The University of Alberta demonstrated its excellence in a broad range of disciplines in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, with four subjects — Petroleum Engineering, Mineral and Mining Engineering, Sports-Related Subjects and Nursing — placing among the Top 20 globally.
The U of A also had 18 specific subjects ranked in the Top 100 internationally, 11 of which improved on their standing in last year's rankings. The university also ranked among the world's Top 100 in the broader subject area of Life Sciences and Medicine, finishing in a tie for 86th place.
"Our performance in the latest QS subject rankings reflects the strategic steps we are taking to deliver transformational impact through education, research and engagement," says U of A president and vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan.
"The wide range of subjects in which we excel at the global level is a reflection not only of the breadth and depth of expertise across our university, but also of how we are bringing together that expertise through interdisciplinary collaboration."
More than 1,700 institutions around the world were considered in the influential rankings this year.
Engineering a better future
Petroleum Engineering was ranked second in the world, a new best for the university. This follows an upward trajectory over the past five years, with the U of A climbing steadily from 9th in 2021 to 4th in 2024. With the only accredited BSc petroleum engineering degree program in Canada, the U of A plays a vital role in training Canadian engineers with expertise in this area of the field. The university also placed 16th in the world in Mineral and Mining Engineering.
The faculty has several programs aimed at setting up students for success. The Bridge2ENGG program helps first-year students enter the faculty with confidence, while the fem+ mentorship program is designed to spark a passion for the field among women, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ high school students. There are also abundant experiential learning opportunities that allow engineering students to broaden their skill sets and get hands-on experience in their chosen disciplines.
Researchers in the faculty are using innovative technology and expertise to lead projects such as a portable tool for testing soil samples in the field and AI-powered smart prosthetic limbs.
Propelling sports research forward
The U of A was ranked 10th in Sports-Related Subjects in 2025, improving on its 19th-place ranking in 2023 and 15th in 2024. Housed in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, whose vision is to see that "the power of physical activity and leisure to improve well-being is fully realized in Alberta, Canada and globally," researchers are exploring how our movements influence our decisions, how to make digital reconstructions of bones, and how wearing a mask affects us during exercise.
"Our faculty's ranking in the top 10 globally for sports-related subjects reflects our continued commitment to excellence in education, research and community impact," says Kyra Pyke, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. "Over the past three years, our ranking has steadily improved, aligning with the strength and momentum of our programs. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, students and staff who push the boundaries of knowledge and practice in kinesiology, sport, and recreation."
Areas of expertise include adapted physical activity, health psychology, neuroscience and movement, sport psychology, physiology, and recreation, sport and tourism. Both undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities to gain valuable insights and experiences by participating in research.
High-calibre nursing education, care for all
The U of A was ranked 14th internationally in Nursing, reflecting a history of excellence for a program that has consistently ranked among the Top 20 in the world and the Top 2 in Canada in the QS subject rankings since 2020, along with taking top spot in the national Maclean's rankings for the last two years.
One of only six nursing faculties in Canada offering a full range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the Faculty of Nursing also had Alberta's first graduate program in nursing, introduced in 1975. It continues to be a leader in preparing the next generation of nurses to contribute extensive skills and expertise in their future careers.
"Our nursing program is consistently recognized as a national and global leader. Rankings evolve over time, reflecting our ongoing growth, dedication and innovation," says Shannon Scott, dean of the Faculty of Nursing. "We remain proud of our faculty's commitment to excellence in research, education and clinical practice."
Research areas of excellence include women's and children's health, healthy aging, health equity and health systems, global health and migration, and mental health. The faculty is also committed to ensuring everyone has access to proper health care no matter where they live, with a focus on rural health that includes rural preceptorships and a concerted effort to address the critical shortage of rural nurses by increasing enrolment and placements in communities.
Subjects in the Top 100
Subjects ranked in the Top 50 in the world include Pharmacy and Pharmacology (tied for 38th) and Anatomy and Physiology (41st). Within the Top 100 are Agriculture and Forestry (69th), Chemical Engineering (tied for 70th), Education (78th), Environmental Sciences (78th), Medicine (tied for 86th), Linguistics (93rd), and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (tied for 98th), with Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Earth and Marine Studies, Geology, and Geophysics all placing in the 51-100 range.
The competitive annual QS rankings are compiled using a methodology that considers several factors including student experience, university partnerships, research activity and faculty qualifications. In the latest overall QS rankings, the U of A was ranked 96th globally and fourth in Canada.
