CWTS Leiden Ranking shows how often high-quality research is referenced

Medical research at Exeter hits world top 20

The University of Exeter has entered the world top 20 for Biomedical and Health Sciences, rising 12 places in an influential international ranking of the research quality of thousands of universities worldwide.

The CWTS Leiden Ranking 2019 is released today. Exeter’s rankings are based on the percentage of publications ranked in the top 10 per cent most cited, indicating that the University’s high-quality research has been referenced by other academics in major journals. Under that measure, Biomedical and Health Sciences is 16th - the highest ranked subject in Exeter, having climbed from 28th place. 

Overall, on the same measure, the University has climbed from 35th internationally to 24th, retaining last year’s place as 9th in Europe. The University is also solidly in the top 10 nationally, ranked 6th.

Professor Clive Ballard, Executive Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “I’m delighted to see our research strength recognised by these prestigious and influential global rankings. This climb reflects the fact that we’ve recruited some incredibly high-quality academics to bolster our existing strengths, and we’ve strengthened partnerships, including with the NHS, and upgraded our facilities. Congratulations to everyone involve in this phenomenal result.”

The rankings, which are based on Web of Science indexed publications from the period 2014-2017, provide a measurement of the scientific impact and performance of almost 1,000 major universities worldwide and their involvement in scientific collaboration.

Positioning within the rankings is based on the number of citations quoted in highly respected and influential journals. Exeter’s rankings are based on the percentage of publications ranked in the top 10% most cited, indicating that the University’s high quality research has been referenced by other academics in major journals.

University’s high-quality research has been referenced by other academics in major journals.

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Exeter said: “It is a wonderful achievement to experience such a significant rise in the Leiden rankings, and I am thrilled that Exeter has been recognised as being amongst the leading universities both at home and abroad. 

“To move towards the top 20, and also see both science and arts subjects perform so well, is testament to the outstanding, high-quality work that is conducted by our academic community on our Exeter and Cornwall campuses.”

Date: 15 May 2019