News

Aalto University’s art & design ranked 9th in the world

Five of Aalto’s fields placed in the top 100 in the prestigious QS ranking
Black text on yellow: “#9 in the world in art & design (QS 2026)” in bold sans serif font.

Aalto University ranked 9th globally in art and design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, published on 25 March 2026.

‘It’s wonderful that we are ranked among the best in the world! Our placement among thousands of schools is a tremendous achievement. Credit for this goes to all members of our community,’ says Tuomas Auvinen, Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

Aalto had a total of five fields ranked among the top 100. Architecture and the built environment climbed to 36th place (49th last year), while data science and artificial intelligence and mineral and mining engineering maintained their positions in the 51–100 range. Marketing was also ranked in the 51–100 range (44th last year).

The QS World University Rankings by Subject emphasize a university's reputation both in academia and among employers, while also considering research publications and citation numbers. The weight of these factors varies by subject. 

This year, more than 1,700 universities were ranked across 55 specific subjects and five broad subject areas. 

The QS World University Rankings also compare universities as a whole. In the most recent ranking, published last summer, Aalto was ranked 1st in Finland and 114th globally. 

Aalto University specializes in technology, business, and the arts, making field- and subject-specific rankings the most relevant. Depending on the criteria used, there are an estimated 17,000 to 22,000 universities worldwide. 

Read more about the ranking results

Rankings

Aalto University performs well in international university rankings. In subject-specific rankings, we place 9th globally in art & design and are in the top 100 in several other subjects.

Read more
Aalto University students enjoying sunny weather
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Abstract close-up of colourful glass with swirling patterns in orange, blue, and purple hues.
Research & Art, Studies Published:

New DPSP tool for doctoral studies to be published on 18 May

A new tool for preparing and handling the doctoral personal study plan for doctoral students and supervising professors
Group of people sit around a wooden table discussing, with large maps pinned on the wall behind them.
Research & Art Published:

How trust in digital public services is being built together with migrants in Espoo

Digital public services are not equally accessible to everyone. In Espoo, the Trust-M research project is working to bridge this gap by developing services together with migrants.
Blue e-scooter parked in marked bay on paved path
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

E-scooters are here to stay – first global study maps the state of shared micromobility

Shared e-scooters, city bikes and other small vehicles have evolved from niche experiments into a standard part of urban transport worldwide. Rather than treating micromobility as a passing trend, public authorities should take an active role in shaping its development, researchers say.
Modern light wood and metal building on a slope, surrounded by tall green trees under blue sky
Research & Art Published:

Aalto University presents circular economy solutions at the New European Bauhaus festival

The European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative will bring together leading experts and changemakers from across Europe in Brussels this June to shape a more sustainable future.