Exeter subjects ranked amongst very best in the world

The annual QS World University Rankings, published today (March 22), has placed the University in the top 20 for Geography, top 50 for History and English Language and Literature and top 100 institutions globally for Archaeology, Psychology, Environmental Sciences and Politics and International Studies.

Exeter now features amongst the world's elite institutions in 18 of the 42 subjects featured in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with at least one top 100 subject in each QS 'faculty'. Archaeology, Accounting, Geography, Physics and Medicine all scored higher than they did last year.

Commenting on Geography’s rise to the ranking of 18th in the world this year, and the ranking of Psychology and Environmental Sciences in the top 100, Professor Dan Charman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, said: “We are extremely pleased to be recognised in the top 100 across the majority of our subject areas and it is a fantastic achievement to be in the top 20 with Geography. The latest rankings show that we are now competing with some of the world’s top departments and are testament to the leading work by staff and students across the College.”

Professor Andrew Thorpe, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean in the College of Humanities, said the inclusion of History and English Language and Literature in the top 50 and Archaeology in the top 100 demonstrated continued and well-deserved excellence in the Humanities at Exeter.

“We are totally committed to pursuing world-class research and education. These latest rankings are testament to the ability, hard work and dedication of our staff and students. Working together, and with the support of the University, we will continue to invest in the Humanities to build towards a global reputation for the very highest levels of excellence,” he said.

To compile the rankings, QS evaluated 4,226 universities, qualified 2,691 and ranked 945 institutions in total. Over 113 million citations attributions were analysed and we verified the provision of over 15,530 programmes.

The news comes after the University was named in the Times Higher Education global 100 for the first time, and in a year in which Exeter is the Times and Sunday Times Sports University of the Year, in recognition of excellence in research, education and on the sports field.