QS Rankings 2027: Pakistani Universities Fail to Reach Global Top 350

Pakistani universities have once again failed to secure a place among the world’s top 350 institutions in the QS Rankings 2027. The latest rankings show a decline for the country’s two highest-ranked universities. As a result, concerns have grown about Pakistan’s progress in global higher education.
According to the rankings, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) dropped from 354th position to 381st place. Similarly, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) fell from 371st to 384th place. Therefore, both universities missed the opportunity to enter the top 350 this year.

Some Universities Improve Their Standing

Despite the decline of leading institutions, several Pakistani universities improved their rankings. In total, 18 universities from Pakistan secured positions among 1,504 institutions ranked worldwide. This performance reflects progress in certain areas of the higher education sector.
The Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) recorded one of the strongest gains. The university climbed from 721st place to 560th position. In addition, COMSATS University Islamabad improved from 664th to 639th place.
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad also moved higher in the rankings. It improved from 654th position to 629th place. These improvements highlight efforts by some institutions to strengthen academic performance and research output.

Challenges Remain for Higher Education

Several major universities, however, moved down the rankings. Punjab University slipped from 542nd place to 588th position. Likewise, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) dropped from 555th to 608th place.
The QS Rankings 2027 also revealed regional disparities in higher education. Among universities in Sindh, only the University of Karachi secured a place in the rankings. Meanwhile, no university from Balochistan appeared on the global list.
The latest results highlight both progress and challenges for Pakistan’s higher education sector. While some universities improved their standing, the absence of any institution in the top 350 remains a concern. Experts believe greater investment in research, innovation and international collaboration will help universities improve their global competitiveness in the years ahead.