Click here to view the top universities for social sciences in 2018. 

Want to study a social science degree or management course at one of the world’s top universities? The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 includes a ranking of 500 of the world’s top universities in this broad subject area, based upon a methodology which considers employer reputation as well as other factors.

Read on for an overview of the top universities for social sciences and management in each world region, or click here to view the full results table.

Top universities for social sciences and management in the US & Canada

The US is home to an impressive 87 of the world’s top universities for social science and management courses, with five spots in the top 10 (see above), and 22 institutions in the top 100. Outside of the top 10, other high-ranking US universities for this field include the University of Pennsylvania (12^th), the University of Chicago (16^th), Princeton University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (the latter two are both ranked joint 18^th).

Canada has 19 positions in the social sciences and ranking. Top Canadian universities to complete your social science degree include the University of Toronto (=30^th), the University of British Columbia (35^th) and McGill University (=49^th).

Top universities for social sciences and management in Europe

The UK is represented by 56 of the world’s top universities for social science degrees, 14 of which are in the top 100. Outside the top 10, the next four highest-ranked UK universities in this field are: London Business School (15^th), UCL (University College London) (=30^th), the University of Warwick (36^th) and the University of Manchester (=42^nd).

The next best-performing European country is Germany with 28 entries, including four in the top 100. The two highest-ranked German universities for this field are Universität Mannheim (65^th) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (70^th).

Another strong country for social sciences or management courses is Italy, with 18 representatives in the ranking, led by Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi at 17^th.

Spain has 17 top social science and management schools, with Universidad de Navarra its highest-ranked. The university is up over 70 places from its 2015/16 position and now ranks joint 81^st in the world.

France has 15 entries in the ranking, seven of which are new to 2017. Four French institutions feature in the top 100, including INSEAD (32^nd) and HEC Paris School of Management (55^th).

The Netherlands has 12 top universities for social sciences and management, including two in the top 50: Erasmus University Rotterdam (=42^nd) and the University of Amsterdam (=49^th).

Sweden has nine entries in the ranking, with Stockholm School of Economics leading the way at joint 75^th. However, it’s Denmark which claims the highest-ranked university for social sciences in the Nordic region, with Copenhagen Business School ranked 41^st. Denmark has five more top social sciences schools, including two more in the top 100. Elsewhere in the region, Norway has five entrants in the social sciences ranking, while Finland has three.

Belgium, Ireland and Switzerland each have seven of the world’s top universities for studying a social sciences degree in their country – with each country having at least one school in the top 150. Top entries include the Swiss ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at 58^th, the Belgian KU Leuven at 61^st and the Irish University College Dublin (UCD) at joint 111^th.

Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal has five representatives in the ranking, while Austria and Russia have four entrants each. From these countries, Russia’s Lomonosov Moscow State University is the highest-ranked at 110^th.

Finally, the Czech Republic, Greece and Poland have three entrants in the social sciences ranking each, while Lithuania and Hungary have two entrants and Estonia and Romania each have one. From these countries, Hungary’s Central European University is the highest-ranked entrant at joint 233^rd for social sciences and management. 

Top universities for social sciences and management in Australia & New Zealand

Australia is home to 27 of the world’s top universities for studying a social science degree, nine of which are in the top 100. The top four Australian universities for this subject area are the University of Melbourne (14^th), Australian National University (ANU) (20^th) the University of New South Wales (UNSW) (=22^nd) and the University of Sydney (25^th).

In nearby New Zealand are seven more of the world’s top universities for social science and management degrees, including three in the top 100: the University of Auckland (44^th), Victoria University of Wellington (=84^th) and the University of Otago (89^th).

Top universities for social sciences and management in Asia

China is the nation with the most top social science schools in Asia with 21 institutions featured in this year’s ranking, including four in the top 50: Peking University (21^st) Tsinghua University (34^th), Fudan University (48^th) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (=49^th).

A further 16 top social science schools are found in South Korea, including Seoul National University (SNU) and Korea University in the top 50 at 28^th and joint 39^th respectively.

Japan is home to 14 of the world’s top universities for social sciences and management courses, including the University of Tokyo in the top 10 and Kyoto University in the top 50 at 46^th.

