(Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th) Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has placed its Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies program among the global top 100, ranking 51-100th in the 2026 QS subject rankings. This milestone achievement places UBD among the world's leading academic institutions in Islamic studies and demonstrates its growing global academic influence.
UBD is committed to promoting Islamic studies as a dynamic and evolving field, actively engaging in discussions on contemporary issues relating to society, policy, and global dialogue.
UBD's Islamic studies is centered on the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), which serves as a key institutional pillar driving interdisciplinary research in areas such as civilization history, governance, contemporary society, and Islamic psychology.
The center offers postgraduate research programs as well as the university-wide compulsory module "Islamic Civilization and the Modern World," which aligns with Brunei's national Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy. Cross-faculty collaboration further enhances this work, ensuring that UBD's Islamic academic research can be applied to real-world challenges in fields such as policy, health, economy, and society.
According to QS analysis, between 2019 and 2023, UBD published Scopus-indexed works in theology-related fields. These publications primarily focused on Islam, but also included broader religious academic research covering other religious traditions.
The research areas cover society, governance, contemporary systems, and global religious thought, extending into fields such as social sciences and health. This demonstrates UBD’s multidisciplinary approach and its ability to apply Islamic scholarship to real-world challenges.
In the field of theology, QS ranked 550 institutions globally, of which only 150 participated in the ranking and had results published. Therefore, UBD’s placement within the global top 100 is a noteworthy achievement.
For academic reputation in theology, UBD ranks 42nd globally, entering the global top 50. This highlights UBD's outstanding standing in the international academic community.
Among Southeast Asian universities, only 12 institutions received rankings in this field, with UBD ranking 6th in the region, excelling in both academic and employer reputation.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kifli stated that this recognition reflects the enduring value of Islamic knowledge in today’s world. “The teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah have continued to guide societies throughout different times and contexts. As global challenges evolve, there is a growing need to delve into the application of these teachings across various disciplines. UBD will remain committed to advancing Islamic studies in a way that is both rooted in tradition and oriented toward the future.” This recognition consolidates UBD's status as a globally minded university, dedicated to advancing knowledge that is both grounded in its own context and forward-looking.
UBD is committed to promoting Islamic studies as a dynamic and evolving field, actively engaging in discussions on contemporary issues relating to society, policy, and global dialogue.
UBD's Islamic studies is centered on the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), which serves as a key institutional pillar driving interdisciplinary research in areas such as civilization history, governance, contemporary society, and Islamic psychology.
The center offers postgraduate research programs as well as the university-wide compulsory module "Islamic Civilization and the Modern World," which aligns with Brunei's national Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy. Cross-faculty collaboration further enhances this work, ensuring that UBD's Islamic academic research can be applied to real-world challenges in fields such as policy, health, economy, and society.
According to QS analysis, between 2019 and 2023, UBD published Scopus-indexed works in theology-related fields. These publications primarily focused on Islam, but also included broader religious academic research covering other religious traditions.
The research areas cover society, governance, contemporary systems, and global religious thought, extending into fields such as social sciences and health. This demonstrates UBD’s multidisciplinary approach and its ability to apply Islamic scholarship to real-world challenges.
In the field of theology, QS ranked 550 institutions globally, of which only 150 participated in the ranking and had results published. Therefore, UBD’s placement within the global top 100 is a noteworthy achievement.
For academic reputation in theology, UBD ranks 42nd globally, entering the global top 50. This highlights UBD's outstanding standing in the international academic community.
Among Southeast Asian universities, only 12 institutions received rankings in this field, with UBD ranking 6th in the region, excelling in both academic and employer reputation.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kifli stated that this recognition reflects the enduring value of Islamic knowledge in today’s world. “The teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah have continued to guide societies throughout different times and contexts. As global challenges evolve, there is a growing need to delve into the application of these teachings across various disciplines. UBD will remain committed to advancing Islamic studies in a way that is both rooted in tradition and oriented toward the future.” This recognition consolidates UBD's status as a globally minded university, dedicated to advancing knowledge that is both grounded in its own context and forward-looking.