Ranking Top positions in QS Subject Ranking

In the Life Sciences / Medicine area, Heidelberg University is excellently positioned in the new QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020: It improved internationally by six places to 33rd and now ranks first in Germany (2nd in 2019) together with Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. In addition to the broad subject areas, the QS Subject Rankings published at the beginning of March include a second section with rankings for each of the individual disciplines. Classics / Ancient History ranked 4th internationally (up from 7th) – the best ranking of any German university overall – and rose from second to first position in the Germany-wide comparison. In the individual rankings for Medicine (previously 40th internationally, now 31st), Heidelberg also occupies the top position in Germany, up from second place last year.

Heidelberg University also scored very well in other disciplines. In addition to the Classics / Ancient History in the Humanities area, Theology (25th), Archaeology (32th) and History (45th) also ranks among the world's top 50 institutions, with Theology and Archaeology in third place nationally. In addition to Medicine in the Life Sciences / Medicine area, other disciplines that rank in world's top 50 include Biology at 37th, and Pharmacy / Pharmacology at 47th. Both rank second in Germany. In the Natural Sciences, Physics / Astronomy hold a position of 28th internationally and third in the country. Geography (previously in the 51 to 100 group) now ranks 50th internationally and third in Germany.

The evaluations of the broad subject areas and individual subjects are based primarily on data from surveys of academics and employers conducted for the QS World University Rankings and analysed according to subject. Citation analyses are also taken into consideration. The indicators are weighted differently in each subject.