QS World University Ranking 2026 has been released. This ranking shows which universities of the world are considered the best for studies. It is definitely seen by students who are preparing for further studies. This year again Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been number one. The big change was that Imperial College London has reached number two. At the same time, Stanford University, who stood second last year, has come to third place this time.
Top 10 universities in the world-qs ranking 2026
According to QS World University Rankings 2026, the list of top 10 universities in the world is as follows:
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, United States
2. Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
3. Stanford University, Stanford, United States
4. Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
5. Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
6. Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
7. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Zurich, Switzerland
8. National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
9. University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
10. California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadeena, United States
MIT again number 1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has secured first position in the 2026 QS World University rankings. This university is especially famous for its excellent research in science, engineering and technology. Students and teachers from all over the world come here to study and research.
Imperial College London at number two
This year Imperial College London has reached second place. The reason for this is that the college has done excellent work on stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), new research and sustainability (sustainable development).
Stanford, Oxford and Harvard in Top 5
Stanford University is third in this year’s ranking. This university is known for partnership with Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence Research and the university around the world. Oxford University is at number four, one of the oldest and famous universities in the world. Harvard University is in fifth place, which is famous for law, business and medical education.
Cambridge, Zurich and Nus also ahead
Cambridge University is at number six and is famous for research in many subjects. Eth Zurich (Switzerland) is at seventh position, and is considered to be the finest science and engineering institute in Europe. The National University of Singapore (NUS) is at number eight, which shows that Asia is also moving fast in higher education.
UCL and Caltech include top 10
University College London (UCL) is at number 9 this year. This university is known for connecting research and students from all over the world. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) ranks 10th. It is a small but very special institution, especially famous for technology and applied science (applied science).
On what basis is this ranking?
QS World University ranking is based on many things, such as:
University’s academic reputation (how much is famous in studies and research)
Employer reputation (how much demand is in students’ jobs)
Faculty-Student Ratio (Balance of teachers and students)
Research work and quotes (what is the effect of research)
International diversity (how many foreign students and teachers are)
These grounds show which university is at the forefront of studies and research in the world. This ranking helps students, parents and teachers to choose the right university.
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