The prestigious QS World University Subject Rankings for 2021 have been released and I’m proud to say that the University of British Columbia continues to place among the best universities in the world.
We placed among the top 10 universities in the world in four subjects and among the top 50 in 46 subjects (see below).
The QS Subject Rankings demonstrates the breadth of excellence at UBC, as well as the strong reputation its academic programs have worldwide.
But it’s not only in the QS rankings that UBC does well. All the major ranking bodies consistently place UBC among the best universities in the world.
Of course, it’s challenging trying to reduce a large, complex university into a single number, but rankings do allow UBC to measure ourselves against our peers. They also allow us to reach wider audiences, including potential students and community and international stakeholders.
They provide insight into how outside audiences view UBC, and give us opportunities to self-reflect and consider our own benchmarking activities and priorities.
Our standing among the top universities in the world is thanks to you – the individual members of the UBC community – our students, staff and faculty members. I’m proud of UBC’s standing, and I’m proud of you.
QS World University Rankings By Subject 2021
| Subject | Ranking |
| Accounting & Finance | 43 |
| Agriculture & Forestry | 17 |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 17 |
| Anthropology | 23 |
| Archaeology | 30 (tied) |
| Architecture / Built Environment | 30 |
| Arts & Humanities | 20 |
| Biological Sciences | 33 (tied) |
| Business & Management Studies | 45 (tied) |
| Chemistry | 38 |
| Communication & Media Studies | 48 (tied) |
| Computer Science & Information Systems | 25 |
| Dentistry | 36 |
| Development Studies | 29 |
| Earth & Marine Sciences | 11 |
| Economics & Econometrics | 23 |
| Education | 10 |
| Engineering – Civil & Structural | 25 (tied) |
| Engineering – Electrical & Electronic | 34 |
| Engineering – Mineral & Mining | 9 |
| Engineering & Technology | 32 |
| English Language & Literature | 16 |
| Environmental Sciences | 12 |
| Geography | 8 |
| Geology | 13 |
| Geophysics | 13 |
| History | 24 (tied) |
| Law | 42 |
| Library & Information Management | 7 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | 29 |
| Linguistics | 12 |
| Mathematics | 21 (tied) |
| Medicine | 31 |
| Modern Languages | 45 |
| Natural Sciences | 23 (tied) |
| Nursing | 27 (tied) |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | 26 (tied) |
| Physics & Astronomy | 49 |
| Politics & International Studies | 43 |
| Psychology | 16 (tied) |
| Social Policy & Administration | 43 |
| Social Sciences & Management | 18 |
| Sociology | 32 |
| Sports-related Subjects | 4 |
| Statistics & Operational Research | 37 |
| Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies | 43 |