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Sociology at York places within the world top 150

Posted on 23 April 2024

Sociology at York has retained its position within the world top 150 according to the latest release of the QS World University Rankings by subject (2024).

This week, York’s Department of Sociology reconfirmed its place among the world’s most highly regarded departments for the subject of sociology. This subject was ranked in the top 150 in the world by QS World University Rankings (2024).

Published annually, QS World University Rankings assess over 50 subjects, at over 1,400 universities, on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. 

Professor Nik Brown, Head of the Department of Sociology, said:

“Sociology at York is proud to have retained its QS Ranking position in the world's top 150 for the subject. 

We are also world recognised leaders in research ranking 4th overall and 1st for real world impact in the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. We have been successful in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 who have ranked us 10th in the UK for Criminology and 11th in the UK for Sociology. For 2024, York Sociology has risen 9 places to 14th (of 102) in the Complete University Guide. We are placed in the top 100 (51-75) in the Shanghai global rankings of academic subjects.”

York's overall position

In total, three subjects at the University of York were ranked in the top 50 globally:

  • Archaeology (26th= globally)
  • English Language and Literature (34th globally)
  • Social Policy and Administration (39th globally)

Four more were ranked in the top 100 in the world:

  • History (top 100 globally)
  • Performing Arts (top 100 globally)
  • Linguistics (81st= globally)
  • Education (60th= globally)

In the broad subject of Arts and Humanities we were ranked 79th= globally.