The subject rankings are powered by Clarivate™. Clarivate provided the data and metrics used in the rankings, and the bibliometric data was based on the Web of Science.
These subject-specific rankings – which are not of academic majors, departments or specific schools at universities, such as business or medical schools – are based on academic research performance in those subjects. U.S. News used various bibliometric measures, including publications and citations, as well as indicators for global and regional reputation in each specific subject.
In many cases, institutions with a strong focus on a certain subject were ranked in that subject but excluded from the overall Best Global Universities ranking.
Please keep in mind that a school’s Best Global Universities ranking should be one consideration – not the lone determinant – in where a student applies. The rankings assess academic research and reputation, but personal considerations, including location, campus culture, strength of particular programs, and cost, are also very important considerations.
In total, 21,950 universities are ranked in 51 subjects in the 2024-2025 rankings, which is a 27.6% increase from the 17,200 ranked in the previous edition.
Many universities appear in more than one subject ranking.
Table: Ranking indicator and weights used to compute the subject rankings (For Microbiology)
| Ranking indicator | Weights used in the hard sciences with 11 ranking factors |
| Global research reputation | 12.50% |
| Regional research reputation | 12.50% |
| Publications | 15% |
| Normalized citation impact | 10% |
| Total citations | 15% |
| Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited | 10% |
| Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited | 5% |
| Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field | 5% |
| Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers | 5% |
| International collaboration – relative to country | 5% |
| International collaboration | 5% |
The microbiology category comprises studies dealing with the biology and biochemistry of protozoa and microorganisms. Covering topics that range from the medical implications of organisms known to cause diseases to the biotechnology applications of microorganisms for basic science and clinical use, publications within this category focus on the study of microscopic organisms.
These are the top 10 microbiology universities in the world.
- Harvard University
- University of Oxford
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Hong Kong
- University of California San Diego
- Utrecht University
- University of Washington Seattle
- Cornell University
- KU Leuven
- Imperial College London
Read Also: Top 10 Microbiology Universities in the USA (Updated 2024)
Interesting Science Videos
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
Subject Score: 100.0
The Microbiology department harbors a collaborative scientific community whose members share a passion for microbes and scientific exploration. We are uncovering the mechanisms used by diverse microbes to survive in nature and to interact with host organisms. Our research ranges from understanding fundamental biological mechanisms to addressing specific infectious disease challenges that are critical for human health.
2. University of Oxford
Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD, United Kingdom
Subject Score: 84.5
Oxford’s contribution to infectious disease has been enormous. Penicillin and the related cephalosporin antibiotics were discovered and developed here. More recently Oxford has played a key role in the introduction of artemisinin-related drugs for malaria and in the development of new vaccines for bacterial meningitis and Ebola.
Oxford is rated the top University in the UK in the area of Infection and Immunity. It has a strong core of microbiological expertise ranging from fundamental through to translational research and clinical trials. Areas of strength in basic research include microbial structure-function relationships, aspects of viral, bacterial and parasite pathogenesis, and interaction of pathogens with the immune system including immune evasion strategies. Areas of strength in translational research include study of the mucosal microbiota in health and disease, development of vaccines against parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens and screening for novel drugs against viral infections. Much translation research is done in Oxford’s Tropical Medicine research units in Africa and Asia. Microbiology research is performed in a number of University Departments including the Nuffield Department of Medicine, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Paediatrics and Biochemistry. Institutes include the Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine, the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, the Jenner Institute and the Institute for Vaccine Design.
Researchers in Oxford form part of the MRC Centre for Genomics and Global Health, an international collaboration that integrates genomic and population genetic data with clinical and epidemiological data to understand and combat globally important infectious diseases.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
Subject Score: 82.2
The MIT Microbiology Graduate PhD Program is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary program representing all aspects of microbiological research. There are over 50 faculty from various MIT departments and divisions who study or use microbes in significant ways in their research.
