How does Cambridge rank in world league tables in 2025?

How does Cambridge rank in world league tables in 2025?

  • Two Cambridge students walking through Rose Crescent, central Cambridge, looking at shop windows while talking.
    Two Cambridge students walking through Rose Crescent, central Cambridge, looking at shop windows while talking.

40 Cambridge subjects have been ranked top 10 in the world by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. Elsewhere, Times Higher Education has placed Cambridge in the top 3 of world-class universities led by women.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject have released their rankings for this year. The rankings cover a total of 55 disciplines.

Research citations, along with the results of major global surveys of employers and academics, are used to rank universities.
 

Here is the full list of commended subjects:

Ranked #1

  • Archaeology
  • English Language & Literature
  • Marketing
  • Modern Languages

Ranked #3

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Anthropology
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering - Chemical 
  • Engineering - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing
  • Geography
  • History
  • Law

Ranked #4

  • Earth & Marine Sciences
  • Engineering - Electrical & Electronic
  • Linguistics
  • Materials Science
  • Mathematics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics & Operational Research
  • Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies

Ranked #5

  • Biological Sciences
  • Business & Management Studies
  • Classics & Ancient History
  • Education
  • Geology
  • Medicine
  • Physics & Astronomy
  • Social Policy & Administration 

Ranked #6

  • Accounting & Finance
  • Development Studies
  • Geophysics
  • Pharmacy & Pharmacology
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology

Ranked #7

  • Politics & International Studies

Ranked #8

  • Engineering - Civil & Structural

Ranked #9

  • Computer Science & Informational Systems
  • Environmental Sciences

Ranked #10

  • Communication & Media Studies
  • Economics & Econometrics

 

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 reveals that 55 of the top 200 academic institutions are currently led by women. This is an increase from the 50 universities led by women last year and now amounts to over a quarter of the top 200 universities in the world.

Cambridge places third in this latest edition of the rankings, recognising the achievements of Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice, who became the our 347th Vice-Chancellor on 1 July 2023.
 

Elsewhere, Time Higher Education also released their worldwide subject rankings, with Cambridge placed 5th overall.

Cambridge was in the top 10 of all 11 subject rankings, featuring in the top 3 for Arts and Humanities, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Medical and Health and Psychology.