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Arts and Humanities maintains top 100 position in latest QS World University Rankings 2023

Posted on 22 March 2023

The University of York has maintained its strong showing in the latest QS World University rankings - with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities moving up six places to sit 66th globally and four subjects featuring in the top 50.

Archaeology students on a field trip

The rankings are a framework that rates universities according to their academic and employer reputation, as well as research impact. More than 1,500 institutions, across 54 subjects, are examined. 

Rankings

Globally, four of our subjects feature in the top 50: Archaeology (20), Social Policy and Administration (28), English Language and Literature (35), Education (47).

A further three subjects: History (51- 100), Linguistics (92) and Development Studies (51- 100), feature in the top 100.

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has moved up six places from last year, ranking it joint 66th globally.

Outstanding commitment

Professor Ambrose Field, Dean of the Faculty for the Arts and Humanities, welcomed the ranking.

He said: "Our academic colleagues have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to nurturing human understanding, informed dialogue and critical analysis. 

“The world is currently short on human-level solutions and arts and humanities graduates have key problem-solving and creative skills for today's challenges.

“The arts and humanities have never been more relevant than they are today. We celebrate this global ranking position and will continue to work hard to ensure that our research maintains the highest standards of scholarship and creativity, and that our teaching continues to inspire inclusive, forward-looking thinking."

Creating opportunities

Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, added: “We know that our strength in arts and humanities supports the interface between researchers across disciplines, as well as key industrial partners, which creates opportunities and new experiences that our students may never have considered before.

“I want to congratulate our colleagues in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for this year’s ranking position, as it is down to their inspirational teaching and ability to demonstrate the impact that the arts and humanities can have on all aspects of life. This all supports how these superb academic disciplines can continue to help develop our such vibrant global communities and bring about positive societal change.”

Within the UK, four subjects are ranked in the top 10: Archaeology (5), Social Policy and Administration (7), Linguistics (10), Education (9).

Full details can be found on the QS Top Universities website.

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