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Four Australian universities boast engineering courses in the world’s top 10, and 13 data science and AI courses are in the global top 100, as experts call for greater investment in STEM to shore up national security and diversify the economy.
In the 16th annual edition of the world’s top university rankings by subject, education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds ranked 21,000 courses across 1900 universities in 100 countries.
The University of NSW slipped from second worldwide in minerals and mining engineering to No.3.
Curtin University (4), the University of Queensland (5) and the University of Western Australia (9)all excel in mining and minerals engineering.
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering chief executive Dr Kylie Walker said the results were terrific.
“We’ve been working very hard for a long time to support a cultural shift to see engineering as a problem-solving discipline. It’s heartening to see Australian universities be mighty above our status in STEM.”
Without further government and business investment in those disciplines, Australia risks falling behind globally, putting the economy and national security at risk, she said.
“We’re hearing [from leaders] about the critical importance of research and development to our safe and secure future; that is very much at odds with the amount of investment.”
Last year, seven Australian data science and AI courses cracked the top 100; this has almost doubled to 13 in the 2026 results.
“This is very promising. Universities have recognised that this technology is only growing. We think there is a lot more that we can be doing. I don’t think it’s doing Australia any favours to rely on offshore companies. [Given our] strategic geographic position, culture and value, freedom and democracy, it’s really important that we build this capability onshore.”
Also in the top 10 globally were the University of Sydney (No.3 for sports-related subjects), the University of Queensland (No.2 for sports-related subjects), Monash University (No.2 for pharmacy and pharmacology)
The University of Technology, Sydney, offers Australia’s best nursing degree (16), while Western Sydney University’s 27th-ranked nursing course is also its strongest.
Macquarie University recorded its first top 20 ranking with philosophy (18).
Quacquarelli Symonds chief executive Jessica Turner said the rankings highlight Australian universities’ “enduring global relevance and intellectual strength” although they arrived at “at a moment of intense international competition and domestic policy change”.
“Australia’s higher education sector must maintain clarity and stability in policy settings to safeguard its global standing and appeal … At a time when global student mobility patterns are shifting and regional competitors are rapidly advancing, a coherent, forward-looking policy framework will be essential to ensuring Australia remains a destination of choice for students and researchers from around the world.”
In June, overall QS rankings put the University of Melbourne at the top at 19th, followed by UNSW (20) and the University of Sydney (25).
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