BUT improved its position in global QS subject ranking in electrical engineering, civil engineering, and natural sciences

Quacquarelli Symonds, one of the three most recognized publishers of global university rankings, has released its new subject-based evaluation. Brno University of Technology (BUT) ranked in 2 main categories and 9 specialized fields, five of which are in the TOP 300, confirming or improving last year's positions. BUT strengthened its standing in the main category of Natural Sciences and the specialized field of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. For the first time, it was ranked in Civil and Structural Engineering.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 cover a total of 5 broad subject areas and within them 55 specialized fields. What do the results reveal about BUT's subject rankings?

Main Categories (Broad Subjects)

BUT ranked in two main categories. In Natural Sciences, it improved from 451–500th to 401–450th place. Among Czech institutions, it remained fourth, following Charles University, the Czech Academy of Sciences, and Czech technical university in Prague (CTU). A total of 550 institutions were ranked, with Harvard, MIT, and Oxford securing the top spots.

In the overall ranking of Engineering & Technology, BUT secured 282nd place, slightly dropping from 281st last year. Among Czech representatives, only CTU ranked higher. The ranking evaluated 551 institutions in total, with MIT, Oxford, and Stanford leading.

Specialized Fields (Narrow Subjects)

Compared to last year's eight ranked subjects, this year BUT increased its evaluated fields to nine, thanks to its placement in 201–275th place in Civil and Structural Engineering. Among the 277 classified institutions, CTU was the only Czech representative ahead of BUT. The top three were MIT, ETH Zurich, and the National University of Singapore.

BUT made a significant shift in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, jumping from 251–300th to 201–250th place. Along with CTU, it is the best Czech university in this ranking. Among 550 classified institutions, MIT, Stanford, and Berkeley held the top three positions.

By ranking 201–250/260th, BUT confirmed its high quality in Materials Sciences – best in the Czech Republic, Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering – best in the Czech Republic alongside CTU, and Architecture & Built Environment, where BUT ranked second in the Czech Republic.

BUT was among the top 699 institutions in Chemistry, maintaining its 301–350th place from last year.

401–450th place was retained by BUT in Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Systems, and Environmental Sciences, where it was the only Czech technical university ranked.

“I am pleased that BUT consistently confirms its quality in research and education in two main categories—Engineering & Technology and Natural Sciences, where we even improved by 50 places this year. It is gratifying that we maintain a stable position in the elite group of the top 300 universities globally in Engineering & Technology, where MIT, Oxford, and Stanford dominate. I am especially pleased that we expanded the group of fields ranked in the 201–250 range, where, alongside our traditional strengths in Materials Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture, we now have an improved position in Electrical Engineering and a new entry for Civil Engineering. My congratulations. I am also particularly pleased with our ranking in Environmental Sciences, a field that permeates our university with its technological solutions, making us the only Czech technical university included in this category,” commented BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček.

“We live in a transformative era, where these fields are experiencing significant changes impacting the future of industry, economy, and society. It is encouraging that international rankings confirm our university's potential to influence these changes positively. At the same time, I appreciate the opportunity to use these results to highlight the exciting future that technical fields offer to prospective students. Studying in these disciplines requires dedication, determination, and patience, but the reward is a wealth of opportunities for professional and personal growth.”

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to these achievements through long-term efforts in research, teaching, knowledge transfer to industry, or partnerships with industrial partners. I also want to thank our students, whose activities and achievements beyond academia help build the university’s strong reputation,” the Rector added.

About the Ranking

The latest edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 saw the highest number of evaluated institutions in history, increasing by 171 newcomers to a total of 1,748 institutions from 149 countries compared to 2024.

The key evaluation indicators that determine an institution’s ranking include Academic reputation, Employer reputation, Research citations per paper, the H-index (which measures a researcher’s output), and the International research network of the institution. More about the ranking methodology.

The ranking aims to provide insights to prospective students, employers, and government bodies about the quality and position of an institution.

Last year's results: QS Rankings by Subject: BUT ranked in ten categories for the first time

The text was written in cooperation with the BUT Department of Strategy.