How to differentiate between university and subject rankings?

Ellen Boeren

Chapter 3 in How to Read and Interpret University Rankings, 2026, pp 30-42 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter moves the focus from generic to subject rankings. QS, THE and ShanghaiRankings have each introduced subject rankings but use different approaches to compile these. Currently (in 2025) THE publishes rankings in 11 subjects while QS uses five broad categories which each host their own subject rankings. ShanghaiRankings’ Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) also publishes a broader range of subject rankings. This chapter delves deeper into the need for subject rankings on top of university-wide generic ones, and compilers’ approaches to align subjects with existing topic groupings such as the All Journal Subject Classification (AJSC). It balances the pros and cons of using a limited versus larger number of subjects for ranking compilation and zooms in on the potential confusions that can surround subject classification.

Keywords: University rankings; League tables; Academic subjects; Academic fields; Disciplines; AJSC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035333455
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