Oxford University named best in the world in four subjects

The University of Oxford secured the top places in the rankings for Anatomy and Physiology, Anthropology, Geography and Modern Languages.

This makes it the UK university with the most courses ranked as the very best in the world.

It also came first in the world overall in the arts and humanities subject area, and scored in the top three university in four out of the five broad subject areas which were ranked.

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Oxford’s vice-chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci said: “Oxford’s strength is based on the breadth and depth of our scholarship, and these latest QS subject rankings are a powerful affirmation of that enduring commitment to support all disciplines.

Professor Irene Tracey, Oxford’s vice-chancellor (Image: Oxford University)

“To see four of our subjects ranked first in the world is a remarkable achievement, and one that reflects the dedication of our academic community.

“That we are the UK university with the most subjects ranked top globally speaks not only to excellence, but to the collaborative, curiosity-driven culture that underpins our fundamental and translational work.

“I am particularly delighted that Oxford has also been recognised as number one in the world for Arts and Humanities overall.

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“At a moment when we are launching our new centre for the Humanities alongside an ambitious Arts and Cultural Programme, this is both a timely endorsement and a reminder of the vital role that the humanities play in helping us understand ourselves, our societies, and our shared future.

“As a university, we honour our intellectual heritage while continually renewing it – ensuring that our teaching and research serve the world with insight, creativity, and purpose.”

The new Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre (Image: Hufton + Crow)

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject features 55 individual subjects across five broad subject areas, and analysed the performance of more than 1700 universities from across the globe.

It comes as Oxford earlier this year ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education subject rankings for Medicine and Computer Science, the eight year in a row its been top for both subjects.

In the QS World Subject Rankings, Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment ranked number one for the 16th year in a row, out of 251 institutions featured, while the department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics has been first for seven consecutive years.

The School of Anthropology returns to the number one spot for the 4th time in 5 years, and Modern Languages topped the subject ranking for the first time since 2022 this year, having been ranked second each of the last three years.

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Professor Dan Grimley, head of the humanities division at the university, said he is ‘delighted’ that the department’s strength had been recognised.

He said: “Outstanding research and expertise from the humanities is critical to tackling the major challenges of the 21st century.

“We also hear from our graduates and their employers that the skills they learned studying the humanities give them an advantage in navigating professional careers which are being impacted by AI in new and uncertain ways.”