Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden, ranks #30 globally in Social Policy and Administration on the QS Subject Rankings 2026, its strongest single subject result. It is ranked #167 in QS World University Rankings 2027 and #105 globally on Collegedunia Study Abroad.
- QS World University Rankings 2027: #167 globally
- Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026: #105 globally, #4 in Sweden
- THE World University Rankings 2026: #201-250 globally
- ARWU (Shanghai) 2025: #100 globally
Reading the rank pattern: Its QS subject ranks (#30 Social Policy, #35 Environmental Sciences) sit far above its #167 overall QS rank, signalling specialist strength outside generalist metrics. Indian comparators like IIT Delhi (#118 QS 2027) lead on overall position, but Stockholm beats them in social-science and environmental disciplines. For Indian applicants targeting public policy, sustainability or sociology, the subject ranks matter more than the headline #167.
Table of Contents
- Stockholm University Overall Rankings 2026
- Stockholm University Rankings: Bottom Line for Indian Students
- Stockholm University QS World University Rankings 2027
- Collegedunia Study Abroad Rankings of Stockholm University
- Stockholm University Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2026
- Stockholm University ARWU (Shanghai) Rankings 2025
- Stockholm University U.S. News Best Global Rankings 2025-2026
- Stockholm University Subject Rankings 2026
- Stockholm University Regional Rankings
- Stockholm University Rankings: Indian Student Outlook
- Stockholm University Ranking FAQs
Read More: Stockholm University Admissions 2026: Deadlines, Eligibility and Acceptance Rate for Indian Students
Stockholm University Overall Rankings 2026
Stockholm University’s overall rankings sit inside the top 200 on three of four global bodies. The spread between agencies is wide: ARWU places it at #100 while THE drops it to the #201-250 band.
| Ranking Body | Stockholm University Rank |
|---|---|
| Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | #105 globally, #4 in Sweden |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | #167 globally |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | #201-250 globally |
| ARWU (Shanghai) 2025 | #100 globally |
| U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025-2026 | #193 globally |
The 67-position gap between ARWU #100 and QS #167 follows a clear methodology split. ARWU counts Nobel Prizes and research citations only, where Stockholm scores high. QS includes employer reputation surveys, where Indian and Asian peer universities also poll well.
For an Indian applicant choosing a research-led Master’s program, the ARWU #100 is the more reliable signal than the QS #167.
Key insight: Across the four global bodies and Collegedunia Study Abroad, Stockholm’s mean rank works out to roughly #155, a tighter benchmark than any single number suggests.
Stockholm University Rankings: Bottom Line for Indian Students
For Indian applicants, Stockholm University rankings carry one practical message: the strongest signals sit at subject and stream level, not the overall world rank.
| Signal | Stockholm Rank | What it means for Indian applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Top QS subject 2026 | #30 Social Policy and Administration | For public policy or social policy Master’s, Stockholm sits inside the global top 30, a tier no Indian university reaches in this discipline |
| Top THE subject 2026 | #82 Law | Law degree from Stockholm matches mid-tier European research universities for employer recognition in EU-facing roles |
| QS World 2027 vs IIT Delhi | #167 vs IIT Delhi #118 | India’s top engineering institute outranks Stockholm overall; this gap applies only to engineering generalist metrics |
| ARWU Shanghai 2025 | #100 globally | No Indian university features inside the ARWU 2025 top 500; Stockholm’s research footprint outweighs every Indian peer on this list |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | #105 globally, #2 in Sweden for Social Studies | Indian-applicant-weighted index aligns Stockholm with mid-tier US public research universities popular with Indian Master’s students |
Three out of five signals favour Stockholm over the closest Indian comparator for non-engineering Master’s. The gap is widest in social policy: Stockholm #30 versus no Indian entry inside the QS top 50.
Stockholm University Bottom Line: Key Signals
- Discipline match matters more than overall rank: The overall QS #167 hides its #30 Social Policy and #18 ARWU Environmental Science positions, both of which beat every Indian institute on the same lists.
- Research-led signal: The ARWU #100 places Stockholm in a tier where no Indian university currently sits.
- Practical filter: Choose Stockholm if your target program is social science, environmental science, law or sociology, not for engineering or computer science.
Stockholm University QS World University Rankings 2027
Stockholm University ranks #167 in QS World University Rankings 2027, down 20 positions from its 2026 result. QS scores universities on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and international diversity.
The 5-year trend shows two phases. The first is a climb from #153 in 2023 to a peak of #118 in 2024. The second is a steady slide back to #167 in 2027.
| Year | Stockholm University QS World Rank |
|---|---|
| 2027 | #167 |
| 2026 | #147 |
| 2025 | #128 |
| 2024 | #118 |
| 2023 | #153 |
The 49-position drop from #118 in 2024 to #167 in 2027 outpaces the wider European slide. QS revised how it calculates rankings in 2024, adding a sustainability indicator and giving more weight to employer reputation. Stockholm scores lower on employer polls than its research output suggests.
For Indian applicants, the trend signal matters less than the steady subject-level performance covered later in this article.
Trend signal: Across five editions, Stockholm’s mean QS rank is around #143, and the rank has stayed inside the top 200 every year. Alumni brand value remains intact for Indian Master’s graduates targeting Europe.
Read More: Stockholm University Courses and Fees 2026 for Indian Students
Collegedunia Study Abroad Rankings of Stockholm University
Collegedunia Study Abroad ranks universities on factors weighted toward Indian-applicant interest, including English-taught programs, post-study work routes and India-friendly fee structures. Stockholm University ranks #105 globally and #4 in Sweden on the 2026 list.
| Category | Collegedunia Rank |
|---|---|
| Overall | #105 globally, #4 in Sweden |
| Social Studies | #72 globally, #2 in Sweden |
| Arts | #80 globally, #3 in Sweden |
| Law | #97 globally, #2 in Sweden |
| Computer Science | #193 globally, #6 in Sweden |
| Engineering | #214 globally, #6 in Sweden |
The 88-position gap between Stockholm’s overall #105 and its CS #193 mirrors the QS pattern. Social sciences and law lift the brand; engineering and computer science drag it. Indian applicants comparing UK or US options should treat Stockholm as a social-science and law pick, not a tech school.
India-relevance: Three of Stockholm’s six Collegedunia stream ranks place it inside the top three in Sweden, signalling consistent India-facing strength in social studies, arts and law for Master’s applicants.
Stockholm University Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2026
Stockholm University is ranked in the #201-250 band in THE World University Rankings 2026, a drop from #191 in 2025 and #185 in 2024. THE measures teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook.
| Year | Stockholm University THE World Rank |
|---|---|
| 2026 | #201-250 |
| 2025 | #191 |
| 2024 | #185 |
Over three editions, Stockholm has slipped one band, moving from a single-number rank (#185) into a 50-position bracket. The shift reflects a 2026 change in how THE calculates ranks. The new formula gives more weight to industry income, where Stockholm scores below peers like Karolinska and Uppsala.
What it signals: The 16-position drop from #185 to the lower edge of the #201-250 band still keeps Stockholm inside the global top 8 percent of THE-ranked universities. The Master’s degree continues to carry a recognised research-led signal.
Stockholm University ARWU (Shanghai) Rankings 2025
Stockholm University ranks #100 globally on ARWU (Shanghai) 2025, its best result among the four global bodies. ARWU rewards Nobel Prize alumni, Nature and Science publications and Highly Cited Researchers.
| Year | Stockholm University ARWU Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #100 |
| 2024 | #101-150 |
| 2023 | #98 |
| 2022 | #90 |
| 2021 | #74 |
The 5-year arc shows a 26-position slide from #74 in 2021 to #100 in 2025, with a single dip into the #101-150 band before recovering. The 2024 band drop and 2025 single-number recovery point to one or two Highly Cited Researcher reclassifications, not a structural research decline.
India-relevance: No Indian university appears inside the ARWU 2025 top 500. For any research-led Master’s or PhD applicant, Stockholm’s #100 places it in a tier Indian institutes have not reached this edition.
Stockholm University U.S. News Best Global Rankings 2025-2026
Stockholm University ranks #193 globally on U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025-2026. This is the only one of the four global agencies to place it inside the top 200 but outside the top 150. U.S. News uses citation indicators, regional reputation and international research collaboration.
