The University of Exeter has achieved remarkable success in the latest prestigious international ranking, showcasing its strong teaching and research excellence.
Exeter has seen significant improvements in all five broad subject areas in the esteemed 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, which were released on March 25th, 2026.
On a subject level, Exeter has advanced in 22 out of the 39 disciplines it is ranked in, with 11 subjects now positioned in the top 50 globally, and 18 in the top 100.
The 2026 QS World Rankings by Subject evaluate over 1,700 universities worldwide, focusing on five broad subject areas as well as narrower subjects. Their assessment criteria include student experience, university partnerships, research activity, and faculty qualifications.
Notable achievements in the rankings include Arts & Humanities entering the top 100 globally, climbing 14 places to 76th, Life Sciences & Medicine moving up 21 places to 131st, and Natural Sciences experiencing a significant rise of 58 places to 151st.
Engineering & Technology and Social Sciences & Management have also shown strong improvements.
In terms of specific subjects, sport remains Exeter’s highest-ranked subject at 18th in the world. Other exceptional performers include Geology (20), Geophysics (22), and Environmental Sciences (23).
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, expressed her delight at the impressive advancements in subject rankings, attributing them to the exceptional quality of research conducted at the university. She emphasized the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges and contributing to a greener, healthier, and fairer future, thanking the entire university community for their hard work and dedication.
The full rankings can be accessed here.