Another strong Asian country for completing your social sciences degree is Taiwan, with 12 entries in this year’s ranking, including National Taiwan University (NTU) at 37^th. Elsewhere, of Malaysia’s 10 entrants, Universiti Malaya (UM) is the highest ranked at 71^st.

Hong Kong performs very well, with five of its eight representatives featured in the top 100, including the University of Hong Kong just outside the top 10 at 11^th.

India’s seven entries are led by the University of Delhi at joint 295^th, while Thailand has five universities in the ranking, including Chulalongkorn University at joint 159^th.

Singapore may only have three entrants, but all are in the top 100, with the National University of Singapore (NUS) featured in the top 10 and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) ranked joint 22^nd. Also with three top social sciences schools are Indonesia and the Philippines, with Universitas Indonesia ranked 207^th.

Top universities for social sciences and management in Latin America

Latin America is home to 22 of the world’s top universities for social sciences and management, with seven claimed by Brazil alone, including Universidade de São Paulo (USP) at joint 146^th.

However, it’s Chile which boasts the highest-ranked institution in Latin America for this subject area, with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) leading the way for its five entries at 90^th.

Also with five top social sciences schools is Mexico, with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) ranked 119^th. 

Colombia has three entrants in the ranking, led by Universidad de los Andes at 201^st, while Argentina’s sole entrant Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) is ranked joint 151^st. Peru’s only entrant Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú is joint 334^th.

Top universities for social sciences and management in Africa & the Middle East

South Africa has five institutions ranked among the world’s best for social science and management courses, led by the University of Cape Town at joint 174^th. Egypt also features in this year’s ranking with two entries, including Cairo University at joint 342^nd.

In the Middle East, Turkey is home to four top social science schools, with Middle East Technical University the leader at joint 389^th. Israel and Saudi Arabia have three entrants each, while Lebanon has one – from these countries, the Israeli Hebrew University of Jerusalem is the highest ranked university at 262^nd.

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Donald Trump may be president, but Senator Bernie Sanders isn’t giving up on his radical plan to make college and university education free.

This week, the Vermont senator introduced the College for All Act, which aims to make tuition and fees free at public four-year colleges and universities for students whose family income is less than $125,000 per year. The act would also make tuition at community colleges free for students from all income levels.

While this isn’t the first time Sanders has pushed a bill pledging to make college and university tuition free, this is the first time he’s done so with the backing of other Democratic senators. The bill has five co-sponsors: Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy and Kirsten Gillibrand. By contrast, Sanders’s similar 2015 bill wasn’t backed by anyone else.

Even with this uptick in Democratic support, it’s unlikely the bill will ever become law given the Republicans control Congress and the White House. However, Sanders and other Democrats believe it can act as a rallying call to help build support. Sanders said: “ Our job now is to go out in every state in this country…. We can win this fight when millions of Americans stand up and demand this legislation.”

“We need organized events at every college campus across the country,” said Representative Pramila Jayapal, who was backed by Sanders for election last year.

Rather than students paying for their own tuition, the bill would have the government pay two-thirds of tuition subsidies, with the final third paid by state and tribal governments. This would cost approximately $600 billion according to Sanders’s office, which would be covered by taxing financial speculation on Wall Street.

The bill also includes several other progressive proposals which are designed to alleviate student debt (such as the ability for students to refinance their current loans at a better rate) but whether any of these plans ever see the light of day will depend upon how many Americans join the campaign for it.

Over to you, Bern…

Lead image: Phil Roeder (Flickr)

Included in the QS World University Rankings by Subject is a ranking of over 500 of the world’s top universities in the broad subject area of natural sciences, based on a methodology which assesses research impact, employer reputation and academic reputation.

Read on for an overview of the top universities for natural sciences in each world region, or click here to view the full table. 

Top universities for natural sciences in the US & Canada

The US is home to 96 of the world’s top universities for natural sciences, with five institutions in the top 10. This includes the highest-ranked university in the world for this field, MIT. Outside the top 10, other strong US universities for natural sciences include Princeton University (13^th), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Chicago (both joint 19^th) and Yale University (=24^th).

