University of Birmingham’s Engineering and Physical Sciences subjects shine in global rankings

All five of the University’s faculty areas have improved their standing over last year’s performance in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject. Engineering & Technology is up to 10th in the UK and up 12 places to 114th in the world rankings.

Materials Science has moved up into the global top 100 and is now ranked 92nd – a rise of twelve places. It is ranked 7th in the UK. Chemical Engineering continues its rise through the global top 100 and has seen one of the most significant gains rising 19 places to 66th while also being ranked 7th in the UK. Chemistry has also risen 19 places in the global rankings to 121st and is now 13th in the UK while Computer Science jumped 14 places to 138th and is top 20 in the UK.

Physics has moved up to 10th in the UK and all of our Engineering subjects plus Mathematics are in the UK top 20.

Professor Mark Sterling, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences said: “I’m very pleased to see the survey recognises the world-class research and education across the College. All of our subjects continue to perform exceptionally well and some have soared up the rankings this year. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of the staff, and the supportive culture which they create.”

The QS World University Rankings are the most used global rankings and are a measure of a university’s global reputation.

This year’s rankings cover 54 academic disciplines, in each of which 1,597 universities are assessed. If the institution both offers the subject and produces enough research papers it will be given a score.

From these scores, a ranking table is produced to display anything from the leading 50 to the leading 500 institutions by subject. The rankings are compiled using indicators selected to assess institutions’ international reputation in each subject area, plus research impact.