University of Bath Ranking

Planning to study in the UK? Checking a university's global ranking is one of the most important first steps for Indian students. A high rank from a trusted source like QS or THE isn't just about prestige; it signals top-tier teaching quality, world-class research, and a degree that is respected by employers in India and globally. A strong ranking can also improve your chances of securing education loans and post-study work visas.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of the University of Bath's rankings for 2026. We have gathered the latest data from major international ranking systems—QS, THE, ARWU, and U.S. News—to help you evaluate its academic reputation, subject strengths, and performance trends over the last five years.

QS World University Ranking 2026 – University of Bath

The QS World University Rankings are one of the most-watched global rankings, and for good reason. They place a strong emphasis on academic and employer reputation, which are crucial factors for Indian students looking for both a quality education and excellent career prospects after graduation. The 2026 rankings show Bath's growing international standing.

Ranking System	Global Rank
QS World University Ranking 2026	#132

The University of Bath has achieved its highest-ever position in the QS rankings, climbing an impressive 18 places from the previous year. This places it firmly in the top 10% of all universities ranked globally. For an Indian student, this upward movement is a strong indicator of the university's increasing investment in research, teaching quality, and its growing reputation among international employers. This steady rise suggests a dynamic and evolving institution that is gaining more recognition on the world stage.

QS Ranking Trend (Last 5 Years)

A one-year jump is good, but a consistent trend tells a more powerful story. The table below shows how the University of Bath has performed in the QS World University Rankings over the last five years.

Year	QS Global Rank
2026	#132
2025	#150
2024	#148
2023	#179
2022	#166

The five-year trend shows a clear and positive trajectory. After a significant leap into the top 150 in 2024, the university has continued to climb, reaching its best rank yet in 2026. This consistent improvement is a testament to its strategic focus on key areas like research impact and employer reputation. For prospective students, this trend indicates that a degree from Bath is likely to become even more valuable in the coming years.

QS Subject Rankings 2025

While the overall university rank gives a great overview, subject-specific rankings are essential for making a final decision. It tells you how strong the university is in the specific field you plan to study. A university might be in the top 150 globally, but its rank for your chosen stream—like Computer Science or Business—could be even higher. The latest available subject-specific data from QS is for 2025.

Subject Area	QS World Rank 2025
Business & Management Studies	Top 150
Engineering and Technology	#186
Computer Science & Information Systems	Top 200
Architecture & Built Environment	#51-100
Marketing	#51-100
Psychology	#74

The University of Bath demonstrates exceptional strength in several areas highly popular with Indian students. Its programs in Architecture, Marketing, and Psychology are ranked within the global top 100, which is a mark of elite status. The Engineering and Technology faculty also holds a strong position in the top 200 worldwide. This data allows students to match their academic and career goals with a department that is a global leader in its field, ensuring access to top faculty, research opportunities, and specialised knowledge.

Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking 2025 – University of Bath

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings use a different methodology, with a greater focus on research quality, citations, and the teaching environment. This makes it a valuable complementary resource to QS. It helps you understand the university's research impact and academic environment more deeply. The latest available data from THE is for the 2025 cycle.

Ranking System	Global Rank
THE World University Ranking 2025	#251-300

The University of Bath consistently places in the top 300 universities globally according to Times Higher Education. While the rank band is broader than QS, it still signifies a high-quality institution with a strong international outlook and research influence. This performance confirms its status as a leading research-intensive university. For Indian students, especially those interested in postgraduate research (Master’s or PhD), this ranking underlines the university's capacity to provide a stimulating academic environment with access to cutting-edge research.

THE Global Ranking Trend (Last 5 Years)

Analysing the THE ranking trend provides another layer of insight into the university's global standing, particularly concerning its academic and research performance.

Year	THE Global Rank
2025	#251-300
2024	#251-300
2023	#251-300
2022	#201-250
2021	#201-250

The University of Bath has maintained a stable position in the THE rankings over the past few years, consistently staying within the 201-300 band. This stability indicates a mature and well-established institution with a solid international reputation for its teaching and research output. While it hasn't seen the sharp upward trend of the QS rankings, its consistent presence in this competitive bracket shows reliability and sustained quality, which are reassuring factors for any prospective student.

THE Subject Rankings 2024

Just like with QS, the THE subject rankings give a more granular view of the university's strengths. This is particularly useful for understanding the quality of specific departments. The latest available subject-specific data from THE is for 2024.

Subject Area	THE World Rank 2024
Business and Economics	#126-150
Engineering	#201-250
Computer Science	#301-400
Psychology	#101-125
Arts and Humanities	#201-250
Life Sciences	#251-300

THE rankings confirm Bath's excellence in Business and Economics, placing it in the top 150 globally. Its Psychology program is also highly rated, bordering on the top 100. This is a strong signal for students targeting these competitive fields. While the rank for Computer Science is in a lower band compared to other subjects, its overall Engineering faculty remains strong. This detailed breakdown helps you weigh the university's reputation in your specific area of interest against its overall institutional rank.

Other Global Rankings (ARWU, U.S. News)

To provide a truly holistic view, it's wise to look at other major international rankings like the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities. ARWU is heavily focused on research excellence and Nobel prizes, while U.S. News also measures global and regional research reputation.

Ranking System	Latest Global Rank	Year
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)	#301-400	2023
U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities	#432	2024

The University of Bath's performance across these different systems highlights its identity as a research-strong institution. Its position in the ARWU rankings, which prioritise hard research metrics, reinforces the quality of its academic output. The U.S. News ranking, while lower, uses a methodology that includes a wider range of indicators. The variance across QS, THE, and ARWU shows why it's important for students not to rely on a single ranking but to see the bigger picture.

Ranking Methodology Snapshot

Why do the ranks for the same university differ? It's because each system measures different things. Here’s a simple breakdown for Indian students:

• QS World University Rankings: This system is very balanced and might be the most relevant for students focused on career outcomes. It heavily weighs Academic Reputation (30%) and Employer Reputation (15%). It also considers the faculty-student ratio, research citations, and the proportion of international students and staff, which indicates a diverse and global environment.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: This system is more focused on the academic environment and research quality. It gives significant weight to Teaching (29.5%), Research Environment (29%), and Research Quality (30%), which includes citation impact. This is a great indicator for those prioritising research excellence and the quality of academic facilities.