Heading north, a further 20 top natural sciences schools are found in Canada, including three in the global top 50: the University of Toronto (22^nd), the University of British Columbia (35^th) and McGill University (=46^th).

Top universities for natural sciences in Europe

Germany is the best-performing European country in the natural sciences ranking, with 43 schools featured among the world’s best.

The UK has 38 representatives in the natural sciences ranking, including three schools in the top 10. Outside the top 10, six more UK institutions feature in the top 100, including the University of Manchester (=46^th), the University of Edinburgh (54^th) and UCL (University College London) (62^nd).

Italy is home to 22 of the world’s top universities for natural sciences, with two schools featuring in the top 100: Sapienza - Università di Roma (64^th) and Università di Bologna (UNIBO) (=72^nd).

France has 17 entrants in the ranking, again with two universities in the global top 100: Ecole Polytechnique (34^th) and Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC) (55^th).

Spain also performs well, with 11 entrants, including Universidad Autónoma de Madrid at joint 72^nd. Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ 10 representatives are led by Delft University of Technology at joint 85^th. 

Neighboring Belgium has eight top natural sciences schools, while seven are found in Switzerland, including ETH Zurich in the top 10 and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) at 11^th.

Also represented seven times each are Russia and Sweden, with Russia’s Lomonosov Moscow State University the highest-ranked at joint 40^th, while Sweden’s top performer is Stockholm University (69^th).

Austria, Poland and Portugal have six top natural sciences schools each, with Austria’s Technische Universität Wien the highest-ranked at joint 151^st. 

Elsewhere, Finland and Ireland have five entrants in the ranking each, while Greece has four. Of these countries, the Finnish University of Helsinki is the highest-ranked for natural sciences at joint 92^nd.

Next up are the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary and Norway, all with three top universities for natural sciences apiece, while Romania has two. Of these five countries, Denmark performs best, with the University of Copenhagen featured at joint 48^th. 

Finally, Estonia, Lithuania, Serbia and Slovenia each have one institution featured among the world’s best for natural sciences.

Top universities for natural sciences in Asia

China is home to the most top natural sciences schools of any Asian country, with 36 representatives, including three in the top 50: Peking University (14^th), Tsinghua University (16^th) and Fudan University (43^rd).

Japan and South Korea claim 19 top universities for natural sciences each, with Japan’s University of Tokyo in the top 10. Other high-ranking Japanese universities for this subject area include Kyoto University (15^th), Tokyo Institute of Technology (=24^th) and Tohoku University (=36^th).

South Korea has five entrants in the global top 100 for natural sciences, including Seoul National University (SNU) (23^rd) and KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (=32^nd).  

India has 11 representatives in the natural sciences ranking, led by new entry Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore at joint 128^th. Taiwan has nine entries, led by the National Taiwan University (NTU) at 27^th.

Hong Kong is home to six top universities for natural sciences, while Malaysia has five entries in the ranking. Two of Hong Kong’s entrants are in the top 50: the University of Hong Kong (21^st) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (42^nd).

Singapore may only have two entries, but both are in the top 20: National University of Singapore (NUS) (12^th) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) (17^th).

Lastly, Thailand and Pakistan also feature in the natural sciences ranking with one representative each.

Top universities for natural sciences in Australia & New Zealand

Australia is home to 20 of the world’s top universities for natural sciences, six of which are in the top 100. The three highest-ranked Australian universities for this subject area are: the  University of Melbourne (=29^th), the University of Sydney (=36^th) and Australian National University (ANU) (=38^th).

In nearby New Zealand, five more top natural sciences schools are found, including the University of Auckland at joint 105^th.

Top universities for natural sciences in Latin America

Of the 13 Latin American institutions featured in the ranking, six are in Brazil, with Universidade de São Paulo (USP) leading the way at joint 155^th.

Argentina, Chile, and Mexico have two entrants each, with Argentina’s Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) sharing joint 194^th place with Mexico’s Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Meanwhile Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) is ranked joint 228^th for natural sciences. Another Latin American country to feature is Colombia, with one representative.

Top universities for natural sciences in Africa & the Middle East

South Africa is home to five top natural sciences schools, led by the University of Cape Town at joint 221^st. Also represented is Egypt with one entrant - Cairo University (ranked joint 373^rd).

