University of Auckland tops world rankings in Arts subjects
The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts have scooped the bulk of the top rankings by subject in New Zealand in the
latest QS World University Rankings by Subject released today.
QS analysed data from eight New Zealand universities. Out of the 11 Arts subjects listed by QS, the University is ranked
top subject provider in New Zealand in 10 of them.
And in the subject of Archaeology, the University not only ranks the number one place to study in New Zealand, but 20th
in the world by QS, making it not only the best place in New Zealand to study, but the 20th out of all universities
world-wide.
The result is also impressive as this is the first time Archaeology has been included since rankings by subject started
in 2011.
Along with Archaeology, another four subjects are ranked in the top 50 worldwide. They are Development Studies (26),
English Language and Literature (31), Anthropology (44) and Linguistics (49). All four of these subjects are ranked as
the number one by subject out of all New Zealand universities.
The other Arts subjects of Sociology, Politics, Communications and Media Studies, Philosophy, Modern Languages and
History all featured in the top 51-100 world-wide. All subjects were ranked top in New Zealand, apart from History which
was ranked second.
Dean of Arts Professor Robert Greenberg, says the results are great news for the Arts.
“As in previous years, a number of our disciplines in the Faculty of Arts placed in the top 50 of the QS subject
rankings, and others are close behind in the top 100,” he says.
“We are very pleased to see Archaeology achieved the best result for the University of Auckland with a ranking of 20. We
are very proud of the achievements of our Archaeology programme and of its dedicated staff and excellent students.”
Head of Social Sciences Professor Simon Holdaway says the QS rankings reflect the quality of archaeology taught at
Auckland and the high level of engagement between staff and students.
“Archaeologists at Auckland are well known for the research projects they undertake both within New Zealand and
overseas.
“These projects feature some of the most innovative approaches to both archaeological fieldwork and analysis available
worldwide. Archaeology students at Auckland learn state-of-the-art techniques with hands on experience in both the field
and laboratory.”
Professor Holdaway, who has recently been leading archaeology fieldwork on Great Mercury Island off the coast of the
Coromandel Peninsula, says the University’s archaeology students work closely with academic staff in multidisciplinary
projects both within New Zealand and beyond including the Auckland Museum and other universities worldwide.
“As a consequence, University of Auckland Archaeology students are much sought after by heritage management employers
nationally, in Australasia and around the Pacific Basin.”
Founded in 1990, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is the leading global provider of higher education and careers information
and independent research. Its activities span across 50 countries, working with over 2,000 international universities
and business schools.
Since 2011, QS has extended the scope of the world’s rankings to include the evaluation of individual disciplines. The
rankings are based on research citations, alongside reputational surveys of over 121,000 academics and graduate
employers worldwide.
ENDS