MIT has retained its position as the best university for studying chemical engineering, according to the latest QS World Rankings.

The US university has been ranked top for chemical engineering for the last four years by the education analysis firm QS. Universities are ranked on five indicators including feedback on their reputations from hundreds of thousands of other academics and graduate employers, and citations for peer-reviewed research.

There is little change among the top 20 universities when it comes to overall scores for chemical engineering. The University of Cambridge slipped one place to fourth, while the University of Oxford rose from ninth to seventh (see figure).

Figure: The Chemical Engineer | Source: QS

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The rankings are designed to provide students a tool to compare the universities they are applying to. For example, if a student wanted to compare how UK universities are rated by graduate employers, they would find that the top ten universities in descending order are: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Manchester, University College London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Would-be chemical engineers in Australia with an eye on a career in R&D would be interested to find that the top five universities for research citations are Adelaide, Curtin, QUT, Queensland, and UNSW Sydney.

Meanwhile, those in Malaysia keen to understand the international research network of universities will find the top five are: Universiti of Malaya, University Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Comparing the overall scores of universities for chemical engineering in the 15 countries where IChemE accredits courses, we find the top ten are: University of Cambridge, UK; National University of Singapore; University of Oxford; Imperial College London; Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Delft University of Technology; Tsinghua University, China; University of Manchester, UK; University College London; and Peking University, China.

You can filter and compare QS’ 2024 data for chemical engineering subjects here.

QS is not alone in ranking university courses. There is also the which in 2023 placed University of Oxford top.

The engineering subject table uses the same trusted and rigorous performance indicators as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, but the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the individual fields.

It highlights the universities that are leading across the following disciplines: general engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, civil engineering and chemical engineering.

This year’s table includes 1,306 universities, up from 1,188 last year.

View the World University Rankings 2023 by subject: engineering methodology

The top four universities are identical to last year. All are in the US, with Harvard University; Stanford University; the University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) claiming the top spots.

Six of the top 10 are in the US, with Switzerland and the UK featuring as well as Singapore. But Switzerland’s ETH Zurich has slipped down one spot to 10th place, and the UK’s University of Cambridge has fallen two spots to seventh place. Elsewhere in the UK, the University of Oxford has risen one rank to fifth place.

There are more Chinese universities in the rankings than in previous years, with universities in their debut year including Zhengzhou University in the 301-400 band; Nanjing Forestry University and South China Normal University in the 401-500 band; and Changsha University of Science and Technology and Fujian Normal University in the 501-600 band. Overall, mainland China appears 82 times in the 2023 Engineering rankings – 21 more than in 2019, when it had 67 representatives.

The highest-ranked newcomer is Lebanon’s Beirut Arab University, making its debut in the 201-250 band.

Read our analysis of the subject rankings 2023 results

View the full results of the overall World University Rankings 2023

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In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently holds the top position across various specialisations.

Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and University of California, Berkeley (UCB), are also frequently featured in the top 10 across multiple specialisations. Moreover, specialised institutions like Colorado School of Mines, rank highly in specific subject areas such as petroleum engineering and mineral and mining engineering.

Which engineering course is best?

The ‘best’ engineering course can vary based on your preferences and career goals and the impact you want to make in the engineering field. Here's a brief overview of the most common engineering specialisations:

Chemical engineering: Chemical engineering involves applying principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to use, produce, design, transport, and transform energy and materials.

Civil & structural engineering: Civil and structural engineering focuses on designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and other large-scale projects.

Electrical and electronic engineering: Electrical and electronic engineering revolves around the study of electrical systems, electronics, electromagnetism, telecommunications, and power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Petroleum engineering: Petroleum engineering deals with the extraction of hydrocarbons like oil and gas from beneath the Earth's surface, as well as the techniques and technology to optimize the process.

Mechanical engineering: Mechanical engineering focuses on designing, analysing, and manufacturing mechanical systems, including machinery, engines, robotics, thermal devices, and more.

Mineral & mining engineering: Mineral and mining engineering involves the study of extracting valuable minerals and metals from the Earth, as well as techniques to ensure efficient and sustainable mining processes.

What is the difference between B.Tech and B.E?

B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) and B.E (Bachelor of Engineering) primarily differ in their academic approach. B.Tech emphasises practical application and technology, while B.E has a broader theoretical foundation. Both offer engineering specialisations and similar career opportunities, with the distinction varying by country and institution.

Which type of engineering should you study?

Not sure which is the best engineering course for you?Opt for chemical engineering for processes involving chemicals and materials; civil & structural engineering for construction and infrastructure; electrical & electronic engineering for electrical systems and electronics; mechanical engineering for machinery and mechanics; mineral & mining engineering for resource extraction; and petroleum engineering for the oil and gas industry.

Is MIT the best engineering school in the world?

Currently (in 2023) MIT ranks

1 in the world for Engineering according to QS. Ivy League Harvard ranks

1 globally according to Times Higher Education.null15 Best Undergraduate Engineering Schools in the USA (Ranked for ...www.kingseducation.com › kings-life › engineering-schools-usanull

What is MIT number 1 at?

The Institute received a No. 1 ranking in the following QS subject areas: Chemical Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering; Computer Science and Information Systems; Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Linguistics; Materials Science; Mechanical, Aeronautical, and ...nullQS ranks MIT the world's No. 1 university for 2024-25news.mit.edu › qs-ranks-mit-worlds-no-1-university-0604null

Is MIT better than Harvard?

Both MIT and Harvard are widely recognized as among the most prestigious institutions in the world, but they excel in different academic domains. MIT is celebrated for its unparalleled contributions to science, technology, and innovation, making it highly prestigious in those fields.nullMIT vs. Harvard: Which College to Choose? - Quad Educationwww.quadeducationgroup.com › blog › mit-vs-harvardnull

What rank is MIT school in the world?

Rankings & ratings Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the top universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked

1 in QS World University Rankings 2025.nullMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Top Universitieswww.topuniversities.com › universities › massachusetts-institute-technolog...null