The Courtauld Institute is the world’s top institution for the study of History of Art, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026 published today.
The Courtauld secured the number one spot out of fifty institutions worldwide. This outstanding achievement reflects the Courtauld’s long-standing position as a leading global centre for the visual arts, with an unwavering commitment to delivering academic excellence and a cutting-edge curriculum.
The Courtauld, founded in 1932 by philanthropist and collector Samuel Courtauld, is an internationally renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history, conservation and curation, and is home to one of the world’s greatest art collections.
The QS World University Rankings serve as a highly regarded source of comparative data on university performance, evaluating institutions on five indicators: academic and employer reputation, research citations per paper, H-index, and international research network.
The number one world ranking follows the announcement of the Courtauld’s plan to create a new state-of-the-art campus at Somerset House in London, set to open in 2029. This major milestone in the Courtauld’s history will see a once-in-a-generation transformation and expansion of its historic Grade I listed building in the North Wing of Somerset House, including flexible, modern teaching spaces, a new lecture theatre, and a spectacular library within Somerset House’s historic subterranean vaults. The new campus will open directly onto the Strand, connecting the Courtauld to an exciting new cultural and intellectual quarter in the heart of the city, alongside its partner King’s College London.
The development comes at a time when the Courtauld is expanding into new areas of teaching and research, increasing its focus on global geographies such as the Americas, the African diaspora and the arts of Asia. The Courtauld has also recently launched a series of new MA programmes, including an MA Art Business and MA Curating, as it seeks to meet the evolving needs of students and the professional art world.
The Courtauld also announced a commitment to work with national education and philanthropic partners to broaden access to art history for secondary school children in the UK in the lead-up to the opening of the new campus, enriching the Courtauld’s existing work in broadening access to its collection and teaching for young people.
Professor Mark Hallett, Märit Rausing Director of the Courtauld, said: “This ranking by QS is a testament to the dedication, excellence, and enthusiasm of our faculty, staff and students and the extraordinary impact the Courtauld has on the wider arts and culture sector. As the Courtauld approaches its centenary, we are continuing to push the boundaries of research and teaching and are deeply committed to expanding access to art history across the UK, building on Samuel Courtauld’s founding mission of ‘art for all’”.
Find out more about the QS World University Rankings 2026.
