The QS World University Rankings by Subject is one of the highlights of our rankings calendar, showcasing over 1,500 institutions across 51 different subjects, grouped into 5 faculty (broad subject) areas. The following dashboard is a useful guide to this ranking, and contains information on the subjects and subject areas we rank, the weights of indicators, the ASJC codes we use as well as the nominations we receive: QS World University Rankings by Subject Dashboard.
Eligibility criteria for rankings by subject
The institution should offer undergraduate or teach postgraduate programmes in the given subject. There must have been at least three graduating classes in those narrow subjects before eligibility is conferred. Single-faculty and single-level institutions are allowed to be featured in our rankings by subject.
Eligibility criteria for rankings by faculty area
The institute must provide full degree programs in the corresponding faculty (broad subject) area. Further, in each faculty area, at least two narrow subjects should be offered. There must have been at least three graduating classes in those narrow subjects before eligibility is conferred. Single-faculty and single-level institutions are eligible for our rankings by faculty area.
As every indicator in the rankings by faculty areas depends on the performance in the corresponding narrow subjects, the overall performance of an institution in the rankings by faculty areas depends on the number of narrow subjects it's eligible for. However to be featured in the rankings by faculty areas, there is no specific pre-requisite for the performance in narrow subjects.
For the 2022 edition of the rankings by 5 broad subject areas, we introduced our International Research Network metric, which is used in our regional rankings. This metric enjoys wide support, and it was on the advice of our Advisory Board that we made the decision to add it to this ranking. Global research collaboration is crucial in solving some of the world's biggest research challenges, and working across borders provides opportunities for knowledge transfer, funding opportunities, wider readership and cultural exchange.
The revised indicator weights of the faculty-area rankings can be found below:
| Faculty Area | Indicators | ||||
| Academic Reputation | Employer Reputation | Citations per Paper | H-Index | IRN | |
| Arts & Humanities | 60% | 20% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 5% |
| Engineering & Technology | 40% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | 40% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 10% |
| Natural Sciences | 40% | 20% | 15% | 15% | 10% |
| Social Sciences & Management | 50% | 30% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 5% |