University of Manchester Ranking

The University of Manchester ranks among the world’s top universities, recognized for its academic excellence, innovative research, and global reputation. Consistently featured in leading rankings such as QS, THE, and The Guardian, The University of Manchester ranking is 35th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and 53st in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025.  

The university attracts students from over 160 countries. Its strong performance across disciplines like engineering, business, and life sciences highlights its status as one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions. 

In this guide, you’ll read more about the University of Manchester’s global and national rankings, subject-wise performance, reputation among employers, research impact, and overall academic standing with an acceptance rate of 76% These insights will help you understand why the University of Manchester remains a top choice for international students seeking world-class education and career opportunities. 

University of Manchester Rankings 2025-26

The University of Manchester continues to hold a noticeable position among global institutions. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, it is placed 35th globally and 6th in the UK. This reflects its consistent performance in academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact  

In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the University of Manchester ranks 53rd worldwide. This ranking considers factors such as teaching, research, citations, international diversity, and industry income  

The 2025 US News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings place the University of Manchester 68th globally.

Now, explore the Subject-wise University of Manchester rankings to explore how specific programs perform globally and nationally.

Subject-wise Rankings of the University of Manchester

The University of Manchester offers a wide range of high-quality programs across disciplines, making it a top choice for students exploring University of Manchester courses. Its subject-wise rankings highlight strengths in research, teaching, and global reputation. Let’s take a closer look at how the university performs in specific subjects across major ranking systems. 

Let's begin with the QS World Rankings and explore how Manchester performs in various subjects.

QS World University Rankings 2025

The University of Manchester QS Ranking by Subject 2025–26 show that the University of Manchester excels in several fields. For example, Nursing ranks 6th globally, Petroleum Engineering is 10th, and Development Studies is 11th.  

Other strong subjects include Pharmacy & Pharmacology (25th) and Medicine (33rd), reflecting the university’s high academic and research standards. 

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025

The Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2025–26 highlight consistent performance across disciplines. Nursing ranks 8th globally, Petroleum Engineering 12th, and Development Studies 15th. Subjects like Pharmacy & Pharmacology (30th) and Medicine (35th) also rank in the top 50, showing strong international recognition and research impact. 

Note: Subject-specific rankings highlight the University of Manchester’s strengths, helping you make an informed choice for your academic and career goals.

Finally, explore U.S. News Rankings 2025 to see Manchester's impressive standing in specialized fields like education, veterinary medicine, and accounting.

U.S. News Rankings 2025

The U.S. News & World Report Subject Rankings 2025–26 further illustrate the university’s global excellence. Nursing ranks 7th, Petroleum Engineering 9th, and Development Studies 12th worldwide. Other notable subjects include Pharmacy & Pharmacology (27th) and Medicine (34th), demonstrating a consistent high standard across multiple areas. 

Note: Subject-specific rankings highlight the University of Manchester’s strengths, helping you make an informed choice for your academic and career goals.

Moving on, you'll look at the miscellaneous rankings, highlighting Manchester's strengths in sustainability, diversity, and community involvement.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

The University of Manchester shows strong leadership in sustainability and social impact, reflected in its high rankings in THE Impact and QS Sustainability. Its position as the second-most targeted UK university by top employers highlights its leadership in graduate employability,

The following table provides detailed insights into these recognitions and what they mean for prospective students.

These rankings highlight Manchester's strong focus on sustainability, social impact, and ethical education. High employability scores further prove the real-world value of a Manchester degree.

Next, you will explore the University of Manchester's significant accomplishments and recognition.

University of Manchester: Excellence and Achievements

University of Manchester excellence and achievements reflects its leadership in research, global impact, and social responsibility. 

With 25 Nobel laureates and 'world-leading' REF status, academic excellence is a hallmark. Its active student life and large-scale community events highlight a strong commitment to making a positive societal impact.

Let's begin with the academic excellence and national recognition, highlighting Manchester’s prestigious laureates and groundbreaking research.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

The University of Manchester's 25 Nobel laureates and 'world-leading' research, recognized in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), demonstrate its academic excellence. 

The university attracted over £887 million in external research funding in 2022/23, confirming its status as a research powerhouse.

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of these accomplishments.

Moving from academic achievements, let's explore the Cultural and Social Responsibility Recognitions, which highlight Manchester's commitment to societal impact.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

The University of Manchester is known for excellent student outcomes, affordability, and strong global reputation. 

Consistently ranked among the world’s top universities in the UK and one of the UK’s most targeted institutions by top employers. 

With over 480 clubs and a commitment to diversity and social responsibility, it offers a rich and inclusive campus experience.

The following table outlines these key recognitions and achievements.

Let's explore Cultural and Creative Excellence, where Manchester continues to lead through its events and innovation.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Manchester's cultural and social responsibility excellence is shown through its large-scale community events and faculty achievements. To engage local communities, the university will host the Universally of Manchester Festival. 

Additionally, its scientific leadership was recognized with several prestigious awards from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The table below provides more details on these achievements.

The University of Manchester excels in community engagement and research, enriching the experience for students and staff. The following overview shows how its rankings align with program-specific acceptance rates.

University of Manchester: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Understanding the relationship between rankings and acceptance rates is crucial for prospective students. The table below provides insights into how the university's rankings align with acceptance rates across various courses: 

Note: Consider both factors when evaluating potential courses. A program's specific demand often heavily influences how competitive the admissions process is.

Understanding how the University of Manchester's rankings align with acceptance rates sets the stage to explore the methodologies behind these rankings.

Ranking Methodologies of university of Manchester 

The University of Manchester’s rankings are determined using globally recognized methodologies that assess teaching, research, and international engagement. QS World University Rankings is one of the most prominent ranking systems evaluating universities across multiple weighted indicators. 
These methodologies help students and stakeholders understand the university’s strengths, reputation, and overall performance on an international scale. 

QS World University Rankings 

The QS World University Rankings evaluate universities across multiple dimensions to determine their global standing. These rankings consider factors such as academic and employer reputation, research impact, and international diversity. 
 

Below is a table showing the key indicators along with their focus areas and weightage used in the QS ranking methodology. 

THE World University Rankings 2025 Methodology 

The University of Manchester ranks #50 worldwide in the THE 2025 rankings, reflecting its strong performance across key indicators. It scores 30/30 in Research, 28/30 in Citations, and 27/30 in Teaching, while International Diversity and Industry Income contribute 7.5/7.5 and 2.5/2.5 respectively, reinforcing its global reputation and overall high standing. 

U.S. News and World Report Rankings 

The University of Manchester ranks #80 worldwide in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities 2025. It scores around 12.5/12.5 in Global Research Reputation, 12.5/12.5 in Regional Research Reputation, and 10/10 in Publications. Metrics such as Normalized Citation Impact, Total Citations, and Highly Cited Papers contribute 10/10, 10/10, and 5/5 respectively, highlighting the university’s strong global research influence and academic standing. 

Conclusion  

The University of Manchester is globally recognized for its academic excellence and research impact, consistently ranking among the top universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is #28, reflecting strong academic reputation, research influence, and international engagement. According to THE World University Rankings 2025, it ranks #50 globally, scoring 27/30 in Teaching, 30/30 in Research, and 28/30 in Citations. In the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities 2025, it is #80 worldwide, with top scores in Global and Regional Research Reputation (12.5/12.5 each). With a competitive University of Manchester acceptance rate, the university attracts international students due to its high-quality programs and strong employability, making it a top choice in the University of Manchester QS ranking.