Education consultancy releases 2026 university subject rankings

Higher education consultancy ShanghaiRanking released the 2026 China University Subject Rankings on Monday. Peking University topped the national list with 93 A+ subjects, followed by Tsinghua University with 57 and Harbin Institute of Technology ranked third with 51.

The rankings evaluated subjects offered by at least four higher education institutions, covering a total of 640 subjects. The rankings list universities in the top 50 percent for each subject, with 30,710 subject entries from 1,132 universities making the list.

This year's rankings encompass 838 subjects across 92 subject categories and 13 academic disciplines, making it the most comprehensive and extensive ranking of undergraduate subjects in China to date.

A subject is classified as "A+" if it ranks in the top 2 percent nationwide or is among the top two in its field.

Due to their strong overall capabilities, "Double First-Class" universities have a significant advantage in the number of A+ subjects. The 129 "Double First-Class" universities account for over 80 percent of all A+ subjects nationwide.

Following Peking University, Tsinghua University and Harbin Institute of Technology, top performers in terms of the number of A+ subjects include Renmin University of China (47), Zhejiang University (43), Fudan University (42), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (38), Beihang University (34), Nanjing University (33), and Beijing Foreign Studies University (32).

Among non-"Double First-Class" universities, Beijing Film Academy, Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute each have 10 A+ subjects, tying for first place, followed by Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, each with 9 A+ subjects.

In comprehensive universities, Peking University and Tsinghua University lead with A+ subject precision rates of 77.5 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Other top performers among comprehensive universities include Renmin University of China (60.3 percent), the University of Science and Technology of China (54.8 percent), Fudan University (53.2 percent), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (50.7 percent), Beihang University (46.6 percent), Harbin Institute of Technology (44.3 percent), Zhejiang University (43.4 percent), and Beijing Institute of Technology (41.1 percent).

According to the number of subjects listed in the rankings, Peking University leads all domestic universities with 120 subjects. Jilin University follows closely with 119 subjects, and Wuhan University ranks third nationwide with 116 subjects.

Among non-"Double First-Class" universities, Yangzhou University stands out with 105 listed subjects, far ahead of others. Jiangsu University and Kunming University of Science and Technology are tied for second place, each with 88 listed subjects.

In China's provincial-level regions, Beijing stands out with the highest number of A+ and A subjects. Shanghai holds the second position nationwide for A+ subjects.

In terms of the total number of listed subjects, Jiangsu leads the country, followed by Beijing and Hubei, Shandong, and Guangdong provinces.