THE World University Rankings 2024 results
Dear colleagues,
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 were published yesterday.
The University has been ranked in the 201-250 ranking band globally, from a position of 192nd in the world last year, and ranks =26th in the UK – a drop of one place from last year.
Similar to the QS World University Rankings published in June, the methodology for the THE has changed significantly this year with new metrics added and a change in weightings. A detailed summary of the methodological changes is included in the University’s report but it is evident that these modifications have increased volatility in the rankings, with nearly three quarters of UK institutions ranking 101-200 last year having seen a decline in rank in this edition.
Areas of strength and improvement
The University has shown exceptional performance in the International Outlook pillar, with a rise of 20 places to 12th in the world, 6th in the UK and 1st in Scotland. For the Industry pillar, which has increased in weight as well as undergoing methodological changes, the University has risen from 470th to 277th globally, with a rise of one place to 5th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland. Within this pillar, the University has been given the highest possible score for patents (the number of patents from any source that cite research conducted by the University). We have seen a rise of ten places to 27th in the UK and 4th in Scotland for the Teaching pillar, and a rise of 73 places globally, though this remains our lowest ranked pillar at 414th in the world. The University has achieved its highest UK rank in the last five years on these three pillars.
Challenges with regard to citations
The University has dropped 133 places globally to 286th and 15 places in the UK to 42nd for the Research Quality pillar. The Research Quality pillar (previously called ‘Citations’) has undergone major changes this year; the weight of the citations metric (field-weighted citation impact) has been reduced from 30% to 15% and three new metrics added derived from citations data, with a weight of 5% each: research strength, research excellence and research influence. The methodological changes are complex and of course questionable in terms of validity, but it is apparent that this year’s THE and QS World University Rankings both show a continuing decline in the University’s performance on citations, however measured. Work is ongoing with Schools to enhance our focus on citations data and to develop strategies to improve performance. It will take concerted and sustained action to arrest and reverse the decline, which will be key to regaining a place in the top 200 in the global rankings.
By contrast, the University’s performance in the Research Environment pillar, which measures research productivity, reputation and income, has remained largely stable, rising one place to 29th in the UK, and falling 7 places to 328th globally.
Further work will be carried out in the coming weeks to enhance our understanding of the many methodological changes made this year. An action plan will then be submitted to SMT setting out activities aimed at strengthening our performance across the various metrics underpinning this global ranking.
A full report on the results is available on the Directorate of Planning & Governance webpages.
The final league table results in the 2024 round will be the THE Subject Rankings, which are due to be released on 26 October.
Best wishes,
Karl
Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice-Principal