Best universities in Australia for arts and humanities degrees 2026
Discover the Times Higher Education (THE) 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.
THE’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 THE 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.
