Development Studies QS Ranking for Universities

IDS degrees are delivered in partnership with the University of Sussex who support and accredit our teaching and learning programmes. See how we both perform in league tables, development studies rankings and impact evaluations.

Three students wearing IDS lanyards sit on an orange sofa looking at a laptop. A fourth student leans over the sofa edge. Top right is a red circle saying No.1 for Development Studies. — Photo credit: IDS

World rankings

Best in the world for development studies: The QS University Rankings 2025 ranked IDS, together with the University of Sussex, first in the world for development studies for the ninth year running. The rankings once again put Sussex top, above Harvard and Oxford. The result reflects the quality, impact and range of international development research and courses offered across the Sussex campus that includes IDS’ research and teaching programmes.