University of British Columbia Ranking

Did You Know? The University of British Columbia continues its strong global standing in the QS World University Rankings 2026, securing #40 worldwide with an overall score of 85.5. UBC achieved #5 in QS Sustainability, demonstrating its leadership in environmental and social impact.

University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading academic and research powerhouse in Canada, and is consistently ranked within the world’s top 50. In the QS World University Rankings, UBC made an impressive leap in 2024, rising from #47 in 2023 to #34, marking one of its best global positions in recent years. UBC was ranked #38 in 2025 and #40 in 2026. 

Students from around the world choose UBC for its strong academic reputation and world-class faculty. It’s well known for research excellence, sustainability leadership, and diverse global programs.

 UBC’s innovative learning environment makes it one of the top US universities. This recognition further reinforces its appeal as a premier destination for studying in the U.S.

University of British Columbia Rankings 2025-26

The University of British Columbia’s performance across global rankings over the last three years has been consistently strong. The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings paint a picture of stability. UBC stood at #40 in 2023, then moved to #41 in both 2024 and 2025. In the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings, it slipped from a strong #35 globally in 2023, to #39 in 2024, and #41 in 2025.

Let's take a look at the University of British Columbia ranking:

Ranking Body	2024	2025	2026
QS World University Rankings	34	38	40
U.S. News & World Report	NA	41	41
Times Higher Education Rankings	41	41	NA

University of British Columbia Ranking saw a gradual decline from 34 in 2024 to 40 in 2026, reflecting increased competition but still maintaining a strong top-50 global position. First appearing in 2025 at 41st, the university holds steady in 2026, highlighting its rising global recognition and academic impact.

The university remained stable at 41st in 2024 and 2025. Though 2026 data is pending, the consistency indicates sustained performance. Despite minor shifts, the university maintains a solid global reputation, reinforcing its appeal for students aiming to study in the U.S.

The ranking trend shows that while UBC experienced a slight dip across some global rankings from 2024 to 2026, it has maintained a strong and consistent position within the top 50 universities worldwide. This consistency reflects UBC’s enduring academic excellence, global reputation, and commitment to research-driven education, reinforcing its place as one of Canada’s and the world’s leading institutions.

Let's explore the details to see how the University of British Columbia courses rank.

Subject-wise Rankings of the University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) excels across various academic disciplines in global subject rankings. 

 In the QS Subject Rankings 2025, UBC is featured in the largest number of subject areas (52), more than any other university, with its Sport‑related subjects ranking at an outstanding 5th in the world. In THE 2025 subject rankings, UBC holds notable positions in Business & Economics (#29), Clinical & Health (#28), Education Studies (#25), and Engineering (#49).

The U.S. News Subject Rankings 2025 places UBC within top global brackets for Arts & Humanities (#38), reflecting its contributions to cultural and creative studies. 

Let's discuss the University of British Columbia ranking for subjects in detail:

QS Rankings

UBC stands out in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with strong global placements across key disciplines. It ranks 5th worldwide in Sports-Related Subjects, showcasing excellence in health and athletic studies, and 30th in Marketing, reflecting its strength in business education and industry relevance.

Here's the ranking of various University of British Columbia courses based on the QS ranking:

Program Name	Ranking 2025
Education & Training	24
Sports-Related Subjects	5
Marketing	30 (global rank)
Business & Management Studies	Top 20 (North America)

Now, let's look at the University of British Columbia's Times Higher Education Rankings

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings

UBC demonstrates strong academic performance across key fields in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 subject rankings. It ranks 29th globally in Business and Economics and 28th in Clinical & Health, highlighting its excellence in research, teaching, and industry engagement in these disciplines.

Here's how different courses at the University of British Columbia rank based on THE rankings:

Program Name	Ranking 2025
Arts and Humanities	53rd
Business and Economics	29th
Clinical & Health	28th
Computer Science	51st
Education Studies	25th
Engineering	49th
Law	41st
Life Sciences	33rd
Physical Sciences	56th
Psychology	17th
Social Sciences	28th

Next, let's discuss the US news rankings for the University of British Columbia

U.S. News Rankings

UBC is recognized for its academic strengths in the U.S. News & World Report subject rankings. It ranks #38 globally in Arts and Humanities, reflecting its cultural and scholarly impact, and #118 (tie) in Artificial Intelligence, showcasing its growing presence in cutting-edge tech research.

