The University of Pécs Medical School has been recognized once again as the best medical school outside Budapest in the latest international, subject-focused university rankings by Times Higher Education (THE). Just like last year, Pécs Medical School secured a position among the top 500 in this prestigious ranking. In the recently published Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking, the University of Pécs also entered the top 300.
According to the ranking released this week, UPMS holds the 452nd position in the 2026 ranking, demonstrating progress in research excellence and industry engagement. THE’s latest ranking places the University of Debrecen at 538th, the University of Szeged at 571st, while Semmelweis University ranks 184th. University of Pécs Medical School has maintained its 2025 standing, where it was recognized last year as the best medical school outside the capital.
As stated on the ranking’s website, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026 methodology evaluates universities across 11 academic fields, based on an enhanced version of the overall methodology of the World University Rankings 2026. The assessment uses 18 performance indicators grouped into five core pillars.
The teaching pillar evaluates universities based on teaching reputation, student-to-staff ratio, the proportion of postgraduate and undergraduate students, number of doctorate-holding staff, and institutional income. The research environment focuses on research reputation, research income, and the productivity of scientific output. Research excellence is assessed through citation impact, research strength, quality of research, and academic influence. The industry income pillar measures the economic and innovation links of institutions, based on income from industry collaborations and patents. Finally, the international outlook evaluates the proportion of international students and staff, as well as the extent of international co-authorship.
Quacquarelli Symonds: PTE Advances
In the London-based Quacquarelli Symonds’ regional European university ranking published Wednesday, University of Pécs moved up to 292nd place this year, following 325th two years ago and 314th last year. Pécs again achieved the highest ranking among Hungarian universities in the categories of learning experience and international student diversity. The most notable improvements were in sustainability and the proportion of students participating in international exchange programs.
“If international comparisons continue to place the University of Pécs higher, it is positive feedback for us and an indication that we are heading in the right direction. At the same time, we cannot become complacent, as there are still disciplines where we can perform even better. That is what we will continue to work on,” said Dr Tamás Fedeles, Vice-Rector for Education at the University of Pécs.
Photo:
Dávid Verébi