UNSW ranked first in Engineering & Technology nationwide for the 9th consecutive year of the QS Subject Rankings, with Mineral & Mining Engineering remaining the University’s top-ranking subject.
UNSW has maintained its strong global standing in several disciplines in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
The University, which is ranked 20th in the world in the most recent QS World University Rankings, has 39 subjects in the global top 100, according to the latest results from QS. The rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research citations.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) Professor Bronwyn Fox AO said the rankings reaffirmed UNSW’s position among the world’s best across a broad range of subjects.
“UNSW’s strong performance in these rankings demonstrates the dedication and efforts of our entire UNSW community,” Prof. Fox said. “It’s especially encouraging to see several disciplines maintain a spot in the top 100 of this highly competitive international ranking, which highlights our strengths in research and teaching.”
A decade in the top 10 and #1 in Australia
For the 9th year in a row, the University topped the nation in Engineering & Technology, with UNSW’s highest-ranking subject, Mineral & Mining Engineering (ranked 3rd globally), in the global top 10 for the tenth year. Dean of UNSW Engineering, Professor Julien Epps, said the ranking reinforced the faculty’s position as the top program in the country.
“Our continued place as Australia’s leading university for engineering is a testament to the dedication of our outstanding researchers, educators, professionals and students, who ensure our disciplines stay at the forefront of the field,” Prof. Epps said.
Achievement across the University
UNSW achieved success across the University’s faculties, with Law ranked equal 13th globally. UNSW Science Faculty subjects, including Environmental Sciences, Psychology and Earth and Marine Sciences, placed in the top 50, while Architecture / Built Environment was ranked 33rd.
20 UNSW subjects ranked in the top 50
- Engineering – Mineral & Mining Engineering (3)
- Petroleum Engineering (13)
- Law (=13)
- Engineering – Civil & Structural (=22)
- Environmental Sciences (=25)
- Psychology (26)
- Engineering – Electrical & Electronic (29)
- Accounting & Finance (29)
- Materials Science (=31)
- Architecture / Built Environment (33)
- Geophysics (=33)
- Geology (34)
- Earth & Marine Sciences (37)
- Chemistry (=38)
- Mathematics (=42)
- Marketing (=43)
- Education (=44)
- Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing (=46)
- Business & Management Studies (48)
- Engineering – Chemical (50)
Launched in 2011, the global QS Subject Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research citations. The 2026 league table analysed the reputation and research output of 6273 institutions across 55 subjects in five broad subject areas.
The full results for 2026 can be found on the QS World University Rankings by Subject site.
Contact details:
Ben Knight
External Communications Officer
Phone: (02) 9065 4915
Email: [email protected]
