The University of Exeter's Digital Humanities Laboratory allows researchers to use high-tech equipment to discover more about the past and share their discoveries with the public.

University of Exeter among top 100 universities in the world for arts and humanities

The University of Exeter has been named as one of the best places in the world to study arts and humanities in new influential rankings.

The 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings names Exeter as among the top 100 institutions globally for subjects such as English and history thanks to outstanding teaching, research and the impact of the work of academics.

Humanities subjects are taught at the University’s campuses in Exeter and Penryn in Cornwall. There are almost 100 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in subjects including archaeology, art history and visual culture, classics and ancient history, drama, English, film studies, history, modern languages and theology and religion.

Professor Andrew Thorpe, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Humanities, said: “It is great news that we have been named as one of the top 100 places in the world at which to study and research arts and humanities. This is recognition of the outstanding teaching and world-leading research within all of the College’s disciplines, and the excellence and commitment of staff and students alike. This is a terrific result that we all share.”

The rankings use 13 indicators to compile the performance tables. Arts and humanities at the University of Exeter has been ranked as 98 in the rankings.

Ongoing research carried out by academics across arts and humanities include the history of male grooming, getting greater recognition for Spanish female writers and artists working the Franco period, female representation in UK film production, and the discovery of forgotten Lancashire poems written during a cotton famine caused by the US Civil War. Archaeologists are exploring the history of the Amazon, uncovering parts of the rainforest previously thought to be uninhabited. Experts in drama are exploring how theatre can improve wellbeing and academics in classics and ancient history are examining migration in the Roman period.

Research and teaching within the department are supported by outstanding facilities, such as the University’s Special Collections, with papers and manuscripts from writers such as Daphne Du Maurier, and The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on Streatham Campus. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of material relating to the moving image in Britain, including artefacts, papers and books. As well as the museum, film studies at Exeter boasts a pioneering partnership with the London Film School, giving students unique training in the movie industry.

The University of Exeter has also invested £1.2m in its Digital Humanities Laboratory which allows researchers to use high-tech equipment to discover more about the past and share their discoveries with the public. The state of the art research space enables the examination, perseveration and analysis of historical, literary and visual material, as well as the ability to record podcasts and videos for broadcasting.

Date: 2 November 2018