QS ranks U of T first in Canada, among top 17 globally across all broad subject fields

Apr 2, 2026

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 evaluates institutions across 55 specific subjects, grouped into five broad fields, based on academic and employer reputation, bibliometrics and international collaborations.

The University of Toronto has been ranked first in Canada and among the top 17 universities globally in all five broad subject fields tracked by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

Published by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, the annual rankings assess institutions across 55 specific subjects grouped into five broad fields based on academic and employer reputation, bibliometrics and international collaborations.

Academic excellence across disciplines

U of T ranked among the top 17 in every broad field: life sciences and medicine (12^th), arts and humanities (14^th), social sciences and management (15^th), natural sciences (16^th) and engineering and technology (17^th).

It also landed in the top 10 globally in six specific subjects – nursing (fourth), sports-related subjects (sixth), psychology (eighth), education and training (10^th), English language and literature (10^th) and philosophy (10^th).

These results reflect something we’re especially proud of at the University of Toronto – our world-leading scholarship across an incredibly wide range of disciplines.

“These results reflect something we’re especially proud of at the University of Toronto – our world-leading scholarship across an incredibly wide range of disciplines,” said U of T President Melanie Woodin. “This breadth of excellence is testament to the outstanding talent and dedication of our faculty, students and librarians across the humanities, social sciences, sciences and professions.”

This year’s rankings evaluated more than 1,900 institutions using five indicators: surveys of academics; surveys of employers; citations per paper; research productivity and impact; and scope of international research collaborations.

These results reflect something we’re especially proud of at the University of Toronto – our world-leading scholarship across an incredibly wide range of disciplines.

A global powerhouse

U of T held or improved its position in 30 subjects compared to last year. Notable gains included: psychology (up five spots to eighth); biological sciences (up six spots to 16^th); communication and media studies (up eight spots to 21^st); and politics and international studies (up 12 spots to 22^nd).

U of T was one of just seven universities to rank among the top 25 in 33 specific subjects. The others were: the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University and the National University of Singapore.

It also ranked in the top 50 in 48 specific subjects – more than any other university in the world.

Overall, U of T continues to be ranked among the top 30 universities globally across the five most closely watched international rankings: QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities, Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities and National Taiwan University World University Rankings.

By Adina Bresge

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