Kingston University maintains a resilient global presence in the QS World University Rankings 2026, positioned at =660 (down from #601–610 in 2025), while holding steady in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 within the #801–1000 band for the sixth consecutive year. Despite limited upward mobility in global tables, Kingston shines brighter in UK national rankings, reflecting its strong domestic reputation, student satisfaction, and graduate outcomes:

Kingston University continues to lead London and the UK in creative and healthcare disciplines, making it a top choice for career-focused students:

Top Performers (2026):

  • #1 in London for Fashion & Textiles, Graphic Design, Creative Writing, Children’s Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing (Guardian 2026)
  • Top 100 globally in Art & Design (QS Subject Rankings 2026)
  • #51–100 worldwide in Fashion & Textiles (QS 2026)
  • #1 in London for Illustration & Animation and Interior Design

Also Read: Kingston University Admissions 2026

Kingston University World Rankings 2025

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Kingston is positioned at =660, marking a shift from the 601-610 band in 2025 amid heightened global competition in metrics like employability and research impact. Meanwhile, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 places it steadily in the 801–1000 band, reflecting consistent performance in teaching quality and international outlook for the seventh year running. The notable trends of Kingston University world rankings are as follows.

Ranked By 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Ranking #660 #601-610 #601-610 #601-650 #601-650
THE World University Ranking #801-1000 #801-1000 #801-1000 #801-1000 #801-1000
US News Best Global University Ranking #1534 #1396 #1396 #1317 #1314

Compared to London peers like University of the Arts London (#301 QS 2026), Kingston offers broader program variety (e.g., engineering alongside design) at higher value.

Kingston University Rankings in UK

Kingston University is regarded as one of the top universities in UK. National ranking agency, The Guardian ranks Kingston at #60 position in 2025. The other agency, The Complete University Guide, placed this university at #88 position in 2025. Notable national rankings of Kingston University are as follows:

Kingston University Guardian University Guide Rankings

  • #1 in London and #4 in the UK for fashion and textiles
  • #1 in London and #4 in the UK for geography
  • #1 in London and #5 in the UK for graphic design
  • #1 in London for children's nursing, midwifery and social work
  • Top 3 in London for animation and game design, product design, general nursing, mental health nursing, pharmacy and pharmacology, marketing and public relations and education.

Kingston University Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide Ranking

  • Top in London for Nursing.
  • #2 in London for archaeology, forensic science, creative writing and social work.
  • #6 in the UK for art and design.

Kingston University Engineering and Computer Science Rankings

Kingston University has shown mixed performance in subject rankings over the past three years. In the QS rankings for Computer Science and Information Systems, the university improved from the #551–600 band in 2023 and 2024 to #501–550 in 2025, reflecting a slight upward trend. However, for Mechanical Engineering, it slipped from #501–520 in both 2023 and 2024 to #501–575 in 2025, indicating a marginal decline in its global standing.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking for Engineering, Kingston University saw a more noticeable drop—from #601–800 in 2023 and 2024 to #801–1000 in 2025.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Computer Science and Information Systems #501-550 #551-600 #551-600
QS- Mechanical Engineering #501-575 #501-520 #501-520
THE- Engineering #801-1000 #601-800 #601-800

Check Out: Engineering and Computer Science Programs Offered by Kingston University

Kingston University Rankings for Business Programs

Kingston University’s rankings in business-related subjects have generally declined over the last three years. In the QS Business and Management Studies category, the university remained steady at #351–400 in 2024 and 2025, but this is a drop from its #301–350 position in 2023. A more significant decline is seen in QS Economics and Econometrics, where rankings fell from #351–400 in 2023 to #451–500 in 2024, and further to #551–700 in 2025.

The Business and Economics ranking also shows a notable drop from #301–400 in both 2023 and 2024 to #501–600 in 2025.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Business and Management Studies #351-400 #351-400 #301-350
QS- Economics and Econometrics #551-700 #451-500 #351-400
THE- Business and Economics #501-600 #301-400 #301-400

Also Read: Kingston University Business Courses and Fees 2025

Kingston University QS Subject Rankings 2026

Check the latest Kingston University QS Rankings 2025 in the table below.

Ranked For 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
Art and Design #101-150 #101-150 #51-100
Education and Training #251-300 #201-250 #151-200
English Language and Literature #251-300 #251-300 #251-300
Politics #301-400 - -
Arts and Humanities #356 #356 #333
Law and Legal Studies #351-400 - -
Social Sciences and Management #451-500 #401-450 #401-450
Sustainability #745 #761-770 #601
Europe University Rankings (Northern Europe) #89 #87 -

Kingston University THE Subject Rankings 2026

Latest rankings of Kingston University as per the Times Higher Education rankings mentioned in the table below.

Ranked For 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
Arts and Humanities #501-600 #501-600 #501-600
Medical and Health #601-800 #601-800 #601-800
Education Studies #401-500 #401-500 #251-300
Physical Sciences - #601-800 #601-800
Psychology #301-400 #301-400 #201-250
Social Sciences #601-800 #601-800 #601-800

Check Out: Kingston University Reviews

Kingston University acceptance rate is around 20-30% only. The university holds a global QS rank of #601–610 in 2025, consistent with 2024, but reflecting a gradual decline from #581–590 in 2021. While UK national rankings remain stronger- #60 by The Guardian and #88 by The Complete University Guide in 2025- Kingston’s subject-wise performance is mixed.

FAQs

Ques: What is the rank of Kingston University in the UK?

Ans: As per 2025 data, Kingston University is ranked #60 by The Guardian and #88 by The Complete University Guide, reflecting a mid-tier standing among UK universities.

Ques: Is Kingston University tier 1?

Ans: No, Kingston University is generally not considered a Tier 1 university. It ranks #601–610 globally (QS 2025) and holds a mid-range position in UK rankings, making it a Tier 2 or Tier 3 institution depending on the classification criteria.

Ques: What is the top 1 university in the UK?

Ans: As of the latest rankings, the University of Oxford consistently holds the #1 position in the UK across most global ranking platforms like QS, THE, and The Guardian.

Ques: What is Kingston University famous for?

Ans: Kingston University is renowned for its excellence in Fashion and Textiles, Graphic Design, Nursing, and Art & Design—ranking #1 in London and top 5 in the UK in several of these disciplines according to The Guardian 2025.