Ruperto Carola Best German University in Shanghai Ranking

Heidelberg University has been ranked the best university in Germany in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, also known as the Shanghai Ranking, after sharing first-place honours last year with Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Ruperto Carola climbed three places to 46th internationally, already having dropped five places in 2014. There was improvement on the European level as well. Compared to other universities in Europe, Heidelberg University moved into 10th place from 12th in 2014. Four German universities are ranked among the world’s top 100, with the Technical University of Munich at 51st, followed by Ludwig Maximilian University at 52nd, and the University of Bonn at 97th.

The Shanghai ranking especially measures an institution’s scientific influence, making research a key factor in the evaluation. Publications and citations in international scientific journals make up 40% of the total score, alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals 30%, most frequently cited researchers 20%, and academic performance based on the size of the university 10%. From 2010 to 2015, Heidelberg University’s international standing has risen to 46th from 63rd.