The University of Iceland is ranked amongst the best universities worldwide on 10 lists in individual fields of study according to the prestigious Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, and on nine comparable Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE). The lists were published last week, and the University of Iceland is the only Icelandic University to be ranked on both lists.
These lists are considered the most prestigious and most influential university rankings internationally. They have been published for years and the assessment is based on various objective indicators, including the number of articles published in renowned scientific journals, the number of times research conducted at the university has been cited by other research scientists, the university's performance based on the number of employees, as well as the number of employees receiving scientific awards for their contributions to individual fields of study. The rankings differ, however, as each Times Higher includes a broader scientific field whereas the ShanghaiRanking covers 55 academic subjects in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences, and social sciences.
The lists from the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy of the world's top universities in individual fields of study for 2023 comprises 1,900 universities worldwide. The University of Iceland is ranked on the following:
- place 22 in the field of remote sensing
- 101 -150 best in the field of nursing
- 151 -200 best in the field of earth sciences
- 151 -200 best in the field of life sciences
- 201 -300 best in the field of public health sciences
- 301 -400 best in the field of ecology
- 301 -400 best in the field of political science
- 401 -500 best in the field of human biology
- 401 -500 best in the field of educational sciences
- 401 -500 best in the field of psychology
For more information, visit the website of ShanghaiRanking.
Comparable lists from Times Higher Education comprise from a few hundred universities to over a thousand by subject. The University of Iceland is ranked on the following:
- 201 -250 best in the field of life sciences
- 301 -400 best in the field of humanities
- 301 - 400 best in the field of psychology
- 301 -400 best in the field of engineering and technology
- 301 -400 best in the field of physical sciences
- 401 -500 best in the field of educational sciences
- 401 -500 best in the field of social sciences
- 401 -500 best in the field of clinical, pre-clinical and health
- 601 -800 best in the field of business administration and economics
Further information can be found on the Times Higher Education website.
Earlier this year both Times Higher Education and ShanghaiRanking published lists of the best universities worldwide based on their overall performance. The University of Iceland was ranked number 505 on the Times HIgher Education rankings and placed between 601-700 on the ShanghaiRanking.
"The results emphasise the University of Iceland's strong global position. This is important for us on the global scene and creates various opportunities in university operations. Around 25,000 universities are currently operated in the world, which means that all of the five University Schools are ranked among the 500 best worldwide is a tremendous success. Furthermore, the rankings from ShanghaiRanking in individual academic subjects show that the University programmes and faculties are among the best in the world. This is indeed a cause for celebration," says Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland.