Published: 25 Mar 2026 | Last Updated: 25 Mar 2026 10:00:12

The RVC has been ranked first for Veterinary Science in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has once again earned the leading position for Veterinary Science in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, retaining its status as the world’s top institution for the subject and achieving its highest overall score to date.

The QS rankings analyse the reputation and research of thousands of institutions worldwide, across 55 narrow subject areas and five broad subject areas. Rankings are determined using indicators across a range of assessment areas, including Academic Reputation; Employer Reputation; Citations per Paper; and H-Index, which measures the output and influence of scholarly output. 

The RVC maintained its score of 100 for Academic Reputation and notably improved its H-Index score, reflecting the continued global impact and influence of its research. The RVC also sustained strong performance in Employer Reputation and Citations per Paper, highlighting the employability of its graduates and the quality of its research output.

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the RVC, said:          

“I am delighted that we have maintained our position with our peers in what has been a difficult year for the sector. Once again, I pay tribute to all who have contributed to the outcome and who continue to promote our reputation internationally.”

The RVC offers internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. Together, these programmes support the RVC’s mission to stretch the frontiers of what is possible in veterinary medicine through a strong and expanding research portfolio. Teaching in its internationally renowned first opinion and specialist referral hospitals provides students with hands-on access to innovative diagnostics and treatment across a wide range of species throughout their education and training.

The full list of rankings can be found at: https://www.topuniversities.com/

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2026. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.