Compared to its ARWU #100, the U.S. News #193 sits 93 positions lower. The gap reflects the heavier weight U.S. News places on regional (largely US-based) reputation polls.
India-relevance: For Indian applicants planning a US doctoral pivot after a Stockholm Master’s, the U.S. News #193 is a fair benchmark. For European employer recognition, the ARWU #100 and QS #167 carry more weight.
Stockholm University Subject Rankings 2026
Stockholm University is ranked inside the QS global top 50 in four subjects and the THE global top 100 in three subjects. ARWU places it #18 worldwide in Environmental Science and Engineering, its single highest subject result.
Subject ranks are the strongest case Stockholm makes to Indian Master’s applicants.
Stockholm University Subject Rank Highlights
- QS top 50: Social Policy (#30), Environmental Sciences (#35), Sociology (#38), Geography (#46).
- THE top 100: Law (#82), Social Sciences (#87), Life Sciences (#91).
- ARWU GRAS top 20: Environmental Science and Engineering (#18).
- Subject vs overall gap: Social Policy #30 is 137 positions ahead of the overall QS #167, the widest gap inside Stockholm’s portfolio.
Stockholm University QS Subject Rankings 2026
Four QS subjects sit inside the global top 50, with Social Policy and Administration at #30 the headline result.
| Subject | QS World Rank 2026 |
|---|---|
| Social Policy and Administration | #30 |
| Environmental Sciences | #35 |
| Sociology | #38 |
| Geography | #46 |
| Natural Sciences (broad area) | #91 |
Four QS subjects inside the global top 50 with the strongest at #30 give Stockholm a sharper specialist profile than its #167 overall suggests. For Indian Master’s applicants, Social Policy and Environmental Sciences are the two clearest reasons to pick Stockholm over peer European options at similar fee levels.
Key insight: The 137-position lift from #167 overall to #30 Social Policy is the single sharpest subject-vs-overall gap in Stockholm’s QS profile.
Stockholm University THE Subject Rankings 2026
Three THE subjects sit inside the global top 100, with Law at #82 the strongest result.
| Subject | THE World Rank 2026 |
|---|---|
| Law | #82 |
| Social Sciences | #87 |
| Life Sciences | #91 |
| Physical Sciences | #101-125 |
| Arts and Humanities | #126-150 |
| Education Studies | #151-175 |
| Psychology | #151-175 |
| Business and Economics | #176-200 |
| Computer Science | #401-500 |
Law #82, Social Sciences #87 and Life Sciences #91 all sit inside the THE global top 100. All three sit roughly 110 positions above the overall #201-250 band. Computer Science #401-500 is the outlier and the single best reason an engineering or CS Indian applicant should look elsewhere.
Stockholm University ARWU Subject Rankings 2025
Environmental Science and Engineering at #18 is Stockholm’s single strongest subject rank across any body.
| Subject | ARWU GRAS Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Engineering | #18 |
| Atmospheric Science | #32 |
| Earth Sciences | #50 |
| Oceanography | #50 |
| Geography | #51-75 |
| Political Sciences | #51-75 |
| Sociology | #51-75 |
| Physics | #76-100 |
Environmental Science and Engineering at #18 worldwide is Stockholm’s single strongest subject rank, 82 positions ahead of its ARWU overall #100. The cluster of Earth, Atmospheric and Oceanographic ranks inside the top 50 signals concentrated research depth in climate-and-environment fields. This is a useful match for Indian applicants targeting climate-policy or sustainability careers.
Stockholm University Regional Rankings
Stockholm University maintains firm positions in regional rankings, anchored by its European research footprint and #4 ranking inside Sweden.
| Regional Ranking | Stockholm University Rank |
|---|---|
| QS Europe Rankings 2026 | #66 in Europe |
| QS Northern Europe 2026 | #38 |
| THE Europe 2025 | #86 |
| ARWU Europe 2025 | #32 |
The 54-position gap between ARWU Europe #32 and THE Europe #86 mirrors the global pattern. Research-led rankings favour Stockholm more than rankings that weight teaching and industry income. For Indian applicants choosing among Nordic universities, the QS Northern Europe #38 is the most useful peer benchmark.
Stockholm University Rankings: Indian Student Outlook
The Stockholm University ranking for Indian students reads differently across subjects. Social-science, environmental and law disciplines do more to shape the application case than the overall world rank.
