Monash University has strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading research and education institutions, with outstanding results across all faculties in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, including multiple disciplines ranked among the world’s best.
The latest rankings place Monash second in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, confirming the University’s global leadership in pharmaceutical research, education and industry impact.
Monash’s position as a national leader was also reinforced, with Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and Economics and Econometrics both ranked number one in Australia. Monash’s Education discipline was ranked number two nationally.
Monash has ranked in the world’s top 100 in 46 out of 48 narrow subjects, demonstrating the University’s strength across a wide breadth of disciplines spanning health, engineering, sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Monash also recorded strong results across the five broad subject areas evaluated in the rankings, with Life Sciences and Medicine ranked 26th globally, and Social Sciences and Management ranked equal 34th worldwide, highlighting the University’s multidisciplinary excellence.
Global subject leaders
Several Monash disciplines achieved particularly strong global placements, across the narrow subjects, including:
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2 – Pharmacy and Pharmacology
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=11 – Mineral and Mining Engineering
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18 – Education
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=19 – Nursing
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30 – Philosophy
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32 – Law
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33 – Medicine
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=33 – Materials Science
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36 – Economics and Econometrics
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38 – Accounting and Finance
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39 – Civil and Structural Engineering
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40 – Communication and Media Studies
The rankings also highlight strong performance across emerging and high-impact fields, including Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Psychology and Chemistry, reflecting Monash’s growing influence in disciplines shaping the future global economy and society.
Strength across major academic disciplines
Monash’s performance across the broad subject areas further demonstrates the University’s global standing:
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Social Sciences and Management =34
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Natural Sciences =58
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Life Sciences and Medicine 26
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Engineering and Technology =51
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Arts and Humanities =55
These results reflect Monash’s continued growth in global academic reputation, research impact and international collaboration.
A globally connected research university
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering said the results recognise the exceptional work and achievements of Monash researchers, educators, graduates and students.
“Monash is proud to see so many of our disciplines recognised among the world’s best,” Professor Pickering said.
“These results reflect the depth of expertise among our people across the University and our commitment to delivering research and education that addresses the world’s most pressing challenges.
“Our global community of researchers, alumni, students and partners is driving breakthroughs across health, technology, sustainability and society, and that breadth of impact is recognised in this year’s rankings.”
Professor Pickering said Monash’s strong performance across multiple fields also highlights the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and global collaboration.
“From life-changing and life-saving medical discoveries to innovations in engineering, data science and the humanities, Monash is focused on delivering knowledge and solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities around the world.”
About the QS World University Rankings by Subject
The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluates universities across 55 individual disciplines and five broad subject areas, assessing academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact and international research collaboration.
The 2026 rankings analysed more than 6200 institutions globally, with around 1900 universities ultimately ranked, making them one of the most comprehensive global assessments of university performance by discipline.
Read more about rankings at Monash University.
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