The 15 most popular World University Rankings stories of 2017

The past 12 months has seen Times Higher Education publish more rankings than ever before.

As well as releasing our flagship THE World University Rankings in September, and several regional tables throughout the year, we published our first Japan University Rankings, produced in partnership with Japanese education company Benesse.

The table was modelled on The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, which was published for the second time this year.

Our Young University Rankings, which was released for the sixth time this year, also included new tables focusing on different generations of institutions, alongside the traditional Under 50 list.

And we expanded the number of subject rankings, releasing lists of the world’s best universities by 11 subjects, up from eight last year.

The 15 articles below relate to the most popular rankings of the year, based on website traffic. In most cases, the tables were devised, compiled and published by THE.

For more information on our university rankings, visit the World University Rankings home page.

15. World University Rankings 2018: now starring a cast of thousands

Phil Baty, our editorial director of global rankings, announces the release of our THE World University Rankings 2018, which included 1,000 institutions for the first time.

14. Young University Rankings 2017: Golden Age universities

The University of California, San Diego topped our first table of the world’s best universities established between 1945 and 1966, released in April.

13. World University Rankings 2018 by subject: psychology, life sciences and clinical results out now

For the first time this year, psychology was ranked separately from social sciences in the THE subject rankings. The psychology table was released alongside lists of the world’s best universities for life sciences and clinical, pre-clinical and health subjects.

12. Does liberal arts education have an image problem?

Has liberal arts education become redundant or does it simply need a makeover? We analysed the results of our Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings to find out.

11. The Global University Employability Ranking 2017

In November, we revealed the top 150 universities for delivering work-ready graduates, and found out which skills are most prized by employers.

10. THE Europe University Rankings 2017: powers behind the throne

We investigated which countries might be continental kings after Brexit by analysing the results of our THE Europe University Rankings.

9. Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2017: results

The University of Tokyo topped our first ranking of the best universities in Japan, based on the teaching and learning environments that institutions offer students.

8. World University Rankings 2018 by subject: engineering and computer science results out now

Some surprising results from one of our subject rankings. Asia is home to more world-class universities in engineering and technology than North America.

7. World University Rankings 2018 by subject: four results out now

Another subject rankings story. This time revealing the institutions that are the best in the world for social sciences, business and economics, education and law.

6. Young University Rankings 2017: results announced

Newer universities excel when it comes to internationalisation, our ranking of the world’s top young universities revealed in April.

5. Asia University Rankings 2017: results announced

Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand are among the Asian nations that could become leading higher education hubs in future years, according to our ranking of the top universities in the continent.

4. Latin America University Rankings 2017: results out now

Brazil’s State University of Campinas became the top university in Latin America for the first time in July.

3. World Reputation Rankings 2017: results announced

More good news for Asia, as several universities in the continent overtake top Western brands in our ranking of the world’s most prestigious universities.  

2. The World’s Most International Universities 2017

Universities from small, export-reliant countries, where English is an official language or widely spoken, did well in our first international ranking.

1. THE World University Rankings 2018: results announced

And the most popular ranking of 2017 was the publication of the latest THE World University Rankings results! It was led by two UK institutions for the first time.