The University of Alberta’s growing international strength across a range of disciplines has been recognized in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, released today, with four subjects — Petroleum Engineering, Mineral and Mining Engineering, Sports-Related Subjects, and Nursing — placing among the Top 10 globally.
The university doubled the number of its Top 10 subjects in this year’s rankings, and had 21 individual subjects ranked among the global Top 100, up from 18 last year. The university also ranked among the world’s Top 100 and fifth in Canada in two broader subject areas: Life Sciences and Medicine (tied for 93rd), and Natural Sciences (98th).
“Our strong performance in these rankings makes it clear that the University of Alberta’s top-tier education and research is encompassing an ever-wider array of subjects,” says U of A president and vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan.
“This recognition reflects our intentional and collaborative efforts to make this university a place that is known for its transformational impact — not only here in Alberta, but also across Canada and around the world.”
More than 1,700 institutions were considered in the prominent rankings this year.
Engineering expertise
Petroleum Engineering was ranked third in the world and first in Canada. With the only accredited BSc petroleum engineering degree program in Canada, the U of A plays a pivotal role in training Canadian engineers in this area. The university also placed 10th in the world and third in Canada in Mineral and Mining Engineering, a six-place improvement over last year’s global ranking.
“These rankings reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence and the incredible talent within our faculty and student body,” says Simaan AbouRizk, dean of the Faculty of Engineering. “Being recognized as a global leader in petroleum and mining engineering validates our mission to provide world-class education that directly addresses the evolving needs of the energy sector.”
AbouRizk cites the U of A’s location in the heart of Western Canada’s energy and resource industries, strong connections with those and numerous other industries, and abundant work placement and experiential learning opportunities as reasons for the programs’ high rankings internationally.
Last year, an investment from Cenovus Energy boosted opportunities for first-year engineering students to receive tutoring and academic support from graduate students, setting them up for success during and after their time at the U of A. More recently, a partnership with the City of Edmonton and Diesel Tech Industries is giving students a chance to contribute to reducing city vehicle emissions in Edmonton and potentially across Canada by integrating hydrogen fuel into combustion engines.
Moving ahead in the science of sport
The U of A was ranked seventh globally and third nationally in Sports-Related Subjects in 2026, continuing a steady rise from 10th in the world last year and 15th in 2024.
Researchers based in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation are exploring areas such as safe measurement of peak athletic performance, the role of exercise in treating cancer and preventing postpartum pelvic floor problems, and the value of continuing participation in contact sports during pregnancy.
“This ranking reflects the outstanding research, teaching and collaboration taking place across our faculty,” says Kyra Pyke, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. “It recognizes our faculty’s long-standing leadership in advancing access to physical activity and leisure to improve health and quality of life.”
Pyke notes that a strength of the faculty is its expertise across a wide range of areas, from sociocultural studies to neuroscience and exercise physiology, with exciting opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research.
Nursing excellence
The U of A was ranked ninth in the world and second in Canada in Nursing, up from 14th in the world last year and continuing a streak of Top 20 showings in the QS subject rankings since 2020.
An established leader in teaching, research and practice in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Nursing introduced Alberta’s first graduate program in nursing in 1975 and continues to lead the way in preparing the next generation of nurses to help transform the health and well-being of Albertans, Canadians and people around the world.
“Our continued presence among the world’s top nursing programs reflects both our long-standing leadership and the momentum we are building across our faculty,” says Shannon Scott, dean of the Faculty of Nursing. “We are proud to be recognized globally for advancing nursing education, research and practice, and for preparing nurses who are transforming health and well-being in Alberta and beyond.”
Research areas of excellence include women’s health, children’s health, healthy aging, and improving mental health support for patients and people living with dementia. Researchers in the faculty are also co-leading an innovative collaboration on harnessing AI to improve access to health care.
The faculty is also deeply involved in community-level work to ensure everyone has access to proper health care, no matter where they live, with an emphasis on rural health that includes rural preceptorships.
More subjects in the global Top 100
Other U of A subjects ranked in the Top 50 in the world include Pharmacy and Pharmacology (42nd, fourth in Canada) and Agriculture and Forestry (43rd, second in Canada).
A further 15 subjects ranked within the global Top 100:
- English (65th, fourth in Canada)
- Education (73rd, fourth in Canada)
- Linguistics (76th, fourth in Canada)
- Chemical Engineering (78th, fourth in Canada)
- Environmental Sciences (88th, fourth in Canada)
- Chemistry (95th, fourth in Canada)
- Medicine (99th, sixth in Canada)
- Anatomy and Physiology (87th, seventh in Canada)
- Civil Engineering (80th, fifth in Canada)
- Dentistry (73rd, second in Canada)
- Geology (66th, fourth in Canada)
- Geophysics (69th, fourth in Canada)
- Earth and Marine Sciences (63rd, fourth in Canada)
- Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (80th, fourth in Canada)
- Veterinary Science (81st, fourth in Canada)
The QS World University Rankings by Subject are based on five indicators of excellence, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and influence, and international research partnerships.