Here's a look at the University of British Columbia ranking for popular programs:

Program Name	Ranking 2026
Agricultural Sciences	#79 (tie)
Artificial Intelligence	#118 (tie)
Arts and Humanities	#38
Biology and Biochemistry	#41 (tie)
Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology	#75
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems	#46
Cell Biology	#62
Chemical Engineering	#158
Chemistry	#111 (tie)
Civil Engineering	#44 (tie)
Clinical Medicine	#40 (tie)
Computer Science	#75 (tie)

Let's look at how the University of British Columbia performs in other diversified rankings.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

In 2025, UBC continues to earn global recognition beyond traditional academic metrics. It ranks 5th worldwide in the QS Sustainability Rankings, highlighting its environmental and social impact leadership. Additionally, it places 47th in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), reflecting strong overall academic and research performance in the education system in the US.

Here are some of the University of British Columbia ranking in miscellaneous areas: 

Ranking Organization	Ranking Details	Rank (2025)
QS Sustainability Rankings	Global sustainability performance	5
Shanghai Ranking (ARWU)	Academic Ranking of World Universities	47
Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)	Overall global university performance	48 (World), 3 (Canada)
US News Report	Global research reputation	#41
US News Report	Regional research reputation	#33
US News Report	Normalized citation impact	#257

Let's explore the academic and extracurricular achievements that demonstrate the academic standing of the University of British Columbia.

University of British Columbia: Excellence and Achievements

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global leader in research and innovation, consistently ranked among the world's top research universities. With over $750 million in annual research funding, UBC attracted $892.8 million to support nearly 10,000 projects across its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. 

Its impact goes beyond academia as 260 spin-off companies have emerged from UBC research, and the university actively collaborates through 1,095 industry partnerships and 1,319 agreements with government and non-profit organizations, turning research into practical solutions.

Below is an overview of the University of British Columbia ranking and recognitions across key areas:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

UBC ranks 5th globally in sustainability (QS 2025), leading in climate action and education through its 2030 Plan and fossil fuel divestment. With 75 Rhodes Scholarship awardees, 22 top teaching award winners, 8,000+ annual research projects, and over $1M in open educational resources, UBC exemplifies academic excellence and innovation.

Here are the significant academic and national recognitions: 

Category	Recognition
Global Research Standing	2nd in Canada for research excellence  8 Nobel laureates  306 Royal Society Fellows  Top 1% global impact in medicine & quantum tech
Sustainability Leadership	Ranked 5th globally in QS Sustainability Rankings 2025  Leads climate action through 2030 Plan  First among top universities to divest from fossil fuels
Academic Excellence	75 Rhodes Scholars  22 national teaching award winners  8,000+ annual research projects  $1M+ invested in open educational resources
Student Success	Top 1% globally for graduate employability  $35M+ in scholarships annually  6,000+ placements in Canada’s largest co-op program
Indigenous Engagement	First university in North America to adopt UNDRIP  Offers Musqueam Scholarships  Operates First Nations House of Learning

Next, let's see how the University of British Columbia has been developing its student community as an inclusive one.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

UBC is deeply committed to student well-being and global engagement. Through its FORWARD Initiative, the university aims to raise $3 billion to improve affordability via accomodation in the US and financial aid. 

Globally, UBC ranks 37th for research partnerships (QS) and actively contributes to international efforts like the UN Climate Conferences (COP), reflecting its role in global citizenship.

Here are some of the University of British Columbia's community development initiatives:

Category	Recognition
Social Impact & Equality	- First North American university to adopt UNDRIP - $4M committed to the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP)
Student Support	- Targeting $3B fundraising for the FORWARD Initiative - Focused on student housing and financial aid affordability
Global Citizenship	- Ranked 37th globally for research partnerships (QS 2025) - Actively participates in UN Climate Conferences (COP)
Cultural Recognition	- Hosts Black History Month events annually - Beau Dick Memorial Award: $20,000 for Kwakwakaʼwakw First Nation students
Employee Recognition	- Internal recognition through President's Service Awards - Promotes staff well-being and workplace appreciation programs

Let's explore how the University of British Columbia promotes creative and cultural initiatives for international students.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

UBC fosters a vibrant culture of creativity and open learning. Its OER Awards highlight faculty like Dr. Lindsay Cuff (Writing Place) and the Engineering team for developing impactful free educational resources. In the arts, UBC celebrates scholars such as Dr. Lisa Coulthard for her work on cinema sound and Dr. Mary Chapman for her mentorship in creative writing.