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is represented by four of the world’s top universities for natural sciences, the best of which is King Abdulaziz University (KAU) at joint 314^th. Finally, Turkey has three entrants, with Middle East Technical University ranked joint 308^th.

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The QS World University Rankings by Subject includes a ranking of 500 of the world’s top universities in the field of life sciences and medicine, based on a methodology which assesses research impact and employer/academic reputations.

Read on for an overview of the top universities in each world region for this broad subject area, or click here to explore the full results.

Top universities for medicine and life sciences in the US & Canada

The US boasts an impressive 121 representatives in the life sciences and medicine ranking, including seven positions in the top 10 (above) and a total of 33 in the top 100. Outside the top 10, other top US universities for life sciences and medicine include: the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) (14^th), University of California, San Diego (UCSD) (16^th), Duke University (19^th), and the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Washington share 23^rd place.

Heading north, and Canada claims 20 of the world’s top universities for medicine and life sciences, with the University of Toronto leading the way at joint 18^th. Other high-ranking Canadian institutions include McGill University and the University of British Columbia, which are both ranked joint 28^th.

Top universities for medicine and life sciences in Europe

Europe is home to almost 200 of the top universities for medicine and life sciences, including 41 in the United Kingdom. As well as Oxbridge in the top 10, other strong UK institutions for this subject area include UCL (University College London) which falls just shy of the top 10 in 11^th place, Imperial College London (12^th), King's College London (KCL) (18^th) and the University of Edinburgh (21^st).

Germany claims 35 of the world’s top life sciences and medicine schools, including three in the top 100: Ruprecht-Karls-Universitaet Heidelberg (=41^st), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (=44^th) and Technical University of Munich (TUM) (81^st).

Italy also performs well with 23 representatives in this year’s ranking, led by the Università degli Studi di Milano at 80^th.

France is represented by 12 entries this year, led by Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC) at joint 94^th. Also with 12 entries is Spain, including Universitat de Barcelona (UB) at 78^th.

The Netherlands is home to 11 of the world’s top universities for life sciences and medicine, with the University of Amsterdam the best in the country at joint 35^th. Five more Dutch institutions feature in the top 100, including the Erasmus University Rotterdam in joint 51^st.

Sweden has 10 entrants in the ranking – as well as Karolinska Institutet in the top 10, another strong Swedish institution for life sciences and medicine is Uppsala University at 49^th. Staying in the Nordic countries, Finland and Denmark have five representatives each, while Norway has four. From these countries, the highest-ranked institution for life sciences and medicine is the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, which is ranked 27^th.

Elsewhere, Belgium and Switzerland have seven representatives each. All but one of Switzerland’s entries are in the top 100, with the University of Zurich the highest-ranked at 43^rd. Belgium’s highest ranked institution for life sciences and medicine is KU Leuven at joint 66^th.

Austria and Ireland have five top universities for medicine and life sciences each, while Greece and Portugal have four apiece. Of these countries, Austria has the best performing school for this subject area: Medizinische Universität Wien (Medical University of Vienna) (ranked 132^nd).

Finally, the remaining European countries with at least one university featured among the world’s best for life sciences and medicine are Hungary (with three entries), Czech Republic (two), and Croatia, Estonia, Poland and Slovenia with one representative each. Of these countries, the highest-ranked university for life sciences and medicine is found in the Czech Republic, with Charles University ranked 226^th in the world.

Top universities for medicine and life sciences in Australia and New Zealand

Australia has 24 institutions included among the world’s best for medicine and life sciences, including five in the top 50: the University of Melbourne (13^th), the University of Sydney (17^th), Monash University (=28^th), the University of Queensland (32^nd) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW Australia) (=44^th).

Four more top universities for this subject area are found in neighboring New Zealand, led by the University of Auckland at joint 62^nd.

Top universities for medicine and life sciences in Asia

A significant number of the world’s most prestigious schools for life sciences and medicine are found in Asia, with China and Japan claiming 23 entrants each. Two of China’s entrants are in the top 100, Peking University (ranked joint 51^st) and Fudan University (joint 88^th), while Japan has two schools featured in the top 50: the University of Tokyo (22^nd) and Kyoto University (40^th).

