10 Ukrainian universities were included in the QS World University Rankings 2026, which includes more than 1,500 universities from all over the world.
Which Ukrainian higher education institutions are included in the ranking of the best universities in the world in 2026 and which countries of the world are among the leaders – read in the material of ICTV Facts.
What is known about the ranking of the best universities in the world 2026
The British ranking agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has published the ranking of the best universities in the world for 2026 – QS World University Rankings 2026 .
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The research began in September and the data was released in June.
It includes 1,501 higher education institutions from more than 100 countries, including 10 higher education institutions from Ukraine.
According to the QS World University Rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is ranked first among universities in the world.
In particular, among the leaders of the ranking of the best universities in the world in 2026 are:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA – scored the maximum 100 points;
- Imperial College London, UK – 99.4;
- Stanford University, USA — 98.9;
- University of Oxford, UK – 97.9;
- Harvard University, USA — 97.7;
- University of Cambridge, UK – 97.2;
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland (ETH Zurich) – 96.7;
- National University of Singapore (NUS) – 95.9;
- University College London, UK (UCL) – 95.8;
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA — 94.3.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 also included: University of Hong Kong, University of Chicago, Peking University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Tsinghua University, University of California, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and Yale University.
In particular, the top twenty included 9 American universities, 4 British, 2 Chinese and 2 Australian.
Which Ukrainian universities were included in the ranking of the best universities in the world in 2026
The highest position among Ukrainian universities was taken by the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv . It was located between 721 and 730 lines.
In second place is Karazin Kharkiv National University . It is between 781 and 790 positions.
The National Technical University of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute named after Igor Sikorsky took third place, ranking between 801 and 850.
Also among the best universities we can highlight:
- National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute;
- National University Lviv Polytechnic;
- Sumy State University;
- National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy;
- Odessa National University named after I. I. Mechnikov;
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv;
- Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics.
World University Rankings 2026: Key Trends
Compared to previous years' rankings, the top ten has remained relatively stable, with the exception of Stanford University. Thanks to improvements in sustainability and the number of international faculty, Stanford moved up from 6th to 3rd place.
In 2025, the results of world rankings showed an increase in the role of Asian universities, as 565 universities from this region were included in the list. As noted by QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter, this trend indicates a change in the global focus in higher education. Asian countries continue to actively invest in science, international cooperation and sustainable development strategies for the education sector.
The most notable growth was demonstrated by Malaysia's Sunway University, which rose 120 positions in the rankings over the year.
Indian institutions also showed an improvement in their rankings (41%), while only 20% lost their places. Although China and Germany also had a high percentage of growth, they also had a higher rate of decline, which highlights India's stability and progress.
In Hong Kong, five of nine universities made it into the top 10, and four of them moved up in the rankings. In the UAE, all institutions that improved their rankings moved up at least five places.
In particular, in 2025, the United States remains the leader in the number of universities represented – 192 institutions. Among the top hundred, 11 American universities improved their results.
Source: QS, Osvitoria
