KEY POINTS
- Oxford University maintains top spot for 10th year in Times Higher Education’s 2026 rankings.
- Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad led Pakistan in the 401–500 band.
- A total of 99 Pakistani universities made the list, with 48 ranked and 51 earning reporter status.
- India overtook the UK as the country with the second-highest number of ranked universities.
ISLAMABAD: The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 have been released, featuring 2,191 institutions from 115 countries and territories, with the University of Oxford maintaining its position as the world’s top university for the tenth consecutive year.
The rankings continue to be a trusted benchmark for students, academics, governments, and industry leaders around the globe.
This year’s edition brought notable shifts and achievements across regions. Princeton University reached its highest-ever position, rising to joint third, while China expanded its presence in the top 40 with five institutions, up from three last year. Hong Kong made history with six universities in the top 200, thanks to improvements in teaching metrics.
Significantly, India surpassed the UK to become the country with the second-highest number of ranked universities, trailing only the United States.
A total of 99 Pakistani universities secured a place in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, reflecting a growing presence on the global academic stage.
Out of these, 48 universities achieved regular ranked positions, meeting the criteria for inclusion based on performance indicators such as teaching, research, and international outlook.
Meanwhile, 51 institutions were granted “reporter” status, indicating that they submitted data for evaluation but did not meet the full criteria for ranking. Nonetheless, their inclusion highlights a positive step toward greater global engagement and future competitiveness.
Pakistan’s Performance
In a promising development for higher education in Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad has ranked in the 401–500 band, leading all Pakistani institutions with an overall score between 46.2 and 49.8. The university particularly excelled in Research Quality (84.7) and International Outlook (56.1).
Speaking to WE News English, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.), Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), congratulated all stakeholders.
He especially acknowledged the relentless efforts of the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and the ranking committee, whose dedication played a crucial role in the university’s success.
“Despite significant financial challenges, QAU continues to thrive, a testament to the power of commitment and academic excellence,” the Vice Chancellor remarked.
He also stressed the importance of increased government support, urging authorities to recognize QAU’s achievements by providing greater financial resources to help sustain and further enhance its international standing.
Several other Pakistani universities made it into the 601–800 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, reflecting the country’s growing presence in global academia.
Air University stood out with an impressive Research Quality score of 83.7, while Bahauddin Zakariya University also performed strongly in this category with a score of 75.0.
COMSATS University Islamabad recorded a high Research Quality score of 86.2, complemented by a solid International Outlook score of 50.9, indicating strong global engagement.
Meanwhile, Government College University Faisalabad demonstrated its research competitiveness with a Research Quality score of 81.4, reinforcing the upward trajectory of Pakistan’s higher education sector.
These results underline Pakistan’s growing visibility in global academia, particularly in research performance and international collaboration.
Rankings Methodology
The rankings are based on five key metrics: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry Income, and International Outlook. The 2026 list was powered by data and analytics from Elsevier, with input from global academic and institutional stakeholders.
