The University of Manchester has been recognised for the strength and breadth of its subject-level performance in the 2026 ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
The University of Manchester has been recognised for the strength and breadth of its subject-level performance in the 2026 ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
The results reflect the depth of Manchester's impact across a wide range of disciplines. Ten subjects are ranked among the top 50 worldwide, including five in the global top 25 across each of the University's faculties. Geography remains in the world top 10, while Dentistry and Oral Sciences is ranked 13th, Physics 16th, Metallurgical Engineering 18th and Textile Science and Engineering 25th.
Completing the University's global top 50 subjects are Biotechnology, ranked 29th, Mechanical Engineering 40th, Sociology 46th, Library and Information Science 48th and Political Sciences 50th.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: "These results are a welcome recognition of the quality and reach of academic work taking place across The University of Manchester, with top 25 subjects spanning all three faculties.
"Rankings don't measure everything we value, but are useful tools for reflecting on where progress is being made and where further work is needed, particularly in an increasingly competitive global higher education environment. The real value lies in using that insight to drive meaningful improvements in research, teaching and innovation, helping us deliver on our ambitious strategy - Manchester 2035"
Several subjects have climbed the table in this year's rankings. Sociology returned to the global top 50, rising from the 101-150 band to 46th. Textile Science and Engineering moved from 30th to 25th, while Biotechnology rose from 33rd to 29th. Mechanical Engineering improved from 43rd to 40th.
Other areas also recorded progress. Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence and Psychology all saw substantial gains in the rankings, while Civil Engineering and Communication also improved.
The longer-term picture shows sustained momentum in several disciplines. Biotechnology has moved from the 151-200 band in 2023 to 36th in 2024, 33rd in 2025 and 29th this year. Mechanical Engineering has progressed from 76-100 in 2023 to 40th in 2026. Mathematics has improved in each ranking since 2023, moving from 151-200 to 51-75.
The University is now ranked in 49 subject areas, compared with 48 in 2025 and 43 in 2023. The results span disciplines across Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences and Social Sciences, reflecting the breadth of activity taking place across Manchester.
ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects assesses universities across 57 subjects using nine objective indicators covering faculty, research output, research quality, impact and international collaboration.
Each year, the ranking includes subjects from approximately 2,000 universities across some 100 countries and regions.
