QS has just released the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject, compiled by the global higher education analytics firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds, this year compares over 21,000 university programs from more than 1,900 institutions across 100 regions.
The QS Subject Rankings are published annually to help prospective students identify top schools in their fields of interest. Let's dive into this year's latest rankings!
2026 QS Subject Ranking Indicators
The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluates the world's top universities across 55 specific disciplines.
The 2026 QS Subject Rankings are determined by five indicators:
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Academic Reputation
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Employer Reputation
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Citations per Paper
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H-index
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International Research Network
Highlights of the 2026 QS Subject Rankings
The United States claims the top spot in 37 of the 55 subjects, and occupies 88 of the top three positions. Harvard University delivered the strongest performance, capturing first place in 17 subjects this year—an unshakable position. MIT leads in 12 subjects.
The United Kingdom's higher education sector remains vibrant, with UK universities topping 15 subjects. Traditional powerhouse Oxford remains the UK's best, achieving first place in five subjects.
Australia dominates in sports-related subjects, with the University of Queensland ranked second and the University of Sydney third.
Mainland China sees 15 of its subjects break into the global top 10 this year, more than doubling from 7 in 2021.
2026 QS Top 10 by Subject (Selected)
Engineering & Technology
Life Sciences & Medicine
Social Sciences & Management
Arts & Humanities
Natural Sciences
For the complete 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, visit:
https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings
When planning your future studies, this QS World University Rankings by Subject can serve as a cross-reference to help you select programs in your field of interest, maximizing the return on your overseas education.
Rankings are for reference only and should not be the sole basis for university applications.
When choosing target universities, students should view various rankings rationally and integrate their own background and various needs to make a more reasonable and personalized choice.









