UK holding its position but faces challenges ahead

Thirteen United Kingdom university departments were named the world’s best place to study their particular subject in the 11th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject. This is the third consecutive year in which the UK has topped 13 of QS’s subject tables.

The last year has seen a slight decrease in the number of British departments ranked in the global top 10 (135, down from 139 in 2020 and 136 in 2019). However, British universities still occupy 26% of all available top-10 positions – a share bettered only by the United States (47%).

The number of top-20 and top-50 positions held by UK institutions has increased for the second consecutive year.

Jack Moran, QS spokesperson, said: “From the University of Oxford’s essential role in coronavirus vaccine development, to the recent announcement that Imperial College London will host a new government green finance research centre, we see British universities consistently driving the research, graduate preparation and practical innovation necessary for the world to combat climate change, conquer COVID and tackle major health challenges.”

The University of Oxford is responsible for more number-one subject positions than any other UK institution: it ranks as the world leader for anatomy & physiology, English language & literature, geography, modern languages, and pharmacy & pharmacology.

The University of Cambridge has improved on its 2020 performance, in which it failed to top any of QS’s tables, now attaining number-one positions for anthropology and archaeology. It also achieves top-20 ranks in 41 subject tables – more than any university in the world.

The University of Sheffield has returned to the summit of QS’s library & information management table for the first time since 2018, usurping Canada’s University of British Columbia.

The Royal Veterinary College has regained top spot for veterinary science.

Overall, the UK is remaining resilient in the face of unique challenges and remaining at the cutting edge of research into humanity’s biggest challenges, with its higher education sector home to one-quarter of the world’s best university programmes, QS says.

Moran said: “Facing Brexit disruption, funding difficulties, the need to prepare students for success in a weakened employment market, and the immediate and long-term effects of a global pandemic, it is not unreasonable to state that the next decade will be a uniquely challenging one for all those involved in British higher education.”

However, the latest subject rankings provide “compelling evidence that the country’s universities are eminently capable of navigating these difficulties” and “continuing to play a leading role in the global response to the most urgent issues facing humanity.”