World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Physical Sciences

The physical sciences subject ranking uses the same trusted and rigorous performance indicators as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, but the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the individual fields.

It highlights the universities that are leading across the following disciplines: mathematics and statistics, physics and astronomy, chemistry, geology, environmental sciences, and earth and marine sciences.

View the World University Rankings 2024 by subject: physical sciences methodology

The California Institute of Technology leads the physical sciences subject ranking, replacing Princeton University, which drops to joint sixth place.

The University of Cambridge is the only institution outside the US to make the top five, ranking in fifth place.

Read our analysis of the subject rankings 2024 results

View the full results of the overall World University Rankings 2024