Linguistics at Lancaster University has been ranked second in the world with ten other subjects in the world top 100, according to new rankings released today.
English Language and Literature also gained a coveted top 50 position at 39th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Updated each year, the QS subject rankings are based on analysis of the reputation and research output of 6,273 institutions around the globe.
From this group, 1,908 were ranked across 55 narrow subjects and five broad subject areas, creating more than 21,000 entries.
Linguistics at Lancaster has consistently been a high performer in global and national league tables and the University has been at the forefront of Linguistics teaching and research for decades.
The pioneering team's work spans vast areas from improving how we talk about marginalised groups and protecting people from online abuse to transforming how we test for language proficiency, document the UK's many distinctive dialects and evaluate the impact of AI.
Their work makes a difference in learning, communication and within society.
The full list of high performers taking top 100 positions at Lancaster is:
- Linguistics (second)
- English Language and Literature (39th)
- Sociology (joint 59th)
- Modern Languages (71st)
- Environmental Science (joint 83rd)
- Accounting and Finance (84th)
- Education (joint 84th)
- Business and Management Studies (96th)
- Geography (51st to 100th)
- Marketing (51st to 100th)
- Statistics and Operational Research (51st to 100th)
Arts and Humanities, a 'broad subject area' at Lancaster University, is ranked joint 83rd in the world.
Speaking about the success of Linguistics at Lancaster University, Discipline Lead Professor Luke Harding said: "Linguistics at Lancaster has always had a strong applied as well as theoretical orientation, and this ranking demonstrates that our research is widely recognised and valued internationally.
"It also shows that our graduates are highly sought after by employers both locally and around the world. It is further evidence that Lancaster, the North of England, and the UK as a whole offer a thriving environment for the study of linguistics in all its many varieties.
"I thank my colleagues in Linguistics and English Language not only for their ongoing hard work and dedication, but also for the supportive and inspiring culture of scholarship that they create."
Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent said: "Lancaster University researchers are tackling some of the world's most challenging and urgent research questions every day improving lives both here in Lancashire and around the globe.
"It is enormously encouraging to see Linguistics recognised among the best in the world and ten other subjects in the world top 100. We are proud of all the achievements of all our staff and students. This is well-deserved recognition of their excellence and dedication."
The QS World University Rankings by Subject use a set of indicators with variable weights. Not every indicator is used across all subjects. Individual subjects are scored according to their performance in areas including: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations per Paper, 'H-Index' (which quantifies a researcher's scholarly output and influence by tallying their most-cited works and the corresponding citation count) and International Research Network (IRN) which assesses an institution's global engagement.
