Birkbeck named among the world’s top universities in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

Nine subjects taught at Birkbeck, University of London have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, released today, with four of the subjects moving up the rankings and two being ranked for the first time. Additionally, Birkbeck ranks in one broad subject area, moving up the ranking.

For the coveted worldwide spots, English Language and Literature moved up the ranking and now sits within the top 100 universities by subject ranking. History and Psychology also improved and are now ranked in the top 151-200; and Sociology also climbed up the ranking and now occupies a spot in the world’s top 201-250.

Birkbeck’s Arts and Humanities courses also jumped up the rankings, placing in the world’s top 200, compared to position 285 last year. Both Law and Philosophy were ranked for the first time.

Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor, said, “Our strong presence in the new subject ranking from QS demonstrates how Birkbeck provides an excellent education across the board and continues to position itself as a first choice for many students who come to us to study a variety of subjects, many balancing study to fit around their busy lives.

“I am extremely pleased to see our subject rankings improve for many of our ranked subjects, giving us a great standing both for our worldwide as well as national rankings among some of the best higher education institutions. The improvement for our subject rankings follows a favourable result in the overall QS World University Rankings, announced last year, which saw Birkbeck move up twenty places.”

The QS World University Rankings by Subject, produced by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, provides independent comparative analysis on the performance of more than 18,300 individual university programmes, taken by students at more than 1700 universities in 100 locations around the world, across 55 academic disciplines.

The ranking’s methodical evaluations of key areas in higher education institutions offers potential students expert advice to help them decide the best pathway for study. Further information on the methodology can be found here.