UCL ranked among top 10 universities in two major global rankings

This marks UCL’s 14^th consecutive year in the global top 10, underscoring its exceptional reputation among both academics and employers. In both categories, UCL ranks within the top 5% of ranked global institutions.

UCL has also retained its second-place global ranking for international research networks, reinforcing its position as a hub for globally connected research.

In addition, U.S. News & World Report yesterday placed UCL seventh in the world in its 2025-2026 Best Global Universities ranking, which evaluates more than 2,250 institutions based on academic research and reputation. UCL was named the third-best university in Europe, after Oxford and Cambridge.

These achievements follow recent success in the QS Sustainability Rankings, where UCL was named first in the UK and fifth globally, while also ranking first worldwide for knowledge exchange, recognising UCL’s impactful collaborations and commitment to sharing knowledge across local and global communities.

Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President & Provost, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to see UCL recognised as one of the world’s top 10 universities in both the QS and U.S. News & World Report global rankings. To sustain this level of excellence over so many years, and across multiple independent assessments, reflects the outstanding talent, commitment and collaboration of our entire community who continue to make UCL a world-leading centre of research, innovation and education alike.”

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), said: “Being ranked in the global top 10 by both QS and U.S. News & World Report is a powerful endorsement of UCL’s impact across research, education and innovation. These results are a tribute to our staff, students and alumni whose individual and collective excellence continue to drive forward knowledge, discovery and world-leading research to deliver positive change in the UK and around the world.”

In March, the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject saw UCL retain its number one position for education, led by the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, and Architecture and the Built Environment, led by The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. This is the 12^th consecutive year that UCL has ranked first for education, and the third year at the top for architecture and the built environment.

UCL also featured in the global top five in Archaeology, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Geography and Anthropology, as well as ranking in the top 20 in Psychology, Medicine, Anatomy & Physiology, English Language & Literature, Development Studies, Library & Information Management, Law, History, Biological Sciences, Modern Languages, Classics & Ancient History, Economics & Econometrics, Linguistics, and Chemical Engineering.

Both the QS and U.S. News & World Report rankings assess universities using a range of indicators, including academic reputation, citations and international collaboration.

Adding to UCL’s recent recognitions, several staff members were named in the King’s annual Birthday Honours list last weekend, for outstanding contributions to economics, child health, the history of medicine, addiction care, science outreach on space, and patient safety. Those honoured included Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) who was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to economics, and Professor Tim Cole (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), who was appointed CBE for services to medical statistics.

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark 200 years since UCL’s founding as the first university in London. UCL will use this bicentennial as a moment to celebrate its past and look forward to new opportunities and innovation.

Links

• 2026 QS World University Rankings
• UCL in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject 
• UCL ranks 1st in the UK and 5th globally in QS Sustainability Rankings
• UCL academics recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list