Study Group university partners rated best in world by QS

A group of students walking together outside campus

46 subjects taught by Study Group’s university partners have been ranked among the world’s best 50 in the latest global rankings by QS, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and the provision of life-changing opportunity for students.

Durham University, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Sheffield and the University of Sussex each have subjects in the world’s top ten.

Illustrating the breadth and value of study options available to international students across Study Group’s global network of 50 university partners, an impressive 336 subjects score highly enough to feature in the new QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

These include:

  • Number one for Developmental Studies at the University of Sussex for the eighth consecutive year and a top 50 ranking for Sociology
  • The University of Sheffield sitting at number one for Library and Information Studies
  • Durham University excelling in Archaeology, Classics and Theology, ranked within the top ten, and a further seven subjects in the world’s best 50
  • Liverpool John Moores University securing the sixth place for Sports, and Leeds Beckett University maintaining its position among the best in the world for Sports
  • A stunning 14 subjects for the University of Leeds achieving top 50 status, including Communication and Media Studies, which is also ranked in the top 50 at Cardiff University
  • English Language and a further three top 50 subjects at University College Dublin
  • The University of Huddersfield and Royal Holloway, University of London demonstrating strengths in creative arts subjects
  • Pharmacy among the three highly ranked subjects on offer at the University of Strathclyde
  • Top 50 positions for Theology and Mineral Engineering at the University of Aberdeen
  • The University of Surrey maintaining its reputation as a leader for Hospitality and Leisure Management

Study Group’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon says: “Many rankings are published annually and each can be helpful for international students when considering global education and the life changing opportunity to study abroad. We congratulate our university partners on the sheer volume of their taught subjects included in these rankings as world leading.”

“By connecting with talented international students and through the provision of specialist teaching and support in preparation for degree study, it is our privilege and honour to unlock the array of exciting possibilities offered by our university partners around the world.”

Partner representation in the top 50

UniversityTop 50 subjects
Cardiff UniversityDentistry, Communications and Media
Durham UniversityArchaeology, Classics, English Language, History, Philosophy, Theology, Earth and Marine Sciences, Geography, Anthropology, Law
Liverpool John Moores UniversitySports
Royal Holloway, University of LondonPerforming Arts
University College DublinEnglish Language, Petroleum Engineering, Veterinary Science, Library and Information Studies
University of AberdeenTheology, Mineral Engineering
University of HuddersfieldMusic, Performing Arts
University of LeedsEnglish Language, Philosophy, Mineral Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Dentistry, Nursing, Earth and Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Communications and Media, Development Studies, Marketing
The University of SheffieldArchaeology, Architecture, Library and Information Studies
University of StrathclydePharmacy, Hospitality, Library and Information Studies
University of SurreyPetroleum Engineering, Hospitality and Leisure Management
University of SussexDevelopment Studies, Sociology

Explore the detail in the full QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.