4. University of Hong Kong
Pok Ful Lam Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Subject Score: 81.0
The Department of Microbiology is actively involved in research, teaching, and clinical service in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. They are a team of clinicians and basic scientists committed to conducting cutting-edge clinical and basic research in microbiology and training the next generation of scientists in this field. They provide undergraduate training in microbiology for the medical, nursing, dental, and pharmacology curricula. Their clinical staff run the Postgraduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (PDipID) programme for training of medical practitioners in the field. They are also actively involved in new service development and microbiologist training at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen.
5. University of California San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
Subject Score: 79.0
The Microbiology major encompasses a wide range of topics from human health to biotechnology, synthetic biology to microbiomes, and biofuels to bioremediation. This major provides students with a solid background in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology and basic microbiology, and then allows them to tailor their studies for an emphasis in general, medical, biotechnological, or environmental microbiology. The Microbiology major provides a foundation for careers in a variety of fields including healthcare, epidemiology, clinical diagnostics, food microbiology, microbial fermentation, environmental testing, health and environmental public policy, biotechnology, bioenergy, and biomanufacturing. The Microbiology major will also provide an excellent foundation for graduate studies in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, biotechnology, and related fields, as well as for medical, dental, nursing, veterinary and pharmacy school.
6. Utrecht University
P.O Box 80125, Utrecht 3508 TC, Netherlands
Subject Score: 73.9
The Microbiology group researches the development, properties and applications of micro-organisms on a molecular and organism level in a variety of themes. For more information, please explore the research topics below.
- Behavior Manipulating Fungi
- Fungi in Biotechnology and Sustainability
- Fungal Genomics
- Fungal Infections
- Fungal Infections
- Fungal Transport
- Bacterial Infections and Recalcitrance
7. University of Washington Seattle
Seattle, WA 98195, United States
Subject Score: 73.7
The UW Department of Microbiology was founded in 1915 and the first Ph.D. was awarded in 1930. It quickly became and still remains one of the premier biological science departments in the country. The department has a national reputation for high quality teaching and an international reputation for excellence in research. The department is in the School of Medicine but it is responsible for an undergraduate microbiology major, and a graduate program. More than 30 departmental faculty serve as graduate student research advisors. While the majority of faculty members have research laboratories within the South Lake Union Campus and at the Health Sciences Building, several faculty work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and at the Northwest Regional Primate Research Center.
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
Subject Score: 71.6
Research in the Department of Microbiology, Cornell University is internationally recognized and focused on diverse aspects of microbial biological processes, with specific expertise in:
- molecular genetics and gene regulation
- microbial cell biology, and genome evolution
- host/microbe interactions and co-phylogeny
- pathogens and pathogenicity
- bioremediation
- globally relevant, microbially mediated ecosystem functions
- (meta)genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics
9. KU Leuven
Oude Markt 13 – bus 5005, Leuven 3000, Belgium
Subject Score: 69.4
The Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation consists of several research groups. The central themes of microbiology (infections), immunity (defence against infections) and transplantation are intrinsically interlinked, providing opportunities for complementary research activities, and creating possibilities for applications in diagnostics and therapy of emerging and therapy-resistant infections, tumours, and autoimmune diseases. The Rega Institute is part of our Department, and has a long-standing expertise in technologies for microbiological, biochemical, immunological, and cell biological in silico, in vitro, and in vivo research with the use of animal models and clinical specimens.
10. Imperial College London
Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
Subject Score: 69.0
Focus your study on all types of microorganisms and acquire theoretical and practical skills for a career in microbiology on this three-year course. Biological Sciences at Imperial aims to understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. This course focuses on all types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. You’ll learn the fundamental science of different types of microorganisms, as well as the important biotechnological, industrial, medical, food and agricultural applications. After developing your understanding of the fundamentals of microbiology, you’ll move on to advanced study. Here, you can tailor the course to your interests and complete a research project that’s laboratory, data or field-based. Your teaching will be enriched by an internationally leading research programme, with teaching delivered through laboratory work, lectures, tutorials, seminars and site visits.
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Reference
Top microbiology schools in the world – US News Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/microbiology
