Brunel University London has steadily climbed the global ranking charts, now placing in the top quarter of institutions worldwide. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Brunel is placed at #385 position, while maintaining a #401-500 position in THE World University Rankings. The university is also improving its national rankings. Currently, Brunel is ranked #67 in Complete University Guide league table 2026 (up from #80 in 2025). In Guardian University Guide league table, BUL is also moved from #120 in 2025 to #117 in 2026, indicating a 3-step improvement. 

At the subject level, Brunel University London shows particular strength in Petroleum Engineering, holding a consistent QS global rank of #51–100 for three consecutive years. THE rankings for disciplines such as Engineering, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences have also remained stable or improved, reinforcing the university’s core strengths. However, slight declines in QS rankings across Computer Science, Business, and Social Sciences suggest areas for future development.

Read More: Brunel University London Reviews


Brunel University QS Ranking 2026

Since 2015, BUL has been placed in the top quarter of global universities, however in 2023, it lost its record and moved out of the top quarter. But in 2024, Brunel comes back stronger and acquires the #343 position. For 2026, the university still holds its position among the top quarter of the global universities, as Brunel University QS ranking 2026 places it at #385 position. It is also ranked at #145 in QS Sustainability rankings, improving from its #162 position in 2025. 


Brunel University of London World Rankings Trend

Brunel University of London is ranked more highly than 77.2% of other institutions, a big increase from the figure of 63.1% back in 2017. It means that the university now sits comfortably in the top quarter of universities worldwide. Brunel University QS ranking 2026 places it at the #385 position globally. In THE rankings, Brunel holds a position within #401-500 in the World University ranking category. A 5-year trend of Brunel University London world rankings are given below.

Ranked By 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank 2021 Rank
QS #342 #343 #412 #361 #368
THE #351-400 #351-400 #401-500 #351-400 #351-400
US News and World Report #525 #492 #485 #487 -

Brunel University London Rankings in UK

Brunel University London holds the first position as the UK’s most international university, as per THE World University Rankings, 2025. Other national ranking agencies like Guardian and Complete University Guide also rank Brunel among the top universities in UK. National ranking trends of Brunel University are as follows:

Ranked By 2026 Rank 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
Guardian University Guide #117 #120 #121 #116 #116
Complete University Guide #67 #80 #85 #91 #62

Brunel University London Rankings for Engineering

Brunel University has demonstrated consistent strength in Petroleum Engineering, maintaining a global QS ranking of #51–100 for three consecutive years (2023–2025). It's THE Engineering ranking has also remained steady at #201–250, indicating reliable performance in teaching and research quality. These stable rankings reflect Brunel’s solid reputation in specific engineering disciplines.

However, other QS subject rankings show a gradual decline. Mechanical Engineering dropped from #151–200 to #201–250 in 2025, while Electrical & Electronic Engineering slipped further to #301–350. The overall QS ranking for Engineering & Technology fell from #291 in 2023 to #359 in 2025.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Petroleum Engineering #51-100 #51-100 #51-100
QS- Mechanical Engineering #201-250 #151-200 #151-200
QS- Electrical and Electrical Engineering #301-350 #251-300 #251-300
QS- Engineering and Technology #359 #320 #291
THE- Engineering #201-250 #201-250 #201-250

Read More: Brunel University of London Engineering Programs and Fees


Brunel University Rankings for Computer Science

Brunel University’s performance in Computer Science and Information Systems has shown a declining trend in QS rankings, dropping from #251–300 in 2023 to #351–400 in 2025. This indicates increased competition and possibly a need for improvement in areas like research impact, employer reputation, or international collaboration within the discipline.

In contrast, the Computer Science rankings have remained more stable, holding at #201–250 for the past two years after a slight drop from #176–200 in 2023.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Computer Science and Information Systems #351-400 #301-350 #251-300
THE- Computer Science #201-250 #201-250 #176-200

Also Check: Brunel University London Computer Science Courses


Brunel University of London Rankings for Business Programs

Brunel University has seen a gradual decline in QS rankings across its Business and Economics-related disciplines. Notably, Economics and Econometrics dropped from #351–400 in 2023 to #451–500 in 2025, and Business and Management Studies slipped from #301–350 to #401–450 in the same period. This downward trend suggests increased competition and potential gaps in academic or employer reputation.

Meanwhile, THE rankings for Business and Economics have remained stable at #251–300 for 2024 and 2025, though this reflects a drop from #201–250 in 2023.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Economics and Econometrics #451-500 #401-450 #351-400
QS- Accounting and Finance #301-375 #301-350 #301-330
QS- Business and Management Studies #401-450 #351-400 #301-350
THE- Business and Economics #251-300 #251-300 #201-250

Also Read: Business Programs Offered By Brunel University of London


Brunel University Rankings for Science Programs

Brunel University has experienced mixed trends across science and social science subjects. In the QS rankings, fields like Environmental Sciences and Material Sciences have declined, with Material Sciences slipping from #301–350 in 2023 to #401–550 in 2025. Social Sciences and Management also saw a dip from #451–500 to #501–550, indicating a need for improvement in academic influence or international outlook.

On the THE front, some areas remained stable — Life Sciences held steady at #401–500, while Physical Sciences improved from #401–500 in 2023 to #251–300 in 2024, maintaining that position in 2025. However, Psychology and Social Sciences saw a downward shift, with Psychology falling from #201–250 to #251–300, and Social Sciences dropping from #201–250 to #301–400, highlighting potential concerns in research impact or faculty strength in these areas.

Subjects 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank
QS- Environmental Sciences #401-450 #401-450 #351-400
QS- Material Sciences #401-550 #351-400 #301-350
QS- Social Science and Management #501-550 #451-500 #451-500
QS- Medicine #601-650 - -
THE- Life Sciences #401-500 #401-500 #401-500
THE- Physical Sciences #251-300 #251-300 #401-500
THE- Psychology #251-300 #301-400 #201-250
THE- Social Sciences #301-400 #251-300 #201-250

Check Out: Brunel University of London Science Courses and Fees


Brunel University of London has solidified its global presence with a QS World Ranking of #385 in 2026 and consistent performance in THE rankings. While it continues to excel in Petroleum Engineering and Physical Sciences, a noticeable decline in Computer Science, Business, and Social Sciences highlights areas for strategic academic enhancement amid growing global competition.


FAQs

Ques: What rank is Brunel University UK?

Ans: Brunel University ranks among the top UK universities, holding the #80 position in the 2025 Complete University Guide and #120 in the 2025 Guardian rankings.

Ques: Is Brunel difficult to get into?

Ans: Brunel maintains competitive admission standards, especially in strong programs like Petroleum Engineering, but overall it offers accessible opportunities compared to more elite UK institutions. It has an international undergraduate acceptance rate of 54.25% and the postgraduate acceptance rate of 70%.

Ques: What is Brunel University famous for?

Ans: Brunel is renowned for its strong international focus and excellence in engineering, particularly Petroleum Engineering, as well as its reputable programs in Physical Sciences and business disciplines.

Ques: What is Brunel ranked in 2025?

Ans: Globally, Brunel University is ranked #342 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is placed within the 351-400 range in THE World University Rankings.