THE UNIVERSITY ranked in the 351-400 band of the 2026 edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, which measure universities’ contributions and commitment to interdisciplinary science research.
UST ranked within 251 to 300 in the 2025 edition.
It was followed by Mapúa University, which placed in the 601–800 bracket, down from its previous 501–600 ranking.
A total of 25 Philippine schools took part in the rankings, of which 23 earned “reporter” status, an increase from nine reporter schools recorded last year.
Overall participation rose to 911 universities in 94 countries, up from 749 schools in 92 countries in the previous cycle.
The survey was conducted by THE in collaboration with Schmidt Science Fellows to promote scientific excellence and encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration.
“The Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) 2026 highlight how universities worldwide are deepening their commitment to interdisciplinarity—strengthening established systems while enabling new entrants to build capacity and impact,” THE said in its report.
Higher score for UST
The rankings assessed schools’ performance in 11 metrics grouped under three pillars, each representing a stage in the research process: inputs (19%), process (16%) and outputs (65%).
Under the inputs metric, schools’ interdisciplinary science research funding (8%) and industry funding (11%) are measured. The measure of success (4%), physical facilities (4%), administrative support (4%), and promotion success (4%) make up the process criterion.
The outputs pillar, which carried the biggest weight, evaluated the volume of interdisciplinary science research publications (10%), their proportion among all publications (5%), utility outside the discipline (5%), publication quality (20%), and reputation (25%).
Despite the slip in rank, UST scored higher this year, achieving a 41.2-43.2 overall score from its previous rating of 39.8-42.5.
UST scored 66.1 in input, 66.7 in process, and 29.6 in the output metrics.
Data from Elsevier’s Scopus database and other indexed publications covering 2020 to 2024 were used to measure research output, with citation data extending to 2025. Universities needed to produce at least 100 interdisciplinary research publications to qualify for ranking.
MIT, Nanyang Tech
The United States’ Massachusetts Institute of Technology topped the global rankings for the second consecutive year, followed by other schools from the United States: Stanford University and California Institute of Technology.
Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University took fifth place and is the highest ranked university in Asia and outside of the United States.
India is the most represented country in the ranking, with 88 institutions ranked.
For this year’s rankings, the interdisciplinary scope was broadened to cover any research project that comprises multiple scientific disciplines, or one or more scientific disciplines combined with one or more of the following non-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines: social sciences, education, psychology, law, economics, or medical and health, THE said.