South Korea is home to 19 of the world’s top life sciences and medicine schools, including two in the top 100: Seoul National University (=35^th) and Yonsei University (=85^th)

Taiwan has 10 entrants in the ranking, led by National Taiwan University (NTU) at joint 44^th, while Thailand’s six representatives are led by Mahidol University at joint 115^th.

Hong Kong has five top universities for life sciences and medicine, including the University of Hong Kong at 34^th and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) (65^th).

Of Malaysia’s four representatives, its leading university in this subject area, Universiti Malaya (UM), made an impressive leap from the QS World University Rankings by Faculty 2015/16, climbing from joint 249^th to joint 164^th. 

Singapore may only have two entries, but both feature in the global top 150 for life sciences and medicine: National University of Singapore (NUS) (20^th) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) (=123^rd).

Elsewhere in Asia, Indonesia, Pakistan and The Philippines are all new to the life sciences and medicine ranking this year with one entrant each.

Top universities for medicine & life sciences in Latin America

Of the 16 Latin American institutions featured in the life sciences and medicine ranking, 10 are based in Brazil – including the highest-ranked institution in the region for this subject area - Universidade de São Paulo (USP) (129^th). Also ranked in the global top 250 is Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) at joint 230^th.

Mexico and Chile both claim two top universities for life sciences and medicine each, with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) ranked joint 176^th while Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) is featured at 227^th.

Lastly, Argentina and Colombia have one representative each in the ranking, with Argentina’s Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) ranked joint 207^th for this subject area.

Top universities for medicine & life sciences in Africa & the Middle East

South Africa is represented by five top universities for life sciences and medicine, led by the University of Cape Town at joint 105^th. Egypt has three entrants in the ranking, with Cairo University its highest ranked at joint 295^th, while Uganda is new with one entrant.

In the Middle East, Israel is home to five of the world’s top universities for life sciences and medicine, with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem the leader of these in 142^nd place.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have two representatives in the ranking each, with the Saudi Arabian King Saud University (KSU) featured at joint 243^rd.

Finally, Iran and Lebanon are both new to this year’s life sciences and medicine ranking with one entrant each. 

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By Sopiko Beriashvili

Living and studying in Venice, Italy is a completely different experience to anywhere else in Europe. Last year, I had the chance to continue my studies at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. From the moment I arrived in the city, I knew my lifestyle and routine were going to be completely different to what I was used to back home in Tbilisi, Georgia. Venice can feel like another world, or even another time, and I loved every moment of it. Here are eight reasons why Venice is so magical.

You won’t find a single car, zebra crossing or traffic light in Venice

Apart from at the city entrance, there is no way of using cars, bikes or motorcycles in Venice, because the entire city is a collection of islands, connected by bridges. This means you have to get around the city either on foot or by water-craft. If you are taking a water-bus, bear in mind that they don’t function like normal buses, which stop on either side of the road. One water-bus stop will be served by boats going in both directions, so make sure you get on the right one!

Traffic jams are caused by tourists instead of cars, as people pose on the bridges to take selfies

Venice’s population of roughly 260,000 is bolstered daily by an influx of up to 70,000 tourists. As a result, the city gets really crowded, especially during carnival and in summer. The tourists mostly stop on the bridges to take picturesque selfies, though this does often mean they end up “blocking” the road.

You learn how to monitor the tide in the city

At my initial orientation meeting at Ca’ Foscari University, we were warned about the tide and encouraged to download Hi!Tide Venice, an app which tells you if different places around the city are flooded and where to walk without getting wet. When the tide is approaching, locals can be seen wearing rubber boots around the city. If you’re only visiting as a tourist, plastic rain boots are designed for you. Or...

Keep your feet dry by walking on the raised plank walkways

During high tide, city sanitation workers set out raised plank walkways (passarelle) throughout Venice, so tourists and locals can get around the city. Passarelle can be found in the area where the aqua alta (high tide) is most expected.

The beautiful Gothic architecture makes it hard to tell the buildings apart

Over centuries, the famous old buildings in Venice have stayed the same but the purpose of the them has changed. Some of them are now university buildings or museums, yet these grand and decorative buildings can sometimes be something as ordinary as a bank.

