McGill University Drops in Global Rankings but Remains Top 50

McGill University has fallen in the latest global university rankings, yet it still maintains a position in the top 50. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, released this week, evaluated 2,191 universities across 115 countries. Although McGill now ranks 41st globally, it remains Quebec’s highest-rated institution.

Canadian Universities Stand Out

The University of Toronto secured its status as Canada’s top university, rising to 21st in the world. McGill’s ranking places it ahead of the University of British Columbia (UBC), which came in at 45th. Toronto’s success is attributed to its exceptional scores in research quality and international outlook, while McGill garnered recognition for its teaching performance and research environment.

According to McGill’s profile on Times Higher Education, approximately 29% of its 30,000 students hail from outside Canada, highlighting its international appeal. The university also boasts a student-to-staff ratio of about 12 to 1, with women making up just over 60% of the student body. McGill excels particularly in fields such as psychology, medicine, and law, ranking among the world’s top 35 in each discipline.

Comparative Performance and Trends

In 2025, McGill ranked 34th, indicating a decline in its position in the 2026 rankings. Conversely, the University of Toronto improved from 24th to its current ranking. Globally, Oxford University retains its top spot for the tenth consecutive year, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in second place and Princeton University, which is tied with the University of Cambridge for third.

Despite the slip in rankings, McGill graduates can still take pride in their institution’s strong performance relative to hundreds of other universities worldwide. The university’s resilience in the academic landscape continues to enhance Montreal’s reputation as one of the best student cities globally. For further details, the complete 2026 rankings are available at timeshighereducation.com.