QS - Performance
QS WUR - PERFORMANCE 2018 - 2027
>>> Methodology
With the publication of the QS WUR 2027 ranking (June 2026), the University of Padova ranks 204th on a global scale, consolidating its permanence in the Top 250 World Universities.
It maintains the fourth national position in overall terms.
In the following graph and in the table the details of the results of recent years.
As of QS2024, three new indicators have been used:
- Sustainability: assesses the impact of the University in terms of sustainability.
- International Research Research Network (IRN): evaluates the network of research partnerships with other universities around the world; the University of Padua is among the top 100 global universities, confirming the quality of its scientific research, appreciated internationally
- Employment Outcomes (EO): instead assesses the degree of employment of graduates, Padova follows the trend of Italian universities.
In the QS2023 edition, the two indicators IRN and EO had not been considered for the purpose of calculating the overall result.
For more information, please refer to the QS WUR support page.
The following graph summarizes the evolution of the positioning of the University of Padova in relation to the number of participating world institutions, of which only a part actually receives an evaluation.
QS WUR BY SUBJECT 2018-2026
>>> Methodology

In the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2026 (published on 25 March 2026), the University of Padova confirms a good performance in the four disciplinary macro-areas: Life Sciences & Medicine occupies the hundredth position in the world, Natural Sciences 111th, Arts & Humanities 138th, Engineering & Technology records a good improvement compared to the last edition (155th), and finally Social Sciences & Management is confirmed in the top 250 (228th).
A distinctive aspect of the University of Padova is its multi-year presence in all 55 Subjects considered by QS.
In fact, only 38 institutions worldwide achieve results in more than 45 disciplines.
The subject areas with the best results are:
- Veterinary sciences (world absolute position = 47)
- Psychology (48)
- Forestry and Agriculture (66)
- Physics and Astronomy (78)
- Archaeology (range 51 - 100)
- History (range 51 - 100)
- Anatomy and physiology (range 51 - 100)
- Earth Sciences and Marine Sciences (range 51 - 100)
- Geology (range 51 - 100)
- Geophysics (band 51 - 100)
- Statistics and Operations Research (range 51 - 100)
- Classics and Ancient History (range 51-150)
In the world top 150 we also find Medicine (104th place), Biological Sciences (105th), Engineering - Electrical & Electronic (127th), Mathematics (141st), Engineering - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing (149) and the subjects Modern Languages, Philosophy, Engineering - Chemical, Engineering - Civil & Structural, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Geography, all placed in the 101-150 range.
At the national level, Padova occupies a place on the podium in 22 disciplines, winning the first place in Italy with Psychology, Earth & Marine Sciences, Geology, Geophysics, Statistics & Operational Research, while sharing the primacy in Anatomy & Physiology and History with other Italian universities.
Below is the detail of the rankings in recent years for the individual disciplines
QS World University Rankings: Europe
>>> Methodology

With the publication of the new results of the QS Europe University Ranking 2026 (January 2026), the University of Padova records an excellent performance in the "Academic Reputation" indicator, bringing Padova to occupy the 44th position at European level (plus 2 positions compared to the last edition). At national level, Padova occupies the top step of the podium in "Sustainability" (an indicator that focuses on the social and environmental impact generated by universities within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), ranking 62nd at European level. The solidity and quality of the international research network developed by the University of Padua with other universities is also confirmed by the "IRN - International Research Network" indicator (measures and evaluates studies published with foreign co-authors), on the basis of which the Bo ranks 48th in Europe and third in Italy.
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Ranking Unit
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