Successes for Southampton in the latest global subject rankings

The latest QS World University Rankings by Subject demonstrate the University of Southampton’s continued success and strength as an internationally-leading institution.

The University has improved in several subject areas in the 2023 rankings, which include more than 1,500 institutions around the world.

Nursing remains a world-leading subject at Southampton – this year ranked second in the UK and sixth in the world (and in the global top 10 for the seventh successive year).

Chemistry has seen the biggest year-on-year ranking increase at Southampton, up 25 places to 126th in the world. Biological Sciences has also achieved a strong ranking increase, up 14 places to 137th.

The University has six subjects within the top 50:

·       Nursing is ranked sixth globally and second in the UK

·       Archaeology is ranked 33rd globally, and seventh in the UK

·       Statistics & Operational Research is 39th globally, and seventh in the UK

·       Earth & Marine Sciences rose four places to 39th globally, and up one place to eighth in the UK

·       Geology rose six places to 42nd globally, and up one place to eighth in the UK

·       Geophysics rose six places to 43rd globally, and up one place to eighth in the UK

Twelve subjects at Southampton are ranked within the top 100 globally. In addition to the top 50 subjects listed above, the following subjects are ranked within the 51-100 band:

·       Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing rose 12 places to 51st globally, seventh in the UK

·       Physics & Astronomy is ranked 59th

·       Medicine is ranked 62nd, a rise of nine places

·       Engineering – Electrical & Electronic is ranked 72nd

·       Engineering – Civil & Structural remains in the 51-100 band

·       Philosophy is in the 51-100 band

Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “This year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject are testament to our continued commitment, as a University, to excellence. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Southampton a sector leader in a range of subjects. These results are a true demonstration of Southampton’s position as one of the best universities in the world.”

On the University’s continued high performance in Nursing, Professor Smith added: “Nursing is a long-standing area of world-leading excellence for us at Southampton, of which we are very proud. As second in the UK and sixth in the world, our Nursing teaching and research is amongst the very best, enabling the profession to grow strong into the future.”

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are determined by factors including academic reputation, employer reputation, academic citations, and the impact of published research.

View the full rankings on the QS World University Rankings by Subject .