University of Southampton Ranking

For Indian students planning to study abroad, a university's ranking is a critical factor. It's not just a number; it reflects the institution's academic prestige, research quality, and global reputation, all of which are important for your career prospects back in India and worldwide. A top-ranked university often translates to better faculty, resources, and a stronger alumni network.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of the University of Southampton’s latest global and subject-wise rankings from trusted sources like QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and others. Our goal is to give you a clear, data-backed picture of the university's academic standing, helping you make a well-informed decision for your future.

QS World University Ranking 2026 – University of Southampton

The QS World University Rankings are one of the most-followed ranking systems by Indian students and employers globally. They emphasise academic and employer reputation, making them a strong indicator of a university's brand value. For a student from India, a high QS rank can significantly boost their profile.

The latest 2026 rankings show the University of Southampton's current global position, which is a key benchmark for its overall prestige.

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Southampton is positioned at #87 globally. While this represents a slight downward shift from its #80 position in 2025, it remains firmly within the world's top 100 universities. This Top-100 status is a powerful signal of quality and prestige for Indian students, assuring them of a high-calibre educational environment and a degree that is respected by employers worldwide.

QS Ranking Trend (Last 5 Years)

Analysing ranking trends is crucial. It tells you whether a university is on an upward, stable, or downward trajectory. This insight helps you understand the university's long-term strategic direction and investment in its academic quality.

Over the past five years, the University of Southampton has consistently maintained its position within the global top 90. Although the latest ranking shows a minor dip, its overall stability in the highly competitive top-tier bracket is a positive sign. This consistency indicates a robust and well-established academic institution, which is a safe and reliable choice for students investing significant time and money in their international education.

QS Subject Rankings 2024/2025 – Strengths for Indian Students

While the overall rank gives a broad view, subject-specific rankings are arguably more important for your study and career goals. For Indian students often focused on specific fields like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business, these rankings reveal where the University of Southampton truly excels.

Here are the latest available subject-wise rankings from QS, highlighting areas of strength relevant to Indian applicants.

The University of Southampton demonstrates world-class strength in Engineering and Technology, ranking within the top 100 globally. Its Electrical and Electronic Engineering program at #68 is particularly noteworthy and a major draw for aspiring engineers from India. Furthermore, its ranking of #9 in the world for Nursing makes it an elite choice for healthcare aspirants. The strong performance in Computer Science and Business also confirms its status as a comprehensive university with multiple fields of excellence, offering diverse opportunities for Indian students.

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

The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings offer a different perspective, with a greater focus on research volume, income, and reputation, as well as teaching environment. For Indian students interested in research-intensive Master's or PhD programs, the THE ranking is a vital tool for assessing a university's research prowess.

The University of Southampton secures the 115th spot in the THE World University Rankings 2025. This position is commendable, especially considering THE's heavy emphasis on research quality and international outlook—two areas where Southampton performs strongly. The university's high score in 'International Outlook' (96.7) is a testament to its global and diverse campus environment, a significant plus for Indian students seeking a truly international experience.

THE Global Ranking Trend (Last 5 Years)

Tracking the university's performance in the THE rankings provides another layer of insight into its academic and research trajectory.

The 5-year trend in the THE rankings reveals a positive trajectory for the University of Southampton. After climbing steadily from #127 in 2021 to a peak of #97 in 2024, the university has settled at #115 for 2025. This overall upward movement in recent years, particularly breaking into the top 100, indicates a successful focus on enhancing its research quality and impact.

THE Subject Rankings 2025 – Performance in Key Fields

For a more granular view, THE's subject rankings highlight the university's competitiveness in specific academic disciplines. These are crucial for aligning your choice with a department that is globally recognised.

The University of Southampton showcases strong, consistent performance across key subjects in the THE 2025 rankings. Ranking in the top 100 for Physical Sciences and Social Sciences, and in the top 125 for Engineering and Business, reinforces its reputation as a strong, research-led institution. This is particularly relevant for Indian students targeting postgraduate degrees, as it signals a high-quality research environment in these popular fields.

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

To provide a holistic view, it's wise to consider other major global rankings. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is heavily weighted towards research output and Nobel laureates, while the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities ranking also focuses on research and global reputation.

The University of Southampton's consistent placement in the top 200 of both the ARWU and U.S. News rankings further solidifies its status as a leading global university. Its position in the ARWU rankings, which prioritise hard research metrics, underscores its identity as a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities. For Indian students, this cross-system consistency is a mark of reliability and academic excellence.

Ranking Methodology Snapshot: What Do These Numbers Mean?

Understanding what each ranking system measures helps you interpret the data more effectively. Here’s a simple breakdown for Indian students:

• QS World University Rankings: Focuses heavily on reputation.
• Academic Reputation (30%): What other academics think of the university.
• Employer Reputation (15%): What major employers think of its graduates.
• Citations per Faculty (20%): Research impact.
• International Outlook (Faculty & Students Ratio): Diversity on campus.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: Focuses on the research and teaching environment.
• Research Quality (30%): Citations, research strength, and influence.
• Teaching (29.5%): Reputation, staff-to-student ratio.
• Research Environment (29%): Research reputation and income.
• International Outlook (7.5%): Global collaboration and diversity.

In simple terms, QS is useful for gauging a university's brand value and prestige, while THE is excellent for assessing its research intensity and academic environment.