The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, published annually by Times Higher Education Magazine, is considered to be one of the most prestigious global university rankings. The ranking evaluates universities in 11 subject fields: Social sciences, Business & economics, Engineering & technology, Computer science, Physical sciences, Clinical & health, Arts & humanities, Life sciences, Education, Psychology, and Law.
This year, the subject rankings are published gradually. On September 16, THE announced the results in Physical sciences, Life sciences, Clinical & health, and Psychology. ITMO University took the 301-400 position in the Life sciences subject ranking and fourth position among 15 Russian universities featured in this subject ranking. The first place went to Lomonosov Moscow State University, the second – to Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and the third – to First Moscow State Medical University.
ITMO took the 401-500 position in the Physical sciences ranking. Among 48 featured Russian universities are National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg Mining University, and other leading institutions.
The subject ranking’s evaluations are based on the same 13 indicators as used in the global ranking (THE WUR). These are grouped into five sections: Teaching (learning environment); Research (volume, income, and reputation); Citations (research influence); International outlook (ratio of international students and staff, research collaborations); and Industry income (knowledge transfer and R&D projects funding). The specific weight coefficient of each indicator depends on each evaluated subject field.
However, the methodology of subject rankings has certain differences from that of the global ranking. For example, the weight coefficient of Citations is increased in fields with typically high number of publications and citations (Physical sciences, Life sciences, Clinical & health).
In order to make it to one of 11 subject rankings, a university must meet the requirements in the amount of scientific publications during a certain time period. For the 2021 ranking, it’s 2016-2020 Scopus-indexed publications. Furthermore, the corresponding subject area of a university must employ a certain ratio or number of staff members.
