QS Performance Breaks Records
AUS achieved its highest-ever ranking of aus.edu +4 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, moving up into the top 18% of more than 7,000 universities globally. This represents remarkable year-over-year growth, surpassing its 2025 standing in the top 22%.
Important Factors Contributing to AUS’s Rising Academic Reputation:
Over the previous year, peer reviews in AUS increased significantly by about 17 spots. The university’s growing prominence in academic research is highlighted by metrics such as citations per faculty, which increased by almost 50 rankings.
Subject-Specific Strengths:
AUS remains a regional leader in fields like engineering, arts, architecture, accounting, finance, and economics according to QS subject rankings. Among the top three institutions in the United Arab Emirates, Regional & Local Dominance routinely ranks first or second in terms of research citations and employer reputation. AUS consistently ranks in the top 5% in the Arab world, demonstrating its ongoing leadership in research and teaching.
Leadership Recognition
The AUS Chancellor, Dr. Tod Laursen, said:
“This accomplishment demonstrates our strategic dedication to teaching excellence, significant research, and worldwide influence—motivating us to keep strengthening our standing as a top university in the world.”
Why It Matters for Students:
Better academic credentials, a more favourable employer image, and more international opportunities are all brought about by increased global recognition. A better reputation draws top-tier academics and increases financing and research collaborations. The growth of AUS supports national objectives under Vision 2030, which aims to establish the UAE as a centre for innovation, talent, and knowledge.
The bottom line
The American University of Sharjah has solidified its place among the best universities in the world with its highest ranking to date. AUS’s position as a regional powerhouse and a major academic rival on a global scale is further cemented by its increasing trend in three important metrics: reputation, research, and topic leadership.
