Best universities in Australia for arts and humanities degrees 2026
Discover the Times Higher Education (É«ºÐÖ±²¥) rankings for the best schools for arts and humanities in Australia 2026.
This list of universities reveals the top-ranked 30 institutions for arts and humanities including languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design, offering prospective students insights into the highest-ranking universities in the field.
Universities across Australia are evaluated based on teaching, research, and international outlook.
É«ºÐÖ±²¥â€™s respected rankings use a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, relied upon by students, academics, policymakers and industry leaders worldwide.
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Top universities in Australia for arts and humanities degrees 2026
| Australia Arts and Humanities Rank 2026 | Global Arts and Humanities Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
| 1 | 42 | The University of Sydney | 66.1 | 60.8 | 62.2 | 76.8 | 88 | 81.5 |
| 2 | 44 | University of Melbourne | 65.7 | 58.3 | 63.9 | 72.9 | 96.7 | 84.8 |
| 3 | 53 | Australian National University | 62.7 | 48.1 | 64.7 | 79.1 | 83.6 | 84.4 |
| 4 | =79 | Monash University | 55.6 | 46.8 | 45 | 79.9 | 97.9 | 86.2 |
| =5 | 101–125 | The University of Queensland | 47.9–51.7 | 40.8 | 35.2 | 77.9 | 83.7 | 88.8 |
| =5 | 101–125 | UNSW Sydney | 47.9–51.7 | 38.1 | 43.2 | 81.7 | 77.8 | 89.4 |
| =7 | 126–150 | Macquarie University | 44.9–47.7 | 34.6 | 37.7 | 77.2 | 92.8 | 75.3 |
| =7 | 126–150 | RMIT University | 44.9–47.7 | 36.4 | 30.6 | 76.6 | 74.1 | 88.6 |
| 9 | 176–200 | Adelaide University | 41.0–43.1 | 29 | 27.3 | 75.4 | 97.2 | 86.3 |
| =10 | 201–250 | Deakin University | 37.8–40.8 | 28.5 | 19.8 | 80.4 | 61.3 | 80.1 |
| =10 | 201–250 | James Cook University | 37.8–40.8 | 30.4 | 21.3 | 84.5 | 75.3 | 76 |
| =10 | 201–250 | La Trobe University | 37.8–40.8 | 31.1 | 20 | 78.6 | 69.7 | 81.9 |
| =10 | 201–250 | The University of Western Australia | 37.8–40.8 | 28 | 22.9 | 73.5 | 74.2 | 84 |
| =10 | 201–250 | University of Technology Sydney | 37.8–40.8 | 24.4 | 24.6 | 81.3 | 81.6 | 85.1 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Australian Catholic University | 35.4–37.7 | 30.6 | 21.7 | 73.3 | 26.9 | 70.8 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Curtin University | 35.4–37.7 | 18.9 | 18.1 | 86 | 77.9 | 94.1 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Flinders University | 35.4–37.7 | 25.5 | 18.8 | 79.9 | 59.3 | 78.8 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Griffith University | 35.4–37.7 | 23.7 | 21.2 | 79.8 | 73.4 | 76.2 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Queensland University of Technology | 35.4–37.7 | 23.5 | 20.5 | 84.7 | 67.7 | 72.5 |
| =15 | 251–300 | University of Wollongong | 35.4–37.7 | 24.8 | 19.2 | 81.4 | 64.6 | 81.8 |
| =15 | 251–300 | Western Sydney University | 35.4–37.7 | 28.1 | 21.4 | 69.5 | 61 | 80.2 |
| =22 | 301–400 | Swinburne University of Technology | 31.0–35.3 | 18.1 | 16.8 | 76.7 | 60.5 | 73.3 |
| =22 | 301–400 | University of Canberra | 31.0–35.3 | 24.8 | 18.2 | 66.3 | 77.8 | 89.5 |
| =22 | 301–400 | University of Newcastle | 31.0–35.3 | 22.8 | 18.7 | 70.6 | 52.7 | 76.2 |
| =22 | 301–400 | University of Tasmania | 31.0–35.3 | 24.8 | 18.7 | 69.2 | 50.7 | 71.6 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Charles Sturt University | 27.4–30.9 | 27.9 | 14.6 | 70.3 | 31.9 | 34.8 |
| =26 | 401–500 | The University of Notre Dame Australia | 27.4–30.9 | 23.9 | 11.8 | 74.3 | 22.8 | 67.2 |
| =26 | 401–500 | University of Southern Queensland | 27.4–30.9 | 18.7 | 13.8 | 71.6 | 40.9 | 52.1 |
| =29 | 501–600 | Edith Cowan University | 24.6–27.3 | 16.8 | 9.6 | 70.1 | 58.2 | 54.6 |
| =29 | 501–600 | University of the Sunshine Coast | 24.6–27.3 | 13.9 | 13.5 | 70.7 | 21.3 | 59.3 |
Key insights into the top universities for arts and humanities in Australia 2026
- The University of Sydney is the top university in Australia for arts and humanities programmes
- Monash University achieves a high score for its links to industry.
- There are three new entries this year: Adelaide University, James Cook University and the University of Notre Dame Australia.
- The 2026 arts and humanities ranking ranks universities in subject such as languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design.
Choosing a university for arts and humanities
Choosing an arts or humanities degree is a good choice if you're still unsure if which career you want to pursue. An arts or humanities degree allows you to continue to study a subject you enjoy while developing key analytical and communication skills that can be applied to a wide range of careers.
A popular student destination, Australia not only offers exciting career prospects, but a fulfilling, sunny and world-class education. Departments at Australian universities have been delivering world-class research for decades.
Choosing where to study the arts and humanities in Australia requires considering a range of factors including teaching and research. These rankings provide critical insights based on:
- Research environment – focuses on research reputation and productivity
- Teaching quality – the student learning experience and faculty strength
- Research quality – influence and innovation in the engineering field
- Industry collaboration – how institutions work with businesses and apply practical knowledge
- International outlook – global diversity of students and faculty
The table for the best universities for arts and humanities in Australia was derived from data collected for the É«ºÐÖ±²¥ World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Arts and Humanities. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.
