QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: The University of Freiburg ranks among the top five universities in Germany in multiple subjects
Freiburg, 27/03/2026
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the University of Freiburg is ranked among the top five universities in Germany in six subjects. In total, it is featured in 28 subject rankings.
In this year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject, the University of Freiburg ranks among the top five universities in Germany in six subjects. Photo: Sandra Meyndt / University of Freiburg
The QS World University Rankings by Subject, compiled by the British company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), have been published. In this year’s rankings, the University of Freiburg has achieved several top positions: in six subjects, it ranks among the top five universities in Germany. In the subject of Dentistry, the University of Freiburg ranks 2nd nationally, a position it shares with several other universities (international ranking range 51-150). The University of Freiburg achieves a shared 3rd place nationally in the subjects of Geography (international ranking range 101-150) and Anatomy and Physiology (international ranking range 101-200).
In the subject of Agriculture and Forestry, the University of Freiburg ranks 5th nationally (shared 89th place internationally). At the national level, it also shares 5th place in the subjects of English Language and Literature and Modern Languages. In these two subjects, it is ranked in the 101–150 range internationally.
Methodology of the QS World University Rankings
The QS World University Rankings by Subject publish rankings in the five subject areas: ‘Arts & Humanities’, ‘Engineering & Technology’, ‘Life Sciences & Medicine’, ‘Natural Sciences’ and ‘Social Sciences & Management’ (Social Sciences and Management). In addition, rankings are compiled for the 55 sub-disciplines within these categories. The University of Freiburg is listed in 28 subject rankings.
The rankings are based on five indicators: ‘Academic Reputation’ and ‘Employer Reputation’, ‘Citations per Paper’, ‘H-index’ (a measure of the productivity and impact of published work) and ‘International Research Network’.
The indicators are weighted differently across the individual faculties and their respective subjects. Not all indicators are taken into account in every subject ranking.