ANU second among Australian universities for number of subjects in global top 20
ANU continues to showcase its global research and academic excellence in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Article by:
Peter Jean
Media and Communications Officer
The Australian National University (ANU) leads the nation in 11 academic subjects and only one other Australian university has more subjects in the global Top 20 of the competitive QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Nine academic subjects at the ANU were ranked in the global Top 20, compared to 11 at the first-placed University of Melbourne.
ANU had three subjects in the global Top 10 – more than any other Australian university.
The ANU was ranked in the global Top 20 for the following subjects:
• Philosophy (4th)
• Anthropology (9th)
• Archaeology (10th)
• Development Studies (14th)
• Politics & International Studies (14th)
• History (17th)
• Sociology (19th)
• Earth & Marine Sciences (20th)
• Geophysics (20th)
Among Australian universities, ANU was first in the broad field of Natural Sciences (ranked 36th globally) and first for 11 narrow subjects:
• Philosophy (4th globally)
• Anthropology (9th globally)
• Archaeology (10th globally)
• Development Studies (14th globally)
• Politics & International Studies (14th globally)
• History (17th globally)
• Earth & Marine Sciences (20th globally)
• Geophysics (20th globally)
• Social Policy and Administration (21st globally)
• Geology (24th globally)
• Physics and Astronomy (48th globally)
ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said the QS World University Rankings by Subject reflected the University’s global research and academic excellence.
“Almost uniquely among Australian universities, the ANU performs strongly across a range of humanities, arts and social sciences and STEM academic disciplines,’’ Professor Brown said.
“We have been consistently ranked among the top two per cent of universities worldwide. This is a celebration of the capability and commitment of our people to the quality and impact of our teaching and research, and to the experience of our staff and students.’’
The full results for 2026 can be found on the QS World University Rankings by Subject website.
Top image: The Australian National University campus. Photo: ANU
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