Law, a traditional area of strength for Victoria, maintained its world-leading position, being placed 45th in the 2015 QS World University Rankings.
The reputation of Victoria’s Humanities faculty has been cemented, with four subjects in this area being ranked in the top 100. They are English Language and Literature, History, Linguistics and Sociology.
The University’s strength in the humanities is further evidenced through its number one ranking amongst New Zealand universities in Communications and Media Studies, a subject in which Victoria is also ranked among the top 150 in the world. In addition, Victoria is one of the universities in New Zealand that is first equal in History.
Outstanding results were also achieved by Victoria in Accounting and Finance, Art and Design, Development Studies, Education, Geography and Psychology, all of which also placed in the top 100 globally.
An additional five subjects at Victoria are ranked in the top 150 in the world. They are Philosophy, Computer Science and Information Systems, Earth and Marine Sciences, Business and Management Studies, and Politics and International Studies. In Earth and Marine Sciences, Victoria is one of the universities that is first equal in New Zealand.
“Our results show that we are indeed an internationally respected and globally ranked capital city university,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford. “Victoria compares favourably in subject rankings with other capital city universities around the world, such as Georgetown in Washington DC.
"This is a tremendous result for Victoria, especially given that the methods used by the ranking agency favour large universities."
Professor Guilford says it is extremely pleasing to see that the majority of subject areas at Victoria covered by the rankings—19 in total—have improved or maintained their standing between 2014 and 2015.