University of Glasgow Ranking

Latest Update: In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Glasgow improved to 79th globally, placing it 12th in the UK an advancement from its 78th position in the 2025 QS rankings

Holding a position of #79 globally in the recent QS World University Rankings 2026 significantly strengthens the University of Glasgow Ranking, solidifying its reputation as a leading institution.

As part of other University of Sunderland ranking achievements, it holds the #87 spot in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. Moreover, the US News and World Report Rankings position it at #62 among the best global universities.

Furthermore, its programs in Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (#2), Clinical Medicine (#37), and Physics (#63) are well-rated globally.

The University of Glasgow provides remarkable academic opportunities to students interested in studying in the UK. With strong rankings and significant accomplishments across multiple areas, it stands as one of the best universities in the UK.

University of Glasgow Rankings 2025-26

University rankings provide crucial information about an institution's strengths, helping you align your best career options after graduation with the right institution.

The University of Glasgow ranks #20 in Best Global Universities in Europe in the US News Rankings, securing a strong position as one of the leading public universities in the UK. This ranking highlights its consistent academic performance and global recognition. 

Here are the overall University of Glasgow rankings across key global ranking bodies for the years 2024 to 2026:

Ranking Body	2024 Rank	2025 Rank	2026 Rank
QS World University Rankings	#76	#78	#79
Times Higher Education Rankings	#87	#87	N/A
U.S. News and World Report Rankings	NA	#62	NA

The University of Glasgow has maintained a strong presence in global rankings, with a slight decline in the QS World University Rankings, moving from #76 in 2024 to #79 in 2026. 

In the Times Higher Education and US News rankings, the University maintains its position at #87 and #62, respectively, demonstrating consistency in its academic standing.

This consistent performance across various global rankings reflects the University of Glasgow's ability to adapt and sustain in an increasingly competitive academic environment.

Now, let’s explore how the university fares across individual subjects and specialized ranking systems.

Subject-wise Rankings of the University of Glasgow

When choosing a university, it’s crucial to understand how it ranks in the field that interests you most. The University of Glasgow excels in various subjects, securing top rankings in QS, THE, and U.S. News rankings. 

For example, its Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems program ranks #2 in the US News Rankings, while the English Language and Literature program is ranked #34 by QS Rankings.

Let's dive into how Glasgow performs across key academic disciplines.

QS Rankings

The University of Glasgow ranks highly across several key subjects in the QS World University Rankings, with impressive positions in Anatomy and Physiology (#13) and English Language and Literature (#34) for 2025. This makes it an excellent choice for students pursuing research-driven fields.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the University of Glasgow's top subjects in the QS rankings:

Subject	Ranking for 2025
Anatomy and Physiology	#13
English Language and Literature	#34
Veterinary Science	#22
Archaeology	#37
Life Sciences and Medicine	#42
History	#49

With strong rankings in veterinary science, life sciences, and medicine courses, the University of Glasgow remains a leader in medical studies. 

Now, let’s take a look at the University’s performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The University of Glasgow also excels in the Times Higher Education rankings, particularly in disciplines such as Psychology (#52) and Law (#44). This reflects the university's comprehensive academic offerings across both technical and non-technical fields.

Here are the top subjects for the University of Glasgow according to the 2025 THE rankings:

Subject	Ranking for 2025
Psychology	#52
Law	#44
Medical and Health	#50
Arts and Humanities	#56
Life Sciences	#77
Social Sciences	#91

Let's now explore how the University of Glasgow performs in U.S. News & World Report rankings.

U.S. News Rankings

The University of Glasgow’s position in the U.S. News rankings highlights its leadership in diverse fields, including Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (#2), Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health (#39), and Clinical Medicine (#37).

Here are the top-ranked subjects at the University of Glasgow in the 2025 U.S. News rankings:

Subject	Ranking for 2025
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems	#2
Endocrinology and Metabolism	#20
Clinical Medicine	#37
Microbiology	#49
Electrical and Electronic Engineering	#158
Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health	#39

Now, let’s look at the university’s miscellaneous rankings and accreditations in 2025.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

Researching and selecting a university involves more than just academics; elements like sustainability, diversity, and community engagement are also key factors in your decision-making process.

