The QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art & Design is widely regarded as a major international benchmark in art and design education. Rather than a simple list, it maps where influential creative work is produced today, and inclusion in the ranking is already a significant achievement. MOME was nominated by respondents to QS reputation surveys conducted in late 2024 and early 2025. This carries particular weight, as academic and employer reputation are among the strongest components, alongside research indicators and data on international collaboration.  

There is also a consciously developed institutional process behind the listing in the QS rankings. It is not administrative in nature, but the result of longer-term, coordinated work focused on activating professional networks, maintaining partnerships and alumni relations, and building international collaborations. Together, these form a system that reflects a consistent international presence. 

Inclusion in the QS rankings has two key implications. First, it reinforces the progress made in recent years, with increasing international visibility long established as a strategic priority. This is reflected in the development of English-language programmes, the expansion of its international teaching staff and professional expertise, participation in major festivals and showcases such as the Berlinale and Red Dot, and long-term collaboration with international research and education networks. 

Second, it can further accelerate these efforts, as QS remains one of the most widely referenced benchmarks in global higher education, influencing prospective student choices, shaping partnerships, and strengthening both academic and employer awareness. 

MOME’s position is also strong in a regional comparison, and signals the growing presence of Central European art and design institutions. In 2026, Prague’s UMPRUM moved up to 76th place, while the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) ranked 92nd, placing both within the top 100. The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna entered the top 50 for the first time this year at 26th, while MOME placed ahead of institutions such as Technische Universität Wien, the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, and the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Taken together, these developments indicate a stronger and more visible regional presence on the international art and design landscape, with MOME now part of that shift.