From anthropology and artificial intelligence to performing arts and philosophy, McGill University offers some of the best and most diverse learning opportunities in the world, according to the latest World University Rankings by Subject, released March 12 by QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The University made QS’s Top 50 lists in 29 subjects; this, out of 55 subjects and more than 1,700 universities considered by the global higher education analyst.
McGill ranked third in Engineering – Mineral and Mining, up from fifth in 2024. This marks the ninth consecutive year in the global Top 10 for McGill in the category.
“With the increased focus on critical minerals and sustainable practices in mining worldwide, I believe our department’s prestigious QS ranking is an important recognition for the hard work of our professors with support from our technical and administrative staff,” said Richard Chromik, Chair of the Department of Mining and Materials Engineering. “This includes both cutting-edge research and excellence in training the next generation of future-ready mining and mineral engineers.”
50 subjects in global Top 100
Anatomy and Physiology was another top performer for McGill, climbing to a tie for fifth from seventh the year before. Music also moved up in the rankings, from 18th to 14th.
Ten subjects broke into the Top 30 this year, including Environmental Sciences (21st), Performing Arts (21st), Library and Information Management (22nd), Psychology (25th), Linguistics (26th), Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (27th), Education and Training (tied for 28th), Medicine (28th), Anthropology (tied for 30th) and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (30th).
In all, McGill had 50 subjects rank in the Top 100 worldwide.
Ranking more than 1,700 institutions
QS’s 2025 subject rankings provide independent comparative analysis on the performance of more than 18,300 individual university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world, across 55 academic disciplines.
QS uses five key metrics to compile the subject rankings. Reputation indicators are based on the responses of more than 240,000 employers and academics to QS surveys, while Citations per Paper and H-Index measure research impact and productivity. International Research Network (IRN) is used to assess cross-border research collaboration.
QS also assesses five broad faculty areas. For the second consecutive year, McGill rates in the global Top 50 across all five faculty areas. Life Sciences & Medicine was the University’s top performer, tied for 27th, followed by Arts & Humanities (tied for 36th); Social Sciences & Management (39th); Engineering & Technology (tied for 45th); and Natural Sciences (48th).
Consult the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.