A significant upward trend in York’s global and national position, as announced by the 2026 QS World University Rankings, underscores the University’s momentum and growth within a competitive landscape.
Moving up 29 spots globally, York is ranked 333rd among 1,501 institutions worldwide and 14th among those in Canada.
A widely recognized evaluation system that assesses the performance of universities globally, the QS World University Rankings provides comparative data on various indicators of academic excellence.
“York University’s advancement in the QS World University Rankings reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and continued improvement,” says York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “This recognition underscores our efforts to foster an inclusive environment and enhance research collaboration, vital elements in preparing our students for success in a globalized world. We will build on this momentum to continue driving positive change.”
The increase in global recognition showcases York’s sustained commitment to enhancing its global stature in the academic and research domains.
The QS World University Rankings recently introduced new metrics aimed at measuring sustainability, employment outcomes and international research collaboration, reflecting a broader initiative to align academic institutions with evolving societal demands.
York was particularly successful in its global and national rankings for the following indicators:
• Sustainability – 119th globally and 14th nationally
• Employment Outcomes – 149th globally, sixth nationally and second in the GTA
The University also and saw noticeable upswings for the following indicators:
• International Faculty – increase of 111 spots globally
• International Research Network – increase of 66 spots globally
York’s University Academic Plan aims to drive positive change through teaching excellence, innovative research collaboration and an inclusive environment.
This latest ranking follows York’s strong performance in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking and the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, which were announced earlier this year.
York placed in the world’s top 40 for advancing United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the THE Impact Ranking, with an impressive leap in its ranking for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
In the QS Rankings by Subject, the University landed in the top nationally 10 for 15 different subject areas.
Since 2021, York University has increased its global position in the QS World University Rankings by approximately 35 per cent.