6 PH schools join Times Higher Education World University 2026 subject rankings

Six Philippine universities entered the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject for 2026 released on Wednesday.

The University of the Philippines, the Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University joined the 601-800 band in arts and humanities. In business and economics, UP placed within the 801-1000 bracket, while DLSU entered the 1001+ band. 

In computer science, Mapua University landed in the 801-1000 band, while UP and DLSU placed within the 1001+ category.

UP and DLSU were listed in the 401-500 band, while the University of Santo Tomas was included in the 501-600 category in education studies.

Mapua, DLSU, and UP appeared in the 1251+ category in engineering.

In life sciences, both UP and UST belonged to the 801-1000 category.

In medical and health, UP occupied the 501-600 band, while UST placed within the 601-800 bracket.

In physical sciences, the rankings of Philippine universities are the following: 1001-1250 (Mapua), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (1001-1250), Ateneo (1251+), DLSU (1251+), and UP (1251+).

In psychology, DLSU placed within the 401-500 band, followed by Ateneo, and UP (both in the 501-600 range).

In social sciences, Ateneo, DLSU, Mapua, and UP belonged to the 801-1000 bracket, while UST placed within the 1001+ category.

No Philippine university made the ranks in law.  

Of the 11 subjects assessed, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) led the rankings in arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences. Stanford University placed first in education and law, Harvard University in engineering and life sciences, and the California Institute of Technology in physical sciences.

The University of Oxford ranked highest in computer science and medical and health fields, while the University of Cambridge secured the top position in psychology. 

The 2026 subject rankings assess universities based on five performance pillars—teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income, and international outlook—with weightings adjusted depending on the academic field. While the rankings draw from data used in THE’s overall university assessments, institutions are evaluated specifically within each discipline, THE said.

THE said its subject rankings aim to provide students, academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders with a clearer picture of discipline-level strengths, particularly as universities worldwide diversify their academic focus and research output. —VBL, GMA Integrated News