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University of Birmingham cements its position among top universities in 2026 THE subject rankings

Seven subjects now rank in the top 100 in the 2026 Times Higher Education subject league table, including life sciences, law and business.

21 January 2026
Two female students in lab wearing white coats pointing at a monitor

The University of Birmingham continues to perform strongly in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with seven subject areas now featuring in the global top 100, up from five last year. The University ranks 98th in the world league table.

Published today (Wednesday 21 January 2026), the results demonstrate the University of Birmingham’s excellence across a comprehensive range of disciplines.

Subjects ranked in the global top 100 include:

  • Psychology at 68th,
  • Medicine and Health at 70th,
  • Arts and Humanities at 86th,
  • Education Studies at 90th,
  • Law at 93rd,
  • Life Sciences at 93rd,
  • Business and Economics at 99th.

Business and Economics, alongside Psychology, have risen two places, whilst Law and Life Sciences have risen eight places, compared to the 2025 ranking.

Our continued rise in international subject rankings demonstrates the quality of teaching, research, and student experience across our disciplines.

Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)

Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Birmingham, said:

“Our continued rise in international subject rankings demonstrates the quality of teaching, research, and student experience across our disciplines. With seven subject areas placed within the top 100, these results reflect our commitment to providing an education that prepares our students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes sought after by employers and delivers great career prospects for our graduates.”

In 2025, Birmingham was named the number one institution targeted by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers for the second consecutive year.

The THE subject rankings evaluate universities across 18 performance indicators spanning five areas: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook, and industry.

The latest THE ranking reflects sustained improvement for Birmingham over the last seven years, with the University climbing 43 places since 2018. The University of Birmingham also ranks 76th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The University of Birmingham has been changing how the world works for over 125 years, and this continued ranking success is evidence of its ongoing dedication to world leading research and teaching.

Notes for editors

  • For media enquiries please contact the Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries.
  • England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.
  • The University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out at birmingham.ac.uk/sustainability.

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  • Professor Deborah Longworth

    Professor of English Literature

    Biographical and contact information for Professor Deborah Longworth in the Department of English at the University of Birmingham.

    Phone: +44 (0)121 414 7248
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