The University of Sussex, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), has today been ranked first in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, for the tenth consecutive year.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject ranks the world’s top universities in individual subject areas, covering 55 subject areas. This year, almost 5,000 institutions were analysed for reputation and research output in 96 locations around the world.
Development Studies, at Sussex and IDS, has now been ranked first in the world for ten consecutive years, and for 11 of the 12 years the subject has been included in the rankings - making it only the fifth UK institution ever to achieve a decade-long run at the top in any single subject.
Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex said:
“To be ranked first in the world for Development Studies for a whole decade is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates the world-leading calibre of the research and teaching carried out at Sussex and our campus partner the Institute of Development Studies. We are proud to be making a distinctive contribution to creating progressive, sustainable futures for the whole world. Development Studies graduates from Sussex are playing leading roles in almost every country in shaping effective and ethical responses to economic, environmental and humanitarian crises.
“I am also delighted that Sussex now has nine subjects in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject in addition to Development Studies: Anthropology, Communication and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, Geography, History, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology. With eleven subjects rising in rank this year across the 22 subject areas for which we are ranked, these results are testament to the excellence and impact of the research and education taking place at Sussex across the social sciences, arts and humanities, and sciences.”
Teaching and research in Development Studies at Sussex and IDS, which shares the University’s campus, are closely linked and offer students direct engagement with problems facing societies and governments around the world and interaction with the policymakers, businesses, NGOs, social movements, and communities that are seeking solutions these problems.
The ranking reflects the two organisations’ collective excellence in education and research that bring together staff, students and global partners to advance understanding and address inequalities related to social, economic and political challenges throughout the world.
Professor Anuradha Joshi, Director, Institute of Development Studies, said:
“Credit for this outstanding achievement must go to our incredible staff and students. It is the combination of our high impact research, collaborative learning approach and talented students from around the world that keeps IDS, in partnership with the University of Sussex, at the forefront of Development Studies, and makes studying here such a unique and transformative experience.
“With so much uncertainty and turbulence in the world, now more than ever we need to equip leaders of the future with the skills and knowledge to tackle the complex global challenges we all face.”
Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, (and founding architect of the QS World University Rankings) said:
“The University of Sussex’s performance in Development Studies continues to stand out in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Ranking first for a tenth consecutive year, and in 11 of the 12 editions since the subject was introduced in 2015, Sussex demonstrates a high level of consistency across key indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. Sustained top placement over this period underlines the strength of Sussex’s offering in this field.”
Development Studies teaching and research is delivered across academic schools at Sussex, including the Schools of Global Studies (Anthropology, Geography, International Development, International Relations), Education and Social Work, Media, Arts and Humanities, and the University of Sussex Business School, as well as in partnership with IDS.
Many Development Studies alumni have gone on to play influential roles in government, public service and global economic renewal. Notable examples include Martin Griffiths, former Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations; Carlos Alvarado Quesada, former President of Costa Rica; and Harriet Lamb CBE, former CEO of WRAP and now CEO of the Green Party of England and Wales.
Professor Geert De Neve, Head of the School of Global Studies, said:
“I am delighted that once again Sussex and IDS have been jointly ranked as number one in the world for Development Studies. To have held this position for ten consecutive years is testament to the calibre of our teaching, research and impact.
“At Sussex we are particularly proud of the significant contributions we have made to the processes of decolonising development and critically rethinking the role it can play in an increasingly polarised world. Our vibrant community of students, faculty and alumni, working across numerous global partnerships, remains deeply committed to fomenting and nurturing more just, progressive and sustainable futures for us all.”
In addition to Development Studies being ranked first in the world, the University has eight other subjects ranked in the global top 100, up from six in 2025, including three subjects - History, Communication & Media Studies and Psychology- that have risen into the top 100:
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English Language and Literature (60=)
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History (51-100)
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Anthropology (51-100)
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Communication & Media Studies (51-100)
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Development Studies (1)
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Politics (88)
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Sociology (46)
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Psychology (91=)
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Geography (51-100)
To find out more, please visit: https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings
This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (quality education). You can read more about our work on the SDGs here.