You can only drink milky coffee in the mornings

Italians believe drinking any coffee with milk in it, such as cappuccino, after a meal messes up the ability to digest properly.

You can pay less for drinks in Venice’s bars and cafes if you stay on your feet

In Venice, if you sit at the outdoor tables of the cafe or bar, you should be expected to be charged slightly more for your cup of coffee or glass of wine than if you choose to drink on your feet at the bar or outside. Why doesn’t every country do this?

You get free access to National Venetian Museums on every first Sunday of the month

Since 2014, all state museums and archeological sites in Italy can be visited for free on the first Sunday of each month. Take full advantage of this while you’re here, there are some amazing things to see.

Over 550,000 US graduates have taken advantage of a Department of Education scheme which promises to repay graduates' remaining student loan debt if they work for 10 years in a public service job. Now, the Education Department has said the program isn’t legally binding and could be rescinded at any time.

Should this happen, over half a million Americans would be left to pay thousands of dollars in student debt themselves.

Four graduates were recently told their jobs no longer qualified for the loan forgiveness program, despite initially being told they were eligible. The four have now filed a lawsuit against the Education Department.

The program, which is intended to encourage graduates to work in the public sector, where wages are often lower than in the private sector, was introduced by the federal government in 2007. FedLoan Servicing, the administrator of the program, has been criticized for a lack of transparency over how applications are handled. Graduates must submit a new certification form every year for ten years in order to be considered.

Jamie Rudert, one of the four plaintiffs, was told last year his job was no longer eligible for the program, despite there being no problems with his certification form in each of the previous four years. He was told his application “had initially been approved in error” and that the new decision was retroactive, meaning none of his previous work was eligible. He has not found any way to appeal the decision.

He told the New York Times: “It’s been really perplexing. I’ve never gotten a straight answer or an explanation.”

According to the Department of Education, an approval letter “does not reflect a final agency action on the borrower’s qualifications”, meaning hundreds of thousands of graduates could have their approval reversed at any time.

As the program requires 10 years of service, the first applications for debt forgiveness will be made in October this year. Hundreds of thousands of graduates and current students will be watching on anxiously to see if the Department of Education honors their promise.

Lead image: Chandler Abraham (Flickr)

The QS World University Rankings by Subject includes a ranking of more than 500 of the world’s top universities for the broad subject area of arts and humanities, based on a methodology which assesses employer and academic reputations as well as citations per faculty.

Read on for an overview of the top universities for arts and humanities in each world region, starting with a look at the top 10.

Top universities for arts and humanities in the US & Canada

The US boasts 95 positions out of the 504 possible places in the arts and humanities ranking, with seven institutions in the top 10 above. A further 21 US universities are in the global top 100 for this broad subject area, including New York University (NYU) (12^th), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (16^th), University of Chicago (=18^th) and Cornell University (32^nd).

Heading north, Canada claims 22 of the world’s top universities for arts and humanities, led by the University of Toronto at joint 18^th. Other top Canadian institutions for this area include the University of British Columbia (=29^th) and McGill University (43^rd).

Top universities for arts and humanities in Europe

Many the world’s top universities for arts and humanities are found in Europe. 59 are found in the United Kingdom, 19 of which are in the top 100. As well as the prestigious Oxbridge duo in the top 10 above, other high-ranking UK universities for this broad subject area include the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (14^th), UCL (University College London) (=18^th) and the University of Edinburgh (22^nd).

Germany also performs well this year and is represented by 34 of the world’s top universities for arts and humanities, including five in the top 100. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (35^th) continues to be the highest-ranked German institution for this broad subject area, and is joined in the top 50 by Freie Universitaet Berlin (37^th). 

Italy is next with 19 representatives in the arts and humanities ranking, led by the Università di Bologna (UNIBO) at 59^th. Meanwhile Spain has 16 entrants, including the University Complutense Madrid at joint 101^st.

Next up is France, which claims 15 of the world’s top universities for arts and humanities, with two in the top 100: Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) (=26^th) and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (=61^st).

