 | China | Tsinghua University | =17 |
| 11 | USA | University of California, Berkeley | =17 |
| 12 | Australia | University of Melbourne | 19 |
| 13 | France | Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) | 24 |
| 14 | Germany | Technical University of Munich (TUM) | =22 |
| 15 | Switzerland | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | 26 |
| 16 | Hong Kong | University of Hong Kong (HKU) | 11 |
| 17 | Singapore | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | 12 |
| 18 | China | Fudan University | 39 |
| 19 | China | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 45 |
| 20 | China | Zhejiang University | 47 |
| 21 | USA | Stanford University | 3 |
| 22 | USA | Princeton University | 17 |
| 23 | USA | Yale University | 19 |
| 24 | USA | Columbia University | 23 |
| 25 | USA | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 29 |
| 26 | USA | University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | 33 |
| 27 | USA | University of Washington | 58 |
| 28 | USA | Duke University | 57 |
| 29 | USA | New York University (NYU) | 35 |
| 30 | USA | Northwestern University | 47 |
| 31 | USA | Johns Hopkins University | 28 |
| 32 | Canada | University of Toronto | 25 |
| 33 | Canada | McGill University | 29 |
| 34 | Canada | University of British Columbia (UBC) | 38 |
| 35 | Germany | Heidelberg University | 87 |
| 36 | Germany | University of Munich (LMU Munich) | 59 |
| 37 | Sweden | Karolinska Institute | 49 |
| 38 | Japan | University of Tokyo | 32 |
| 39 | Japan | Kyoto University | 55 |
| 40 | Hong Kong | The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) | 36 |
| Latest Update: UK universities are not considered for the HPI Visa application. This means even if you complete your degree from one of the top universities in the UK, such as Oxford, you will not be eligible for this visa. |
Top 5 Universities Consistently Ranked Under the HPI Visa University List
Learning about the top universities consistently ranked in this list is beneficial. This will help you choose which university is a safe bet if you aim to apply for this visa. After all, the next year’s list has not yet been released. If you plan to apply sometime in the future, it is best to know the top universities consistently ranked. We have provided you with the list of these universities.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA

MIT is no doubt the best university in the world. This university has been consistently ranked as the number 1 university by QS World Rankings. The institution is considered a global hub for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. Some of the popular courses to study here include Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. The acceptance rate for undergraduate programs is about 4.5%. Those who have completed their studies here have obtained full-time employment in companies like Tesla, Google, SpaceX, and Goldman Sachs.
Australian National University (ANU)

The ANU is the number 1 research university in Australia. It is known for its emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. The University has high international student enrollment, and provides access to Canberra’s political, business, and cultural institutions, and is known for its research collaborations. Some of the popular courses to study here are Political Science, Environmental Science, Economics, Business, and Engineering. ANU has consistently appeared in the HPI visa university list.. Those who complete studies from here can also easily get the Australian post-study work visa.
University of Toronto in Canada
The University of Toronto (UoT) is known for its research-driven environment and diverse academic programs. Did you know the first electron microscope and insulin therapy were developed here? The acceptance rate of this university is 43%, and the popular courses students take up are Humanities, Computer Science, Health Sciences, and Business. International students can obtain a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after graduation. This can lead to PR and even strengthen your HPI Visa applications.
Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is known for engineering, technology, and natural sciences. As an international student, you do not have to pay any tuition fees here. Moreover, you can access placement opportunities in top German companies such as BMW and Bosch. The University acceptance rate is about 8 to 10%. If you graduate from TUM, you are considered a high-potential individual and can increase your chances of getting an HPI Visa.
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Switzerland
ETH Zurich is one of the top universities in Europe for science and technology.. Popular courses here are Computer Science, Architecture, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, and Natural Sciences. They offer plenty of research opportunities to students and have a strong international student network. Zurich itself is a hub of finance, engineering, and technology industries. The acceptance rate to this university is 27%. About 21 Nobel Prize winners are alumni of this university. This list includes Albert Einstein.
Other Notable Universities Consistently Ranked Under the HPI Visa University List
Several other universities have been consistently ranked under the HPI visa university list. Some of these universities are listed below. You can also consider studying here, as these institutions are known for quality education.
| S.No | Country | University |
| 1 | United States | Harvard University |
| 2 | United States | Stanford University |
| 3 | Australia | University of Melbourne |
| 4 | Australia | University of Sydney |
| 5 | Canada | McGill University |
| 6 | Canada | University of British Columbia |
| 7 | Germany | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| 8 | Germany | Heidelberg University |
| 9 | Switzerland | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) |
| 10 | Switzerland | University of Zurich |
Also Read: 8 Best Companies for Visa Sponsorship UK
Countries on the High-Potential Individual Visa University List
Most Universities listed in the HPI Visa University list are from Western countries. A few from Asian countries. In general, if you are aiming for the HPI visa, you must study of the top-ranked universities in any of the following countries:
- USA
- Swizerland
- Australia
- Germany
- Canada
- China
- Japan
UK HPI Visa Requirements Every Applicant Must Know About
To get a UK HPI Visa, ensure that you have completed a bachelor’s, postgraduate, PhD/doctoral studies from a university on the official university list. Your qualification must have been obtained in the last 5 years. Besides this, you must meet the following requirements:
- Prove you have at least a B1 level of English language proficiency
- Prove that you have sufficient funds to take care of yourself while you are in the UK. You need EUR 1,270 as a minimum bank balance, and pay the healthcare surcharge and other additional expenses.
The HPI Visa University List is updated every year. This year’s list ranks universities such as MIT, Harvard University, Peking University, Yale University, among others. If you want to take up a degree program in any one of these universities, the best time is now. You can also check out the universities that are consistently ranked and apply for admission there. This will give you more certainty of being eligible for the HPI visa.
Also Read: HPI Visa UK: Benefits, Cost, Requirements, & Application Process
FAQs
You are eligible for the HPI visa if you have completed your studies at a university that is listed on the eligible list of universities. Besides this, you must have a B1 level of English language proficiency, and must have sufficient funds to take care of yourself while you are in the UK.
It is not easy to get into the universities listed in the HPI visa university list. However, the universities that are modernly difficult to get into are the University of Melbourne, McGill University, and University of Sydney, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland). The overall visa application success rate does not depend on the university but on your overall application and whether you meet the visa requirements or not.
Yes. If you get this visa, you can study in the UK for up to 2-3 years. You can also choose to work or even become self-employed.
Ensure that your university is listed in the current eligible list of universities for visa. Apart from this, the biggest mistake a student makes while applying is not having sufficient funds. Hence, have sufficient funds and meet all the requirements before applying for the visa.
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