Lancaster University named in global top 100 for 11 subjects, according to new rankings

Every year, the QS World University rankings are published to measure over 1,500 institutions worldwide based on their academic performance, employer recognition, research power and impact, teaching quality and sustainability.

There are also QS World Subject rankings of over 5,000 courses, of which are measured on their academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per academic paper and the H-index (a variable which measures the productivity and impact of published works).

In 2026, Lancaster University achieved an overall score of 61.4 as an institution, as well as 89.4 for its sustainability and 87.0 for its international research network.

The linguistics department at Lancaster University has been ranked as the second best in the world for 2026, placing behind Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – this means that the linguistics department at Lancaster University is the most highly ranked in the United Kingdom, according to the new QS World University Rankings.

Linguistics at Lancaster University has performed consistently high in league tables at both a national and international level, and is regarded as being a pioneer of teaching for the subject.

On the news of this success, Professor Luke Harding (Discipline Lead) said: “This ranking demonstrates that our research is widely recognised and valued internationally” and acts as “further evidence that Lancaster, the north of England, and the UK as a whole offer a thriving environment for the study of linguistics in all its many varieties.”

This year’s QS subject rankings also revealed that English language and literature placed 39th, sociology came joint 39th with the University of Vienna, and modern languages placed 71st, in their respective areas.

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Meanwhile, environmental science came in joint 83rd place with the University of Helsinki and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and accounting and finance was placed at 84th. Education also came in 84th place (alongside the University of Limerick) and business and management studies came in 96th place.

Geography, marketing and statistics and operational research were all placed in the 51st-100th group, for their respective fields of study.

Professor Steve Decent, Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “It is enormously encouraging to see Linguistics recognised among the best in the world and ten other subjects in the world top 100.

“We are proud of all the achievements of all our staff and students. This is well-deserved recognition of their excellence and dedication.”

More information on the QS World Rankings 2026 can be found here.

Featured image via QS World Rankings