We’ve achieved our best-ever result in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with 22 disciplines in the global top 100 in 2026.

For our School of Pharmacy, which is marking its centenary this year, the results bring further grounds for celebration with renewed recognition as among the very best in the world. Ranking 8th for the discipline of Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, this year’s results confirm the University of Nottingham as one of the UK’s leading centres for pharmaceutical and pharmalogical science and training, continuing a 100-year legacy of excellence in pharmacy education, research and innovation.

Nottingham achieves best-ever result in QS World University Rankings by Subject

QS analyses the reputation and research output of more than 6,270 institutions worldwide, assessing academic reputation, employer reputation and research visibility and global engagement.

Professor Barrie Kellam, Head of the School of Pharmacy, said: “Being ranked in the global top 10 in the very year we mark our centenary is a remarkable moment for the School. It speaks to a century of hard work, curiosity and commitment, and to the impact our staff, students and alumni are making across the world as they improve health and push forward advances in pharmaceutical science.”

As the School of Pharmacy celebrates 100 years since its founding, its pioneering research – from creating new medicines, to advancing nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery, and even exploring pharmaceutical care in space – continues to drive the innovative teaching and real-world experience that prepare students to lead the future of health. In its centenary, the school remains at the vanguard of advances in Pharmacy education and practice, with its 2025-26 MPharm graduates the first to graduate to new General Pharmaceutical Council standards, meaning they will be independent prescribers when they qualify as pharmacists.  

22 subject areas in the global top 100 

With a total of 22 subject areas in the global top 100 this year, we have achieved our best-ever performance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. This includes significant increases for English Language and Literature and Material Sciences, with Linguistics and Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) both entering the world top 100. 

Professor Ben Ollivere and Professor Caitlin Milazzo, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellors for Academic Performance, said: “We are delighted that Pharmacy and Pharmacology has been recognised in the global top 10 by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. We have real strengths in health and are also proud to rank 68 in the world for the broad subject of Life Sciences and Medicine – with veterinary medicine, anatomy and nursing all in the top 100. Our congratulations and thanks also go to all the staff of the numerous schools, departments and faculties, whose dedication has helped secure a record number of top 100 subject placings in these strategically important rankings.” 

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject is the biggest yet, with 1,077 new institutions included this year in comparison to 2025. The University of Nottingham has 45 individual subjects ranked, with 22 featuring within the world top 100 as follows:  

Agriculture and Forestry = 77 

Anatomy and  Physiology = 51-100 

Architecture and Built Environment = 51-100

Chemistry =91 

Economics and  Econometrics =96 

Education =56 

Engineering – Chemical = 81 

Engineering – Civil and Structural = 51-100 

Engineering Electrical and Electronic = 97 

Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing = 66 

English Language and Literature = 58 

Geography = 51-100 

Law = 88 

Linguistics = 95 

Materials Science = 84 

Marketing = 51-100 

Medicine = 83 

Nursing = 51-100 

Pharmacy and Pharmacology = 8 

Psychology = 94 

Statistics and Operational Research = 51-100 

Veterinary Science = 39