The University of Canterbury has the following subjects ranked in the world’s top 350 (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026):
Top 100 in the world for Sustainability
2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings
Top 30 in the world for Environmental Education
2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings
#2 in New Zealand for employability outcomes
2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings
Top 100 best student cities — Christchurch
2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings
| Subject | QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026 (released March 2026) |
| Accounting and Finance | Top 300 |
| Agriculture and Forestry | Top 200 |
| Arts and Humanities | 284th in the world |
| Business & Management Studies | Top 350 |
| Earth and Marine Sciences | Top 200 |
| Education and Training | Top 300 |
| Engineering and Technology | 279th in the world |
| Engineering – Chemical | Top 350 |
| Engineering – Civil and Structural | Top 100 |
| Engineering – Electrical and Electronic | Top 350 |
| Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing | Top 300 |
| English Language and Literature | Top 300 |
| Environmental Sciences | Top 300 |
| Geography | Top 50 |
| Geology | Top 200 |
| Geophysics | Top 200 |
| Hospitality and Leisure Management | Top 100 |
| Law and Legal Studies | Top 200 |
| Linguistics | 61st in the world |
| Modern Languages | Top 350 |
| Natural Sciences | Top 361 |
| Politics and International Studies | Top 250 |
| Psychology | Top 300 |
| Sociology | Top 300 |
| Social Sciences and Management | 246th in the world |
5 Star University
In 2011, the University of Canterbury was the first New Zealand university to receive the 5 Star rating by QS and has maintained its 5 Star status since then.
The QS website states “A typical five-star institution is generally world-class in a broad range of areas, enjoys an excellent reputation and has cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.”
