Times Higher Education (THE) has released its World University Rankings 2027, covering 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories.
Pakistan has 108 universities represented in the overall ranking system, according to THE.
Quaid-i-Azam University Leads Pakistani Institutions
Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), based in Islamabad, is the highest-ranked Pakistani institution in the latest edition. THE placed QAU in the 551–600 global ranking band.
The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), also based in Islamabad, follows in the 601–650 band, while COMSATS University Islamabad is placed in the 651–700 band.
Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and the University of Lahore are all placed in the 701–800 band.
Other Pakistani Universities in the Ranking
A total of 16 Pakistani universities are placed in the 801–1000 band, including Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Air University, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Gomal University, Government College University Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, International Islamic University Islamabad, Iqra University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Central Punjab, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, University of Gujrat, University of Malakand, University of Management and Technology, University of the Punjab and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore.
The 1001–1200 band includes Capital University of Science and Technology, Hazara University Mansehra, Islamia College Peshawar, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Lahore University of Management Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Riphah International University, Sukkur IBA University, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, The University of Haripur, The Women University Multan, University of Okara, University of Peshawar and University of Swabi.
The 1201–1400 band includes Bahria University, Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, University of Education Lahore, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, University of Sargodha and University of Swat.
The 1401–1600 band includes the Institute of Space Technology, Lahore College for Women University, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, MNS University of Agriculture Multan and Superior University.
The 1601–1800 band includes Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, National Textile University and the University of Karachi.
Khyber Medical University and NED University of Engineering and Technology are placed in the 1801–2000 band, while the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) is in the 2001+ band.
What ‘Reporter’ Status Means
Several Pakistani universities are listed as “Reporter” institutions rather than receiving a numerical rank or ranking band.
According to THE, Reporter status is given to universities that submit ranking data but do not meet the eligibility criteria for an official ranking.
THE may exclude an institution from the ranked table if it does not teach undergraduate students, fails to meet minimum research-output requirements, or has 80 percent or more of its research output concentrated in a single subject area.
For the 2027 ranking, an institution generally needed at least 1,000 relevant research publications between 2021 and 2025, including at least 100 publications in each year.
How the Rankings Are Calculated
THE evaluates research-intensive universities using 17 performance indicators grouped into five areas.
Research Quality carries a 30 percent weight, followed by Teaching at 29.5 percent and Research Environment at 29 percent. International Outlook accounts for 7.5 percent, while Industry contributes the remaining 4 percent.
Top Universities in the World
The University of Oxford retained first place in the THE World University Rankings for an 11th consecutive year.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranked second, while Princeton University and Stanford University shared third place. The University of Cambridge ranked fifth, followed by Harvard University in sixth.
California Institute of Technology ranked seventh, Imperial College London eighth, while the University of California, Berkeley and Yale University shared ninth place.
Pakistani Universities, World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, Quaid-i-Azam University, NUST, COMSATS University, University Rankings, Higher Education, Pakistan, THE Rankings
Pakistani Universities in THE World University Rankings 2027
Ranking bands of the leading Pakistani universities listed in the Times Higher Education 2027 rankings.
| university | rank |
|---|---|
| Quaid-i-Azam University | 575 |
| NUST | 625 |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | 675 |
| Bahauddin Zakariya University | 750 |
| University of Agriculture Faisalabad | 750 |
| University of Lahore | 750 |
