Six Canadian universities stand out in global rankings by subject
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) published its latest university rankings by subject, and two Canadian universities have ranked in the top 30 globally.
The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia ranked within the top 30 across all five subject areas.
A total of six Canadian universities made it into the top 100 for various subjects in 2026—the same as last year.
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The 16th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject stands as its most expansive yet, featuring over 1,900 institutions across the globe.
Five broad subject areas were considered (comprising 55 sub-disciplines overall), including
- Life sciences and medicine;
- Engineering and technology;
- Natural sciences;
- Arts and humanities; and
- Social sciences and management.
These rankings serve as a tool for prospective students seeking universities that excel in their chosen field and align with their career ambitions.
How did Canadian universities perform in 2026?
The University of Toronto maintained its position as Canada’s highest-ranking university for each subject, with its rank ranging from 12th place to 17th across subjects this year (compared to 13th to 20th the year prior).
The University of British Columbia performed better in two subject areas this year (engineering and technology, and social sciences and management).
The University of Waterloo improved its ranking for the two subjects it placed in, by seven and five positions, respectively.
This year, the University of Alberta made the top 100 for two subject areas (rather than just one), sneaking in at 98th place for the natural sciences category. Its rank under life sciences and medicine, however, declined from 86th place in 2025 to 93rd in 2026.
McMaster continued to rank in the top 100 for just one subject (life sciences and medicine) but rose from 59th place the year prior to its current 56th position.
Canada’s top-ranking institutions by subject matter this year were located across Ontario (three), British Columbia (one), Alberta (one), and Quebec (one).
The table below showcases the rank, by subject area, for each of the six Canadian institutions that ranked within the top 100 worldwide.
| University | Life sciences and medicine | Engineering and technology | Natural sciences | Arts and humanities | Social sciences and management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 12 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 |
| University of British Columbia | 25 | 29 | 22 | 23 | 18 |
| McGill University | 28 | 41 | 39 | 35 | 32 |
| University of Waterloo | -- | 38 | 67 | -- | -- |
| University of Alberta | 93 | -- | 98 | -- | -- |
| McMaster University | 56 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
If a numbered ranking is not listed in the table above, it's because the institution didn't rank within the top 100 in that subject.
Note, however, that certain institutions above tied with others based on subject matter:
Life sciences and medicine
- McGill University: tied for 28th with the University of Hong Kong.
- University of Alberta: tied for 93 with Trinity College of Dublin/University of Dublin, the University of Groningen, and the University of Leeds.
Engineering and technology
- University of British Columbia: tied for 29th with the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.
- University of Waterloo: tied for 28th with Princeton University.
Natural sciences
- University of Toronto: tied for 16th with Columbia University.
- University of British Columbia: tied for 22nd with Sorbonne University and the University of California, Los Angeles.
- McGill University: tied for 39th with the University of South Wales and the University of California, San Diego.
Arts and humanities
McGill University: tied for 35th with the University of Pennsylvania.
Social sciences and management
- University of Toronto tied for 15th with Pekin University.
- University of British Columbia tied for 32 with Cornell University.
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Which disciplines are considered under each subject?
Under each subject, the QS lists certain disciplines. This year’s rankings, like last year, consist of a total of 55 disciplines spanning across all subjects.
View the table below to see which disciplines are included under each broad subject.
| Subject area | Associated disciplines |
|---|---|
| Life sciences and medicine | Agriculture and Forestry Anatomy and Physiology Biological Sciences Dentistry Medicine Nursing Pharmacy and Pharmacology Psychology Veterinary Science |
| Engineering and technology | Computer Science and Information Systems Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Civil and Structural Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mineral and Mining Engineering - Petroleum |
| Natural science | Chemistry Earth and Marine Sciences Environmental Sciences Geography Geology Geophysics Materials Sciences Mathematics Physics and Astronomy |
| Arts and humanities | Archaeology Architecture and Built Environment Art and Design Art History Classics and Ancient History English Language and Literature History Linguistics Modern Languages Music Performing Arts Philosophy Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies |
| Social sciences and management | Accounting and Finance Anthropology Business and Management Studies Communication and Media Studies Development Studies Economics and Econometrics Education and Training Hospitality and Leisure Management Law and Legal Studies Library and Information Management Marketing Politics Social Policy and Administration Sociology Sports-Related Subjects Statistics and Operational Research |
Prospective students can use the rankings to compare institutions based on their performance and can even filter universities based on individual subject and indictator (more on the latter below).
What were the top universities for each subject, on a global scale?
Dominating the rankings, US institutions—Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both located in Cambridge—claimed four of the top five spots across all subjects.
- Life sciences and medicine: Harvard University (Cambridge, US)
- Engineering and technology: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, US)
- Natural sciences: Harvard University (Cambridge, US)
- Arts and humanities: University of Oxford (Oxford, United Kingdom)
- Social sciences and management: Harvard University (Cambridge, US).
Methodology
The QS World University Rankings by Subject are determined based on five pre-established “indicators” which consist of the following:
Academic reputation: Captures the universities that academics themselves recognize as leaders in research, filtered to the specific areas of expertise identified by respondents.
Employer reputation: Drawn from global employer surveys, this metric highlights universities considered top sources of high-quality graduates in specific disciplines.
Research citations per paper: Measures the impact of a university’s research output by counting citations, adjusted to reflect common publication and citation patterns in each field.
H-index: Assesses scholarly impact by considering both the quantity of publications and their citation frequency, capturing both productivity and recognition.
International research network: Evaluates a university’s ability to build sustainable international collaborations across a range of disciplines.
This year’s rankings feature over 1,900 institutions, including 300 newcomers making their debut in the list.
How to study in Canada
Most foreign nationals require a study permit to study in Canada unless they meet federal exemption criteria.
Before applying for a study permit, you will need to select and enroll in a designated learning institution (DLI)—as well as obtain a letter of acceptance, and Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL).
Note that certain individuals (e.g., master’s and doctoral level students) enrolled at a public DLI do not need a PAL/TAL to apply for a study permit.
Those intending to work following their studies will want to check if their DLI and program are eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
In order to be eligible for a study permit, you must also ensure you have proof of sufficient funds to support yourself (and your family members, if applicable) during your studies in Canada. The required amount is dependent on family size—for a single applicant, it starts at $20,635 for the first year of study.
Most people must apply for a study permit online, which requires submitting an application directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC will auto-generate a personalized document checklist after you answer some questions—include all required documents in your application.
At the time of application, make sure to pay the study permit processing fee ($150 per person) and biometrics fee ($95 per person) and attach the receipt.
Processing times for study permits vary depending on where you're applying from, though five to 10 weeks is common. See the latest study permit processing times for top source countries here.
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