The UAE has emerged as one of the region’s most dynamic higher education hubs, with 14 institutions featuring a total of 116 times in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 released on Wednesday.
Khalifa University leads the UAE’s performance, rising to sixth globally in petroleum engineering. Notably, in the country, 47 entries improved, underlining steady progress.
The rankings, which evaluate more than 21,000 academic programmes across 1,900 universities worldwide, highlight a broad shift in the Arab world’s academic landscape.
Meanwhile, KU has also broken into the top 100 for electrical and electronic engineering and chemical engineering, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on advanced industry and innovation.
Ajman University also debuts in Dentistry in 2026, ranking in the 51-100 range.
Institutions in the country are making notable gains in engineering and technology fields, while also expanding their presence in fast-growing areas such as computer science and pharmacy.
New entrants from the UAE this year include the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, American University in Dubai, Gulf Medical University, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence — a sign of the sector’s continued expansion.
This progress is closely tied to national strategies such as Operation 300bn, which aims to position the UAE as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
The rankings reflect that shift: the UAE now has five institutions in the world’s top 400 for computer science, compared to just two five years ago, and three institutions in the top 200 for pharmacy and pharmacology — up from none in 2021.
Across the wider Arab world, the rankings paint a picture of rapid growth and increasing competitiveness. More than 780 entries from the region feature this year, with 252 improving their position.
Saudi Arabia remains the most represented system with 196 entries, followed closely by Egypt with 195 — a 20 per cent increase from last year — highlighting the scale of expansion in North Africa’s largest higher education system.
Jordan has also made significant strides, with 105 entries this year compared to 72 previously, driven largely by growth in computer science and information systems. Meanwhile, Oman and Qatar continue to strengthen niche areas such as petroleum engineering and nursing, with institutions like Sultan Qaboos University achieving multiple top 50 placements.
At the top end, the region continues to perform strongly in petroleum engineering, with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals ranked fourth globally and Khalifa University sixth. However, the rankings show clear diversification, with strong performances in dentistry, pharmacy, manufacturing engineering, and data science.
Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President of QS, said, “The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 clearly shows how higher education is not only continuing to set students up for successful in important careers, but that it is serving societies across the Arab-speaking world.
“As well as being a hub for petroleum engineering, universities across the region are demonstrating that they are diversifying their portfolios in response to changes to the economy.”
Despite these gains, challenges remain. In the UAE, only 28 per cent of entries improved in the employer reputation indicator, pointing to a need for closer alignment between academic outcomes and labour market demands.
Still, the overall trajectory is clear: universities across the Middle East are evolving rapidly, with the UAE at the forefront of a shift towards innovation-driven, future-ready education systems.
© Khaleej Times
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