Indian Master’s students at Stockholm most commonly enrol in these programs, each tied to one of the university’s highest-ranked disciplines:
- Master’s in Environmental Science: Pairs with ARWU #18 Environmental Science and Engineering and QS #35 Environmental Sciences.
- Master’s in Social Policy or Sociology: Pairs with QS #30 Social Policy and QS #38 Sociology.
- Master’s in Banking and Finance: Pairs with THE Business and Economics #176-200, lower than the social-science cluster.
- Master’s in Computer and Systems Sciences: Pairs with THE Computer Science #401-500, the weakest portfolio fit.
- Master’s in International and Comparative Law: Pairs with THE Law #82 and Collegedunia Study Abroad Law #97 globally.
| Ranking Signal | Stockholm Rank | India Comparator |
|---|---|---|
| QS World 2027 | #167 | IIT Delhi #118 (engineering generalist; not a like-for-like) |
| ARWU 2025 | #100 | No Indian university inside the ARWU 2025 top 500 |
| QS Social Policy 2026 | #30 | No Indian entry inside the QS Social Policy global top 50 |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | #105 globally, #4 in Sweden | India-weighted index; aligns with mid-tier US public research peers |
Stockholm University Indian Outlook: Key Signals
- Subject vs overall gap: Stockholm’s #30 Social Policy sits 137 positions ahead of its overall QS #167, the single biggest reason an Indian Master’s applicant in policy or sociology should shortlist it.
- Research signal: An ARWU #100 in an edition where no Indian university makes the top 500 means a Stockholm research-led Master’s carries citation weight an Indian degree currently does not.
- Volatility signal: QS rank has moved 49 positions over five years, but every edition has stayed inside the top 200; alumni-brand impact for Indian graduates is limited.
- Practical filter: If your shortlist is climate, environment, public policy, sociology or law, Stockholm earns its place; if it is computer science or engineering, the ranks tell a clear no.
Across QS, THE, ARWU, U.S. News and Collegedunia Study Abroad, Stockholm University rankings settle around a 5-body mean of roughly #155. Subject-level peaks at #18 (ARWU Environmental Science) and #30 (QS Social Policy) carry the real signal for Indian Master’s applicants picking by discipline. For social-science, environment, climate-policy and law programs, the discipline-level numbers matter more than the overall world rank.
Stockholm University Ranking FAQs
Ques. What is the QS ranking of Stockholm University in 2027?
Ans. Stockholm University is ranked #167 in QS World University Rankings 2027. This is a drop of 20 positions from its 2026 result of #147, and 49 positions below its 5-year peak of #118 in 2024.
Ques. What is Stockholm University’s THE ranking for 2026?
Ans. Stockholm University sits in the #201-250 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. This is one band lower than its 2025 position of #191, reflecting the 2026 change in how THE calculates ranks.
Ques. Which subject is Stockholm University best ranked in?
Ans. Stockholm University’s highest single subject result is #18 in Environmental Science and Engineering on ARWU GRAS 2025. Within QS Subject Rankings 2026, its highest is #30 in Social Policy and Administration.
Ques. Where does Stockholm University rank in Sweden?
Ans. Stockholm University is ranked #4 in Sweden on Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 and #4 nationally on QS. It sits behind Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University in most Sweden-level rankings.
Ques. How does Stockholm University rank for Indian students compared to IITs?
Ans. On overall QS World University Rankings 2027, IIT Delhi at #118 sits 49 positions above Stockholm’s #167, but this is an engineering-led comparison. In ARWU 2025, no Indian university appears inside the top 500, so Stockholm’s #100 places it well ahead of every Indian peer on that body.
Ques. What is Stockholm University’s ARWU Shanghai ranking?
Ans. Stockholm University ranks #100 globally on ARWU (Shanghai) 2025. This is the university’s best result of the four global bodies and its highest position since recovering from the 2024 band drop into #101-150.
Ques. What is the U.S. News ranking of Stockholm University?
Ans. Stockholm University is ranked #193 globally on U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025-2026. The number sits 93 positions below its ARWU #100, reflecting U.S. News’s heavier weight on regional and U.S.-based reputation polls.










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