QS World University Rankings by Subject

KU among the top 100 in 27 disciplines, and first among private universities in Korea

In the World University Rankings by Subject 2020 announced by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on March 4, Korea University had the most number of disciplines ranked in the world’s top 100 among private universities in Korea.

QS named the world’s top 500 universities based on their performance in 48 disciplines under the following five broad subject areas: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Natural Sciences.

In terms of number of disciplines in the top 100, Korea University has consistently improved, with 22 disciplines in 2018, 26 in 2019, and 27 this year.

The 27 disciplines were comprised of 13 in the humanities and 14 in the natural sciences, indicating outstanding performance across subject areas. This shows that the university has succeeded in achieving balanced development. The university had 14 disciplines from the natural sciences ranked among the top 100, which is higher than KAIST, at 11, and POSTECH, at 5.

▲ Comparison of major private universities among the top 100 by subject

Korea University was ranked first among private universities in Korea for the fourth consecutive year in Social Sciences & Management, Engineering & Technology, and Natural Sciences. In Arts & Humanities, the university became the first among local private universities by jumping 38 places from 114th to 76th. In Social Sciences & Management and Engineering & Technology, it rose eight places each, ranking 43rd and 53rd, respectively.

In specific disciplines, Korea University joined the top 50 for the first time in Archaeology. Korea University was the only university in Korea to be listed among the top 100 for Anatomy & Physiology, which made the list for the first time last year.

The university ranked among the top 50 for disciplines such as Modern Languages, Archaeology, Social Policy & Administration, and Business & Management Studies, coming in at 46th, 50th, 44th, and 49th place, respectively.

In the QS World University Rankings released in June last year, Korea University was ranked in 83rd place, improving its standing for six consecutive years. This is the highest rank among private universities in Korea for the past five years. The university also took the top spot in the Asian University Rankings released last November.