SOAS improves its subject rankings in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021

4 March 2021

SOAS University of London has once again featured amongst the world’s elite institutions in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. This year, SOAS remains in the top 50 ranking in the world for Arts and Humanities at 44th (up from 49th in 2020) and within the top ten in the UK (8th).

Ten subject areas across a broad range of disciplines ranked among the world’s top 100 and six ranked among the top 50. Top ranking subjects include Development Studies at 5th (up from 6th in 2020), Anthropology at 16th and Politics at 21st. History remains at 45th whilst Geography ranked at equal 33rd (up from 39th in 2020). Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies has also ranked in the top 50. Linguistics has also improved its ranking moving from 75th in 2020 to 61st in 2021.

SOAS also has seven subjects in the UK top ten rankings including Development Studies ranked 4th in the UK whilst Politics and Anthropology both ranked at 5th. Linguistics ranked at 8th and Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies ranked 9th. Modern Languages and Geography both ranked 10th.

Upon hearing the news of the ranking of 5th in the world for Development Studies, Professor Zoe Marriage, Head of Development studies said:

“This is really excellent news for our department. It is testament to the dedication of our colleagues to teaching and research on the most pressing issues of contemporary development. It also stands as recognition of the outstanding contributions that our students and alumni around the world make to processes of development, justice and reducing inequality.”

Find out more about the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.