The University of Glasgow is not just about academic excellence. It is also a leader in sustainability, ranked in the world’s top 10 for three UN SDGs, namely Clean Water and Sanitation (#3), Responsible Consumption and Production (#10), and Life on Land (#10). 

It also ranks #19 globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, inspiring prospective students with its commitment to a better world. 

Here are some of the key rankings and accreditations for the University of Glasgow in 2025:

Ranking Agency/Accreditation	Ranking/Accreditation Description	Details
Times Higher Education Rankings	THE Impact Rankings 2025 (performance against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals)	Ranked #12
QS Rankings	QS Sustainability Rankings 2025	Ranked #19
US News Rankings	Best Global Universities in Europe 2025-2026	Ranked #20
AACSB Accreditation	Focuses on overall quality and constant improvement of degree programs.	Only 45 business schools in the UK are accredited.
AMBA Accreditation	Global standard for MBA, DBA, and Master's degrees.	Accredits the top 2% of business schools worldwide, including Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School.

These rankings highlight the University of Glasgow’s strong commitment to sustainability and academic excellence. 

While these top rankings can influence your University of Glasgow admission decision, it’s better to explore its significant achievements and see how these rankings translate into success. 

University of Glasgow: Excellence and Achievements

The University of Glasgow continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence through recent accolades and recognitions. It was named Scottish University of the Year by The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, highlighting its outstanding contributions to higher education in Scotland. 

Additionally, Glasgow received the Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion award at the 2024 THE Awards, highlighting its dedication to supporting an inclusive academic environment.

Below is a summary of some of the University of Glasgow’s recent achievements:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

The University of Glasgow continues to earn recognition for its academic excellence and impactful contributions. For instance, it was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work in cultural research and heritage preservation at the Centre for Robert Burns Studies. 

Here are some of the notable achievements in the academic field.

Category	Recognition
Cultural research and heritage preservation	Awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2024 for contributions to the Centre for Robert Burns Studies
Overall Academic Excellence	Ranked 87th globally in the THE World University Rankings 2025, maintaining a strong international presence
Research and Funding	Secured five European Research Council Advanced Grants, reflecting its strong research infrastructure and capacity to attract substantial funding

These recognitions highlight the university’s dedication to academic excellence and its positive impact on society. Let’s now explore its community and global initiatives.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

The University of Glasgow is making significant strides in community engagement and sustainability. In 2024, it awarded £66,000 (INR 77.3L) to 22 local groups to address food poverty and social isolation in Glasgow. 

Additionally, the university has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, with interim targets to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Below are some key initiatives and achievements that reflect its ongoing dedication to the community.

Category	Recognition/Initiative
Civic Grant Funds	£66,000 (INR 77.3L) awarded to 22 local Glasgow groups, focusing on food poverty and social isolation.
Sustainability Strategy	Aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030
Community Engagement	Received the Glasgow Changing Futures Award at the 2024 People and Excellence Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Awards for community engagement.
Global Migrant Support	Awarded the University of Sanctuary Status, providing a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers

These initiatives demonstrate the university’s commitment to social responsibility and global engagement. Now, let’s take a look at its cultural and creative achievements.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

The University of Glasgow's commitment to cultural and creative excellence is evident through its active engagement in the arts and its support for innovative initiatives. 

The university showcased student and alumni creativity through large-scale exhibitions at the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, a biennial event.

Here are some of the university’s notable initiatives and recognitions in the field of culture and creativity.

Category	Recognition
Exhibitions	Showcased student and alumni creativity through large-scale exhibitions at the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art
Cultural Initiatives	Recognized at the Creative Campus Awards 2025 for promoting student-led cultural initiatives
Alumni Engagement	Over 20,000 alumni attend annual events, strengthening the university’s cultural legacy

These initiatives help students make the most of their university experience. With these remarkable achievements, let’s now explore how the University of Glasgow’s rankings compare to its acceptance rate.

