Overview of Queen's University Belfast Rankings

Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is a prestigious public research university located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Established in 1845, it has consistently been recognized for its academic excellence, innovative research, and vibrant student life. Rankings play a crucial role in evaluating universities worldwide, considering factors such as teaching quality, research output, international outlook, and employability. QUB performs strongly across various global and national ranking systems, often placing it among the top universities in the UK and Ireland. This overview details its performance in key rankings, highlighting strengths in research, employability, and specific subjects.

Global University Rankings

Queen's University Belfast is frequently featured in international rankings, which assess universities based on a broad range of metrics including academic reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international collaborations. These rankings provide a global perspective on QUB's standing.

QS World University Rankings

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Queen's University Belfast is ranked 206th globally. This position reflects its strong performance in employability (top 150 worldwide) and international faculty ratio. QS evaluates over 1,500 institutions, and QUB's score in academic reputation stands at 70.2 out of 100, underscoring its global recognition. Historically, QUB has improved steadily; for instance, it climbed 40 places from 2022 to 2023.

• Key Strengths: Employer reputation (ranked 140th globally) and international student diversity.
• Sustainability Ranking: In the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, QUB is placed 301-350, highlighting its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
• By Subject: QUB excels in Pharmacy and Pharmacology (51-100 globally) and Nursing (101-150).

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

The THE World University Rankings 2024 positions QUB at 201-250 globally out of more than 1,900 universities. THE emphasizes teaching (30% of the score), research environment (30%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry income (2.5%). QUB scores particularly well in research quality, with a citation impact of 75.4, indicating influential publications. In the UK, this places QUB in the top 25-30 institutions.

Category	QUB Score (2024)	Global Rank
Teaching	35.2	201-250
Research Environment	42.8	176-200
International Outlook	78.5	101-125
Industry	65.3	201-250

Additionally, in the THE Impact Rankings 2024, which focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), QUB ranks 101-200 globally, demonstrating its contributions to areas like reduced inequalities and climate action.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU/Shanghai Rankings)

The ARWU 2023 ranks QUB in the 301-400 band globally. This ranking prioritizes research output, with metrics like highly cited researchers and Nobel Prize affiliations. QUB's strength lies in its alumni outcomes, including two Nobel laureates: Seamus Heaney (Literature, 1995) and William Porter (Physics, 1903, as a predecessor institution). While not in the top 100, QUB's position is respectable among European universities.

National and UK-Specific Rankings

Within the UK, QUB is often ranked among the top 30 universities, excelling in student satisfaction and graduate prospects. National rankings incorporate data from the National Student Survey (NSS), research assessments, and entry standards.

Complete University Guide 2024

In the Complete University Guide 2024, QUB is ranked 24th in the UK out of 130 institutions. This guide assesses 10 indicators, including student satisfaction (87% overall) and research quality (top 20%). QUB scores 85% for graduate prospects, with 90% of graduates in professional jobs or further study within 15 months.

• Entry Standards: High A-level requirements (average 152 points).
• Student Satisfaction: 4.1 out of 5 from NSS data.
• Research Quality: Rated as world-leading in 80% of submissions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

The Guardian University Guide 2024

The Guardian University Guide 2024 places QUB at 27th in the UK. Guardian focuses on teaching quality, career prospects, and value-added scores. QUB achieves a satisfied, intelligent score of 85%, with strong performances in contextual admissions and widening participation.

Notable highlights include its top 10 UK ranking for international student support and a value-added score of 8, indicating effective use of student potential.

NICHE and Other UK Metrics

In broader UK assessments, QUB ranks highly for employability. According to HESA data (2022), 95% of QUB graduates are in employment or further study. The university also scores well in the REF 2021, with 98% of research deemed world-leading or internationally excellent, placing it 24th in the UK for research power.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Queen's University Belfast shines in several disciplines, particularly in health sciences, engineering, and social sciences. Subject rankings reveal niche strengths that contribute to its overall reputation.

QS Subject Rankings 2023

QUB features in the top 100 globally for multiple subjects:

• Pharmacy and Pharmacology: 51-100 (top 5 in UK).
• Nursing: 101-150.
• Archaeology: 51-100.
• Politics: 151-200.
• Mechanical Engineering: 201-250.

In the UK, QUB's Law program ranks 20th in the Complete University Guide, while Dentistry is 11th.

THE Subject Rankings 2024

THE by-subject rankings position QUB strongly in:

Subject	Global Rank	UK Rank
Life Sciences	201-250	Top 25
Clinical and Health	126-150	Top 15
Business and Economics	251-300	Top 30
Arts and Humanities	201-250	Top 25

The university's Centre for Experimental Medicine ranks highly in biomedical research, contributing to its health sciences prowess.

Other Subject Highlights

In the Complete University Guide 2024 by Subject, QUB achieves top 10 UK rankings in subjects like Food Science (3rd), Dentistry (11th), and Pharmacy (15th). Engineering disciplines, bolstered by the ECIT Institute, rank in the top 30 UK-wide. Social sciences, including Sociology (22nd) and Education (25th), benefit from QUB's interdisciplinary approach.

Employability and Student Experience Rankings

Beyond academics, QUB excels in preparing students for the workforce. In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, it is placed 251-300 globally, with strong employer partnerships in sectors like finance, tech, and healthcare. The university's careers service, MyFuture, supports over 20,000 students annually.

• Student Satisfaction: Ranked 22nd in the UK by the NSS 2023, with 84% overall satisfaction.
• International Students: Top 20 UK universities for international outlook (THE 2024).
• Campus Life: QUB's historic campus and Belfast location contribute to its 4-star rating in student experience surveys.

Research and Innovation Impact

QUB's research is a cornerstone of its rankings. In the REF 2021, it ranked 24th in the UK for research power, with standout units in Pharmacy (100% world-leading) and Law (95% internationally excellent). The university hosts over 200 research centers, including the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. Funding from UKRI and EU Horizon programs exceeds £100 million annually, supporting innovations in AI, cancer research, and sustainable energy.

Globally, QUB's research is cited over 30,000 times yearly, per Scopus data, enhancing its THE citation score.

Conclusion

Queen's University Belfast's rankings affirm its status as a leading institution in the UK and globally. With consistent top-250 placements in major world rankings, strong subject performances, and high employability rates, QUB offers a compelling choice for students seeking quality education and research opportunities. Its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation ensures continued upward trajectory in future assessments. Prospective students should consider these metrics alongside personal fit, as rankings evolve annually based on new data.