McGill University is Canada’s top university, according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings. Worldwide, it placed 27th out of 1,500 universities ranked, putting it in the top two per cent of institutions globally.
Recognized for its academic excellence, groundbreaking research and vibrant international community, McGill has been a leader year after year. This marks the fourth consecutive year McGill has moved up in the QS rankings.
“McGill’s continued presence among the world’s top universities reflects the strength and resilience of our entire community – students, faculty, staff, and our alumni and friends,” said Deep Saini, McGill President and Vice-Chancellor. “Achieving this distinction, despite the many challenges facing higher education today, underscores the vitality of our academic mission, the remarkable talent we attract and the enduring, transformative impact of our teaching and research.”
Rated high in sustainability, academic reputation and employment outcomes
The QS evaluation considers nine metrics, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, sustainability, international faculty and student ratios, employment outcomes and global research collaborations. This year, QS evaluated almost 8,500 institutions around the world to determine the final rankings.
McGill rated in the top 100 globally in four categories: 15th in sustainability, 27th in employment outcomes, 35th in academic reputation and 58th in employer reputation. These strong showings reflect the University’s commitment to addressing global challenges while preparing graduates to thrive.
Consistent excellence in changing times
McGill’s consistency continues to be reflected in other international rankings, reinforcing the University’s leadership in higher education in Canada and abroad, and its ability to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of global academia, marked by shifting funding models, evolving student needs and increased international competition.
Earlier this month, the University placed 27th in the Center for World University Rankings, marking the sixth consecutive year McGill has placed in the top 30.
In February, McGill University ranked 44th in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025. The University has placed in the global top 50 every year since the rankings’ inception in 2011.
In QS’s World University Rankings by Subject, released in March, 29 subjects taught at McGill made QS’s top 50 list. McGill ranked third in Engineering – Mineral and Mining, the ninth consecutive year in the global top 10 for McGill in the category.
This past fall, McGill was rated Canada’s pre-eminent medical doctoral university by Maclean’s Magazine for a remarkable 20th consecutive year.
