Two UK universities are in the top 10 universities in the world for pharmacy, according to a new ranking published this week.
The QS World University Rankings published its 2026 subject list with pharmacy and pharmacology listed together.
University College London (UCL) remained in the top 10 from the previous year and is the highest ranked UK pharmacy school at number three in the world.
The University of Nottingham’s came in at number eight, with this achievement coming as it celebrates 100 years since establishing its pharmacy school.
The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London were also in the top 10 but ranked for their pharmacology studies as they don’t have pharmacy schools.
Pride
UCL School of Pharmacy director Professor Cate Whittlesea said the recognition “reflects the excellence of our research and education” and its contributions to “improving health outcomes globally”.
She said its researchers contribute to advances in drug discovery, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, and medicines optimisation and its shaping policy, practice and innovation in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
“This result is a testament to our colleagues and students and is an achievement we can all take pride in as we continue to shape the future of pharmacy and pharmacological sciences,” she added.
Remarkable
Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy head Professor Barrie Kellam said the achievement is a “remarkable moment” and represents “a century of hard work, curiosity and commitment”.
The university research new medicines, nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery and space pharmacy.
“It speaks to the impact our staff, students and alumni are making across the world as they improve health and push forward advances in pharmaceutical science,” Kellam said.
It comes as the University of Sunderland was ranked the number one UK university for pharmacy and pharmacology by The Guardian in September.
C+D exclusively spoke to Nottingham’s Dr Li Shean Toh, the “queen of space pharmacy”, about this area of research and how it can evolve “medicines development from Earth to space, and space to Earth”
