Eight universities from Pakistan are ranked in the top 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject

The most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 show that eight Pakistani universities have earned a name for themselves internationally. With approximately 16,300 academic programmes evaluated across a range of areas, this year’s rankings saw a notable spike, with more than 600 programmes being added from the previous year.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2024 include 55 different subjects that are categorised into five main areas: Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences and Management. This year’s rankings comprised evaluations of 1,559 institutions globally, 64 of which were new to the rankings.

Quaid-e-Azam University, Aga Khan University, Lahore University of Engineering and Technology (UET), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), University of the Punjab, and COMSATS University Islamabad are a few of the Pakistani universities that have gained international recognition.

NUST emerges as the front-runner once more, sealing the top spot in the QS rankings and upholding its tradition of excellence. COMSATS University Islamabad and University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore are just behind. Notable rankings positions were also attained by Quaid-i-Azam University and University of the Punjab, demonstrating the academic diversity of the nation.

It is also noteworthy that NUST performed exceptionally well in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. The school moved up 16 spots in the Engineering & Technology category to claim the esteemed 144th place worldwide. With this outstanding accomplishment, NUST has continued to rule this field in Pakistan for the past eight years.

NUST strengthens its standing as one of the top 200 universities in the world by offering programmes in electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, and civil and structural engineering. Furthermore, it has been ranked in the top 300 universities in the fields of mathematics, material science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and aeronautical and manufacturing engineering. Notably, NUST has debuted in fields including medicine, accounting and finance, and economics and econometrics, demonstrating its adaptability and changing academic environment.

Commemorating noteworthy achievements, the University of the Punjab lists 19 topics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. Of these, Library and Information Management stands out the most, ranking astonishingly well in the 50–70 range worldwide—a historic accomplishment for the university. Petroleum engineering, languages, linguistics, mathematics, pharmacy, agriculture & forestry, physics & astronomy, engineering & technology, and chemical engineering are among the other subjects that were ranked.

Regarding the Arts and Humanities subject category, no Pakistani institute has received a ranking.

Let’s examine the comprehensive rankings of Pakistani universities in the other fields of study.

Engineering & Technology

University	Ranking	Overall Score
NUST	144	71.7
COMSATS	236	67.3
UET	236	67.3
Quaid-e-Azam University	302	64.6
University of Punjab	392	61.9
LUMS	401-450	n/a

 

Life Sciences & Medicine

University	Ranking	Overall Score
Agha Khan University	401-450	n/a
Quaid-e-Azam University	401-450	n/a
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad	401-450	n/a

 

Natural Sciences

University	Ranking	Overall Score
Quaid-e-Azam University	307	65.1
COMSATS	370	62.9
NUST	394	62
University of Punjab	451-500	n/a

 

Social Sciences & Management

University	Ranking	Overall Score
LUMS	318	63.7
NUST	400	61.6
COMSATS	451-500	n/a
Quaid-e-Azam University	451-500	n/a
University of Punjab	501-500	n/a

In order to rank institutions in the World University Subject Rankings, Criteria QS combines five factors. These are the following:

• scholarly standing
• Employer standing
• H-index
• research citations per paper
• Global Research Alliance

The first two indicators are global employer and academic surveys that are used to evaluate each subject’s institution’s standing internationally.

The h-index and research impact for the pertinent topic are assessed using the second two metrics. For those who don’t know, the productivity and impact of research are also assessed using the h-index. The most extensive research citation database in the world, Scopus, provides the data for these two metrics.

The last metric emphasises an institution’s participation in international research collaboration.