The Netherlands meanwhile has 11 top arts and humanities schools, again with two in the top 100: Leiden University (49^th) and the University of Amsterdam (53^rd).

Elsewhere, Belgium, Ireland and Sweden each have seven top universities for arts and humanities, including one each in the top 100: Belgium’s KU Leuven (57^th), Ireland’s University College Dublin (UCD) (=83^rd) and Sweden’s Stockholm University (80^th).

Russia and Switzerland have six entrants in the ranking each, with Lomonosov Moscow State University Russia’s highest ranked at 70^th, while the Swiss ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich also both feature in the top 100.

Five more top arts and humanities schools are based within Denmark, two of which are in the top 100: the University of Copenhagen (58^th) and Aarhus University (=93^rd).

Austria, Finland and Portugal have three entrants in the ranking apiece, with the Finnish University of Helsinki the highest-ranked at joint 75^th. Norway has three representatives, including the University of Oslo at joint 103^rd.

The Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Romania have two entrants in the arts and humanities ranking each – of these five countries, Hungary’s Central European University ranks best at joint 194^th.

Finally, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Serbia and Slovenia all have one top university for arts and humanities each, with Estonia’s University of Tartu the highest-ranked at joint 301^st.

Top universities for arts and humanities in Asia

China has the most top universities for arts and humanities in Asia with 20, of which three are in the top 50: Peking University (23^rd), Tsinghua University (44^th) and Fudan University (50^th).

Japan has 17 entrants ranked among the world’s best for arts and humanities, again with three spots in the top 50 for this broad subject area: the University of Tokyo (11^th), Kyoto University (=26^th) and Waseda University (=45^th).

South Korea and Taiwan have 12 top universities for arts and humanities each, with four South Korean institutions featured in the top 100, including Seoul National University (SNU) (28^th), while the highest-ranked Taiwanese institution for this subject area is National Taiwan University (NTU) (=29^th).

Nine more top arts and humanities universities are claimed by Malaysia, with Universiti Malaya (UM) jumping from 127^th in the previous year’s ranking to joint 85^th in 2017.

Hong Kong is home to eight of the world’s best universities in this subject area, of which three rank in the global top 100: the University of Hong Kong (13^th), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) (31^st) and the City University of Hong Kong (54^th).

India and the Philippines have three entries in the arts and humanities ranking each, while Singapore and Thailand have two. Singapore’s two representatives are both ranked well: National University of Singapore (NUS) is 21^st, while Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) is joint 51^st. India and Thailand’s highest ranked entries both share joint 210^th place: Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) and the University of Delhi (India). 

Finally, the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Macau) is also new to this year’s ranking with one entrant, the University of Macau (ranked 401-450).

Top universities for arts and humanities in Australia & New Zealand

Of the 27 top arts and humanities schools in Australia, seven are in the top 100. As well as the Australian National University in the top 10, other Australian universities to perform well include the University of Sydney (15^th), the University of Melbourne (17^th) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW Australia) (36^th).

Seven more top universities for arts and humanities are found in New Zealand, led by the University of Auckland at 25^th. Also in the top 100 are Victoria University of Wellington (55^th) and the University of Otago (=88^th).

Top universities for arts and humanities in Latin America

Of the 25 top arts and humanities schools in Latin America, the majority (eight) are found in Brazil, led by Universidade de São Paulo (USP) at joint 114^th.

Next up is Chile with six entrants in the ranking, including Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) at joint 98^th.

Colombia and Mexico have four representatives each, with Mexico’s highest-ranked entrant also the best performer in the whole of Latin America for this subject area: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

Lastly, Argentina has two top arts and humanities schools, led by Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) at joint 118^th, while Peru enters the ranking this year with one institution.

Top universities for arts and humanities in Africa & the Middle East

Six of the world’s best universities for arts and humanities can be found in South Africa, led by the University of Cape Town at joint 160^th. Egypt has two representatives in the ranking, including the American University in Cairo at joint 282^nd.

In the Middle East, Turkey is home to four institutions featured among the most prestigious for arts and humanities, including Bogaziçi Üniversitesi at 401-450. Israel has three entrants in the ranking, led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at joint 202^nd.

Finally, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia both have one representative in the arts and humanities ranking.

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