The QS Europe Rankings 2026 placed the University of Oxford first, up from third in 2025. ETH Zurich came second and remains the top-ranked university in continental Europe. Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) share third place. Universities are assessed on research quality, academic reputation, graduate employability and international engagement. The rankings are compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the publisher of the widely followed QS World University Rankings.