Pakistan’s higher education sector continues to gain global recognition, with multiple universities achieving positions in the latest international rankings across engineering, business, sciences, social sciences, and other disciplines. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026 highlight Pakistani institutions’ progress in research, teaching quality, innovation, and academic reputation. These rankings evaluate universities based on research output, international collaboration, industry impact, and overall academic performance.
In the field of business and economics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore University of Management Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, and Quaid-i-Azam University are ranked between 401 and 500, while Iqra University, Sukkur IBA University, and University of Management and Technology fall in the 501–600 range. Air University, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahria University, Government College University Faisalabad, International Islamic University Islamabad, Riphah International University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Central Punjab, University of Lahore, and University of the Punjab are positioned between 601 and 800, with University of Education Lahore ranked 801–1000.
In computer science, National University of Sciences and Technology and University of Engineering and Technology Taxila are ranked 401–500, while Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Air University, COMSATS University Islamabad, and Quaid-i-Azam University are in the 501–600 range. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Government College University Faisalabad, International Islamic University Islamabad, Riphah International University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, University of Management and Technology, and University of the Punjab are ranked 601–800. Bahria University, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, and University of Lahore are ranked 801–1000.
In education studies, the University of the Punjab is placed in the 401–500 category, while Sukkur IBA University is in the 601–800 range. Engineering rankings feature Capital University of Science and Technology, Lahore University of Management Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Riphah International University, Sukkur IBA University, University of Gujrat, University of Management and Technology, and University of the Punjab in the 501–600 range. Bahria University, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, International Islamic University Islamabad, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, University of Central Punjab, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, University of Lahore, and University of Sargodha are positioned between 601–800, with Mirpur University of Science and Technology, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, and University of Engineering and Technology Lahore in the 801–1000 range. Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Institute of Space Technology, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, and National Textile University fall between 1001–1250, while NED University of Engineering and Technology is ranked 1251 and above.
Life sciences rankings show The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Lahore, and University of Malakand in the 401–500 range. Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Bahauddin Zakariya University, The University of Haripur, and University of Gujrat are ranked 501–600. Government College University Lahore, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Lahore College for Women University, MNS University of Agriculture Multan, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, University of Central Punjab, University of Education Lahore, University of Management and Technology, University of Okara, University of Peshawar, University of Sargodha, and University of the Punjab are positioned between 601–800. Hazara University Mansehra, Riphah International University, and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore are in the 801–1000 range, while National University of Medical Sciences and University of Karachi are ranked 1001 and above.
In medical and health subjects, University of Lahore and University of Management and Technology are ranked 401–500. Bahauddin Zakariya University, Government College University Faisalabad, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and University of Sargodha are in the 501–600 range. The University of Haripur is placed 601–800, with Riphah International University and University of Karachi ranked 801–1000. Bahria University, Dow University of Health Sciences, and National University of Medical Sciences are positioned 1001 and above.
Physical sciences rankings feature University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, University of Lahore, University of Management and Technology, University of Okara, University of Peshawar, and University of the Punjab in the 501–600 range. Government College University Lahore, Hazara University Mansehra, International Islamic University Islamabad, Sukkur IBA University, The University of Haripur, University of Central Punjab, University of Gujrat, and University of Sargodha fall in the 601–800 range. Institute of Space Technology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, National Textile University, University of Education Lahore, and University of Engineering and Technology Lahore are ranked 801–1000. Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and Lahore College for Women University are placed 1001–1250, while NED University of Engineering and Technology and University of Karachi rank 1251 and above.
In psychology, the University of the Punjab is ranked 401–500. Social sciences rankings place National University of Sciences and Technology in the 401–500 category. Quaid-i-Azam University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Central Punjab, University of Lahore, and University of the Punjab are ranked 501–600. Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahria University, Government College University Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, University of Management and Technology, and University of Peshawar are positioned 601–800. International Islamic University Islamabad and University of Sargodha are ranked 801–1000. No Pakistani university is listed in law or arts and humanities categories.
The World University Rankings by Subject 2026 assess 11 major fields across 148 disciplines, using 18 indicators covering teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. While Pakistani universities show steady improvement, US and UK institutions continue to dominate top positions. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences. Harvard University tops engineering and life sciences, University of Oxford ranks first in medical and health and computer science, Stanford University leads in education studies and law, Caltech dominates physical sciences, and the University of Cambridge is ranked first in psychology.
