QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

The QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2024 have been released, offering an extensive overview of the global academic landscape across a diverse range of disciplines. These rankings are highly anticipated each year as they provide key insights into the performance and reputation of universities worldwide, helping prospective students, academics, and researchers make informed decisions.

Introduction to QS Rankings

The QS World University Rankings by Subject assesses universities based on a combination of academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, and more. This comprehensive evaluation involves gathering data from global surveys and reputable databases like Scopus to ensure the rankings are both reliable and robust.

The Ranking Process and Methodology

The QS rankings are determined through a methodical process that includes several key performance indicators. These indicators are:

• Academic Reputation: Based on a global survey, it reflects the views of academics regarding the best institutions for research.
• Employer Reputation: This indicator assesses the views of employers on institutions providing the best professionals.
• Research Citations Per Paper and H-index: These metrics evaluate the impact and productivity of the published work of institutions, providing a measure of the research quality and breadth.

For 2024, QS has introduced enhancements to its methodology by incorporating new metrics such as Sustainability, Employment Outcomes, and International Research Network, acknowledging the evolving dynamics in higher education.

Expansion in Rankings

A noteworthy feature of the 2024 rankings is the significant expansion in the scope of evaluated institutions. The rankings now encompass more than 1,600 institutions globally—an increase from previous years. This expansion is particularly notable in specialized and emerging fields such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the rapid growth and importance of these disciplines in current and future academic and professional landscapes.

Global Academic Leaders

The top ten institutions worldwide continue to demonstrate academic excellence and robust research outputs:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. Stanford University
3. Harvard University
4. University of Oxford
5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
6. ETH Zurich
7. University of Cambridge
8. University College London (UCL)
9. Imperial College London
10. University of Chicago

These universities consistently excel across multiple indicators, setting high standards for both academic and practical applications of knowledge.

Notable Global Entries and Achievements

The 2024 edition has recognized a range of new entrants, with 805 institutions making their debut in subject-specific and faculty area rankings. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Mainland China have added the largest number of new institutions, reflecting their extensive and diverse higher education systems. Notably, Mainland China leads with eight new institutions ranked for the first time, followed by France with six, and India with five. Additionally, the Université de Tunis El Manar from Tunisia has marked its debut, illustrating the growing global diversity in the rankings.

India’s Rising Influence in the QS World University Rankings

Indian universities have shown remarkable progress in the 2024 QS World University Rankings, marking significant strides in global recognition and academic prestige. The increasing presence of Indian institutions highlights the country’s commitment to enhancing its educational infrastructure and research capabilities.

Indian Institutions Making Global Marks

Several Indian universities have not only improved their existing rankings but have also appeared in new categories, demonstrating broad-based excellence and specialized strengths:

• IIT Delhi remains a top contender in Engineering and Technology, consistently ranking in the global top 50.
• IIT Kanpur excels in Data Science and AI, securing a strong position thanks to its innovative research and industry partnerships.
• Chandigarh University has made impressive gains, now ranked among the top 800 globally, a testament to its growing influence and academic excellence.
• O.P. Jindal Global University is recognized as India’s top law school, reflecting its leadership in legal education.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Indian universities continue to climb the global rankings, they face challenges such as increasing international collaboration, attracting global academic talent, and enhancing research outputs. The opportunities for growth involve leveraging India’s large academic population and focusing on emerging technologies and sustainable practices to align more closely with global educational trends.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 not only highlight the excellence of longstanding global educational leaders but also emphasize the dynamic changes in the global academic landscape, including the notable rise of institutions from India and other emerging economies. This evolving diversity enriches the global academic community, fostering a competitive environment that drives institutions to continually improve and innovate.