University of Glasgow: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

It’s essential to consider both global rankings and acceptance rates when evaluating universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Glasgow is placed among the top 100 universities worldwide. However, acceptance rates vary depending on the program and the applicant's background.

International students face acceptance rates between 60% and 70%, which is lower than that of domestic applicants. This is due to additional requirements such as English language proficiency level tests, visa requirements, and regulations.

Let's take a closer look at how the acceptance rates at the University of Glasgow align with their rankings.

Program	Rank 2025	Acceptance Rate
Business and Economics	#99 (THE)	Bachelor’s programs: 55-65% Master’s programs: 75-85% International students: 60-70%
Accounting and Finance	#72 (QS)
Computer Science	#151-175 (THE)
Arts and Humanities	#92 (US News)
Engineering	#176-200 (THE)
Physical Sciences	#151-175 (THE)
Social Sciences and Public Health	#102 (US News)

Each ranking is based upon a specific methodology. To properly understand Glasgow’s standing, let's simplify those parameters contributing to its global and national reputation.

Ranking Methodologies

University rankings can differ based on the criteria they emphasize. QS places 30% weightage on academic reputation, while Times Higher Education (THE) focuses 29.5% on teaching quality. U.S. News gives 15% weight to faculty resources and research.

Understanding these methodologies helps clarify the differences in performance across subjects and campuses at the University of Glasgow. 

Below is a summary of the key factors each ranking body prioritizes.

QS World University Rankings

QS ranks the University of Glasgow based on factors like research output, faculty quality, and global engagement. This evaluation highlights the university's position within global academic and professional networks.

Key metrics include academic and employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, research citations per faculty, and the percentage of international faculty and students.

The table below indicates the primary indicators used by QS to assess university performance

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%

Unlike the QS methodology, Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings uses a distinct set of indicators and evaluation criteria.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

THE evaluates universities by considering a mix of teaching quality, research capabilities, and global influence. It also takes into account industry income, highlighting the university's contributions to innovation and applied research.

For the University of Glasgow courses, this assessment includes recognition in teaching excellence, research impact, and international collaboration.

Below are the key factors used in THE’s evaluation:

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%

Next, let’s explore how U.S. News & World Report sources its rankings and where the university stands within its framework.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News ranks universities by focusing on student outcomes and overall institutional effectiveness. Key factors such as graduation rates, faculty qualifications, and available resources are central to its ranking methodology.

This approach is particularly important for public universities like the University of Glasgow, where affordability is a key consideration during the admissions process. 

The following breakdown highlights the primary factors that influence these rankings:

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Average 6-year graduation rate	16%
Average first-year retention rate	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	6%
Full-time faculty	2%
Student-faculty ratio	3%
Standardized tests (SAT/ACT/GMAT/GRE)	5%
Faculty Research	4%

All these methodologies emphasize the university's ongoing strengths in academics, student achievement, and overall institutional performance, reinforcing its strong standing among UK universities.

As we wrap up, let’s summarize how the University of Glasgow's rankings reflect its broader academic and social impact.

Wrapping up: University of Glasgow Ranking Analysis

The University of Glasgow maintains a strong global presence with solid rankings across major platforms in 2025. It ranks #79 in the QS World University Rankings, securing its position as one of the top universities in the UK and worldwide. 

The university also ranks #12 in the UK in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, highlighting its commitment to addressing global sustainability challenges and achieving a positive social impact. Additionally, it holds the #62 position in the U.S. News Best Global Universities ranking, reflecting its consistent academic and research excellence.

While the university has demonstrated strong performance across academic disciplines such as Physics (#63) and Law (#44), its focus on sustainability and student well-being further strengthens its standing. 

With a commitment to both academic and non-academic excellence, the University of Glasgow remains a top choice for students seeking high-quality education and a positive impact on society.