QS Rankings by Subject 2026 released

What are the QS World University Rankings by Subject?

Global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds have now released the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. 

The 2026 rankings cover subjects (areas of study) in five broad categories: Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.

How did Australia perform?

The 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject feature 37 Australian providers appearing a total of 926 times across the broad categories and subject areas.  

In fact, Australia is ranked in the Top 100 worldwide across 54 different subject areas!

Eleven of Australia’s universities are also ranked in the Top 10 globally across 7 subject areas, including: Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Sports-related subjects, Engineering, Philosophy, Archaeology and Anthropology.

Australia excels in STEM

The 2026 QS rankings in the Engineering and Technology category feature three Australian universities in the world’s Top 50. Further, two thirds of Australia’s total entries in the Engineering and Technology category have risen in the rankings since last year. In Data Science and AI, Australia has also grown from seven to 13 entries in 2026. 

These 2026 QS WUR by Subject results show that Australian education providers are well placed to prepare students and graduates for the changing world of work. For example, the Australian Government agency Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) predicts that STEM roles requiring a bachelor degree or higher will grow by 24 per cent by 2035. 

Highlights from individual provider results

• University of Melbourne secured six subject global Top 20 spots: Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Psychology, Sociology, and English Language and Literature.
• Monash University is ranked 2nd globally in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and highest for Australia in Economics and Econometrics.
• University of Sydney ranks highly in Data Science and AI (38th), Philosophy (16th), and Sports-related subjects (3rd).
• University of Technology (UTS) is ranked highest for Australia in Nursing. 
• Macquarie University is in the global Top 20 in Philosophy (18th). 
• Australian Catholic University is ranked Top 20 globally for Theology (18th).  
• RMIT is in the global Top 20 for Art and Design (19th).
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is ranked highest for Australia in Media Studies (19th). 
• Blue Mountains Hotel Management School is ranked 21st in the world for Hospitality. 

Start exploring courses

If you’d like to study at one of Australia’s world-class education providers, use our Course Search tool to start exploring courses and making enquiries. 

To learn more about Australia's world-leading study areas, and find a career that best suits your strengths and interests, search our areas of study pages.