QS World Univeristy Rankings: UCD ranked number 1 in Ireland in 15 subjects – up 2 from 13 in 2019

Posted: 04 March, 2020

Strength of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences confirmed as Agriculture & Forestry joins Veterinary Science in top 50 in the world

This year’s (opens in a new window)QS World University Rankings by Subject lists 4 subjects at UCD in the top 50, 13 in the top 100 and 33 in the top 200.

In the top 50 are: 

Ranking between 51- 100 are:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Archaeology
• English Language & Literature
• Geography
• History
• Law
• Nursing
• Politics & International Studies
• Social Policy & Administration

Ranked Number 1 in Ireland are:

• Veterinary Science
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Library & Information Management
• Sports-related
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Archaeology
• Geography
• Business & Management
• Chemical Engineering
• Philosophy
• Sociology
• Architecture/Built Environment
• Environmental Sciences
• Statistics & Operational Research
• Mathematics

In measuring its ranking by subject, QS adopts a methodology that assesses four measures: academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper and H-Index, weighted differently depending on each subject.  For example, subjects such as History, command a 60% weighting on academic reputation, which depends on survey responses from peer academics in that field of expertise, while Veterinary Science places the highest weighting (30%) on citations per paper – an estimate of the impact and quality of the scientific work undertaken by faculty in that category.

Commenting on the publication of these subject rankings, the President of UCD, Professor Andrew Deeks said:

“The breadth and depth of UCD’s scholarship is apparent from the range of subjects we have listed in this the top 100.  We are consolidating our position as a leader in sustainable food production, and our focus on the One Health agenda spreads our influence across nutrition, food safety and sustainability. UCD is the only Irish university which brings together human and animal health sciences, agriculture and food sciences, and environmental and social sciences.  Our academic and research strength in this area supports our strategic theme to build a healthy world.

Across our comprehensive range of subjects we seek to imbue in our graduates a depth of subject expertise alongside an ambition to impact on and contribute to society. This motivation directly feeds into our employability reputation that places us 75th in the world, and number 1 in Ireland for the third consecutive year. And I would like to pay tribute to our faculty, who continue to excel, not just here in Ireland, but also in the international arena.” 

By Eilis O'Brien, UCD University Relations