Times Higher Education (THE) has unveiled its World University Rankings by Subject for 2026, highlighting the impressive standings of UK universities in the realm of computer science. Following its general global rankings released in October, where the University of Oxford took the top spot alongside the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London in the top ten, the latest subject-specific rankings further underscore the academic strength of British institutions.
In a significant achievement, the University of Oxford has been designated as the world leader for computer science education, achieving an outstanding overall score of 97.7 out of 100. The university excelled particularly in research quality with a score of 98.8, and nearly perfect scores in teaching (99.9) and research environment (98.2). The rankings assessed over 1,100 universities globally, utilizing 18 performance indicators that encompass aspects such as teaching reputation, research quality, and international student outlook.
Following closely behind is the University of Cambridge, which secured a commendable score of 97.1. Notably, Cambridge outperformed Oxford in the categories of ‘industry’ and ‘research environment’, reflecting its robust capability in supporting and innovating within the computer science sector.
Beyond computer science, Oxford maintained its strong presence across various fields, consistently ranking within the top ten. It was recognized as the leading institution for medicine, secured second place in engineering and social sciences, third in education studies, fourth in arts and humanities along with business and economics, fifth in life sciences and law, and eighth in physical sciences.
These rankings not only showcase the prestige of UK universities but also reinforce their substantial contributions to academic research and education. As industry demands continue to evolve, Britain’s leading institutions are well-positioned to provide top-notch education in critical fields like computer science. This recognition is a testament to their commitment to academic excellence and positive impact on the global education landscape.