Here are some notable creative initiatives of the University of British Columbia that help you make the most of your university experience:

Category	Recognition
Indigenous Art & Heritage	The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) holds 50,000+ artifacts, including the top collection of Bill Reid's works, and runs UBC's longest-standing Indigenous youth program.
Open Educational Resources (OER)	UBC's OER Awards recognize faculty like Dr. Lindsay Cuff (Writing Place) and the Engineering team for impactful free resources.
Performing Arts & Film	Creative awards honor Dr. Lisa Coulthard for cinema sound research and Dr. Mary Chapman for mentorship in creative writing.
Asian Studies & Research	UBC's Institute of Asian Research, with $20M+ in endowments, is Canada's top Asia-focused think tank, hosting 50+ annual events.
Emeritus Faculty Achievements	Prof. Emeritus Sima Godfrey's Crimean War and Cultural Memory revives overlooked French cultural history.

Now that you've explored the University of British Columbia's ranking and achievements in academics, culture, and community development, let's discuss the relationship between ranking and acceptance rates.

University of British Columbia: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

The University of British Columbia (UBC) ranks among the world's top universities in key academic areas, including #38 in Arts and Humanities, #41 (tie) in Biology and Biochemistry, and #75 in Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (QS Rankings). 

Despite its strong global reputation, UBC maintains a relatively accessible 65% acceptance rate, offering students academic excellence and admission opportunities.

Below is a table showcasing the overall acceptance rate for the University of British Columbia for the top programs:

Course	US News Rankings	Acceptance Rate
Artificial Intelligence	#118 (tie)	65%
Arts and Humanities	#38
Biology and Biochemistry	#41 (tie)
Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology	#75

Students should consider the University of British Columbia's academic strength and accessibility as a potential choice.

Now, let's discuss the methodologies used to evaluate universities for rankings.

Ranking Methodologies

Global university ranking systems use standardized frameworks to assess and compare top universities worldwide, combining quantitative data with expert analysis. Prominent organizations like QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report each apply unique methods to evaluate academic quality and institutional performance.

Let's explore ranking methodologies for ranking agencies such as QS, THE, and US News:

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings is a top global university evaluation system, assessing over 1,500 institutions each year. It blends academic and employer reputation surveys with quantifiable metrics such as faculty-to-student ratios and research output.

Here are the indicators used in QS World University rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

Now, let's take a look at the ranking methodology for THE

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings is a widely recognized global assessment system emphasizing research-intensive universities. It evaluates institutions across five key areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry Engagement to provide a comprehensive picture of academic excellence.

Here are the criteria used by THE university rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor's ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
	Patents	2%

Now, let's explore the ranking methodology for THE

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News & World Report is a trusted source for higher education rankings, known for its thorough evaluation of academic quality, student outcomes, and social mobility. The 2025 rankings focus on tangible results like graduation rates and career options after graduation, offering a well-rounded view of institutional performance.

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report rankings:

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

These rankings showcase the University of British Columbia's ability to provide high-quality education and strong real-world outcomes, such as employability. Its 2025 results emphasize the university's academic and research excellence. 

Next, let's explore Duke's position in global higher education.

Conclusion

The University of British Columbia (UBC) consistently ranks among the top 50 universities globally, with strong placements in QS, THE, and U.S. News rankings. Despite a slight dip in QS rankings (from 34th in 2024 to 40th in 2026), UBC maintains a stable global presence.

UBC excels in key subjects, 5th in Sports-Related Subjects, Top 30 in Marketing, Business, Education, and Clinical Health, and #38 in Arts and Humanities, showcasing its academic depth. It also ranks 5th globally for sustainability, underlining its leadership in climate action and social impact.

Importantly, UBC offers a 65% acceptance rate, making world-class education more accessible. UBC stands out as a top global choice for students seeking academic excellence, research opportunities, and inclusivity.