World University Rankings 2018 by subject: physical sciences

The 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings’ table for physical sciences subjects employs the same rigorous and balanced range of 13 performance indicators used in the overall World University Rankings, but the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the individual fields.

It highlights the universities that are leading across mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology and environmental sciences subjects.

This year’s ranking has expanded to include 500 institutions, up from 100 last year.

View the World University Rankings 2018 by subject: physical sciences methodology

Princeton University tops the table for the first time since 2015, overtaking both Harvard and Stanford universities. Princeton’s industry income score increased dramatically this year, while its teaching environment also improved. Overall the US dominates the table, claiming 115 places.

Australia has achieved a strong performance in the table, with its top three institutions rising up the list. China is another stand-out performer, with 23 representatives, the same number as Australia. Its top four institutions have all risen.

Meanwhile, in Europe, all four of the Netherlands’ top-100 representatives have risen.

However, other leading university nations have suffered declines. The majority of Germany’s 10 institutions in the top 100 have fallen since last year. The reasons vary by institution but most saw drops in their scores for teaching and research.

Leading institutions in Canada and South Korea have also dropped.

Overall, 50 countries make the top 500 list, including 32 for the first time, as a result of the expansion of the table.

View the full results of the overall World University Rankings 2018
Download a free copy of the World University Rankings 2018 digital supplement 
Read our article on the best universities for physical science degrees

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