A total of 48 universities from Pakistan have made it to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, out of 99 national institutions considered for evaluation. This marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s education sector, showcasing steady progress in global academic and research standards.
Quaid-i-Azam University has secured the top position among Pakistani institutions, ranking in the 401–500 range globally.
It is followed by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), COMSATS University Islamabad, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), which continue to maintain strong performances in teaching, research, and innovation.
The latest rankings reflect the growing global presence of Pakistani universities, especially in research quality, academic influence and international collaboration.
Several institutions have shown remarkable improvement in citation impact and partnerships with global universities, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing higher education standards.
Globally, the University of Oxford has once again claimed the top spot for the tenth consecutive year, maintaining its leadership in academic excellence.
Princeton University has risen to the second position, while China’s leading universities, including Tsinghua and Peking, continue to climb the rankings with strong performance in research and innovation.
The inclusion of 48 Pakistani universities in this year’s rankings highlights the country’s determination to strengthen its educational infrastructure and promote world-class learning environments.
It also shows that Pakistani institutions are gradually earning recognition on the international stage, contributing to the country’s academic reputation and research development goals.
