RANKING. As the so-called Shanghai Ranking now presents this year’s subject rankings, the University of Gothenburg (GU) is among the top institutions in Sweden in several subjects. In the field of ‘Medical & Life Sciences,’ the University of Gothenburg is among the top performers in Biological Sciences, Dentistry & Oral Sciences, and Human Biological Sciences.
The overall trend for the university shows a slight decline this year, but GU maintains similar positions to the previous year. The University of Gothenburg is featured in 28 out of the 55 subject lists. Among the Swedish institutions, GU alone holds the best position in five of these lists: Political Sciences (16), Human Biological Sciences (25), Public Administration (36), Dentistry & Oral Sciences (42), and Communication (46). In addition to these, the University of Gothenburg ranks in the top hundred in five more subjects: Biological Sciences (39), Oceanography (47), Atmospheric Sciences (50), Nursing (51-75), and Ecology (76-100).
In the field of ‘Clinical Medicine,’ Karolinska Institutet (KI) leads the list, while GU shares the second position with Uppsala and Lund.
The Shanghai Ranking, or the Academic Ranking of World Universities as its official name, published its subject rankings for 2023 on October 27. There are a total of 55 different subject rankings, divided into five fields: Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The various subject rankings use slightly different indicators and weigh them differently. The indicators are broadly described [here] and in detail [here].
The methodological problems of subject rankings can be discussed. For example, it is challenging to determine the actual subjects behind the subject names, price indicators sometimes yield surprising effects, and large environments are heavily favored.
BY: ELIN LINDSTROM / MAGNUS MACHALE GUNNARSSON
PHOTO: JOHAN WINGBORG
