The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 have been announced, ranking 55 individual subjects across five broad subject areas. The rankings measure the quality and reputation of research and include measures on academic and employer reputation, citations performance and international collaboration. This year's rankings are the biggest to date, comparing over 1,900 institutions from across the globe.

Three of the four subjects at Manchester ranked in the top ten are taught in the Faculty of Humanities. Development Studies climbed six places from 11th to rank 5th in the world, while Architecture – taught at the Manchester School of Architecture, a collaboration between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University – also secured 5th place globally for the fourth consecutive year. Geography rose eight places to rank 9th in the world, breaking the top ten.

Four of the 11 subjects at our University ranked 11-25 are also taught across the Faculty:

• Sociology – ranked 20th (same as 2025)
• Anthropology – ranked 20th (up from 21)
• Accounting and Finance – ranked 21st (up from 23)
• English Language and Literature – ranked 22nd (down from 18)

Of the five broad subject areas assessed, two are taught in the Faculty. ‘Social Sciences and Management' rose six places to rank 30th in the world and 'Arts and Humanities’ fell three places to rank 39th.

The University as a whole has maintained a strong presence in the top 50, with 34 subjects ranked in the top 50 globally, an increase from 31 last year.

Whilst the above shows positive gains for a number of subjects, it is also important to recognise that 8 out of the 23 subject areas aligned to the Faculty saw a declining global position from the 2025 results. As part of From Manchester for the world, we are continuing to work to improve our research and teaching across all areas and how this is captured in global rankings.