The 2013 QS World University Rankings by Subject have been released, with Otago ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world in 12 subject areas. Psychology, History and Archaeology, English Language and Literature, and Law also placed in the top 50.
Professor Harlene Hayne, Vice Chancellor of the University, says, “We are delighted, especially to have improved our rankings in 11 of the 30 subject areas QS considers, and to have 12 subject areas in the top 100 worldwide.”
The QS Rankings are decided by academic peer reviews, citations of published research per faculty, and assessments of each subject by major employers. Prof. Hayne believes “this ranking is directly positive for students as they look ahead to becoming graduates.”
The Otago Psychology department has been ranked 15th worldwide and is New Zealand’s top-ranking department of any subject. This follows the recent distinction in the New Zealand Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) quality evaluation, in which the faculty was found to be the highest-scoring academic unit for research quality of any discipline in New Zealand.
Otago also ranked highest in New Zealand for History and Archaeology, at 24th. The Faculty of Law came 32nd worldwide, behind Victoria (19th) and Auckland (24th). However, Prof. Hayne says “Otago was ranked clearly first in the field of legal research in PBRF, which is a more rigorous measure,” and described Otago’s Law faculty as “world-class.”
“Simply to be ranked already places you amongst the best of universities worldwide,” Prof. Hayne continued, “and to be ranked in the top 100 in any subject areas is outstanding.” Auckland was featured in the top 50 in 17 subjects, making it New Zealand’s highest-ranked university overall, but did not make the top 20 in any one subject.
Otago, Auckland, Victoria and Massey universities all featured in the top 50 of this very competitive ranking system. “Our students should feel confident that, when they graduate, they will be more than prepared to take their place on the international stage with their peers from around the world,” says Prof. Hayne.
A degree from Otago might just get you a job
