Waterloo gains ground in world rankings

The University of Waterloo is in the top 150 universities in the world according to one prestigious global ranking just released. This strong performance is one of several for the University in rankings released this year. 

The Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings places Waterloo in the 126-150 band. Previously THE ranked just those universities in the top 100. Only invited academics may contribute to the global survey that informs the rankings, which asks them for their opinions about research and teaching excellence in their disciplines at post-secondary institutions they know.

A university’s performance in rankings can determine the level of an institution’s prestige, and may influence student application rates,  lucrative research partnerships and more. 

“The success of the University of Waterloo and this important ranking is only possible because of the hard work of our entire community,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “Waterloo’s reputation as a world-class university is strengthened everyday by the academic excellence of our students, the global impact of our researchers and scholars, and so much more. These achievements matter and the world is taking even greater notice of Waterloo as the home of global leaders.”

The most notable increases in THE World Subject Rankings over last year saw psychology improve to number 78, and engineering moved up to 82 among the approximately 1,000 universities that take part. 

The QS World University Rankings puts Waterloo at number 25 for graduate employability among the 1,000 universities in the ranking. It also shows mathematics increased to number 41 in the world and engineering and technology is 57. In a separate category, computer science ranked 24. While many other subjects maintained in the top 100 in the world—physics and astronomy, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, statistics and operational research, sports-related subjects and hospitality and leisure management studies—a few subjects saw gains.  Environmental science, philosophy and mechanical engineering all bumped up to different bands from last year. Overall, the QS ranking has Waterloo at 166 in the world.  While QS lists the top 1,000 universities in the world, it considers another 5,500 that do not make the cut. 

The ARWU World University Rankings by Subject indicate Waterloo made gains in 10 areas. Among the highlights: Electrical and electronic engineering rose to 41, and second place in Canada. Waterloo was ranked 50 for energy science and engineering, enough to be first in Canada. Physics is also first in Canada, with an increase to the 51-75 band. 

Waterloo rose seven places overall in the US News Global University Rankings, which looks at the top 1,500 universities. Waterloo ranked 21 in 38 subjects and ninth in Canada overall. The University performed well in two new subjects for the ranking this year.  In energy and fuel cells, Waterloo is 43 and first in Canada.  Waterloo is 82 in nanoscience, and second in the country.

In the most recent rankings of Maclean’s magazine, in the category for comprehensive universities Waterloo held onto first place for reputation, success in social sciences and humanities grants and scholarships and bursaries as a percentage of operating budget. In addition, Waterloo improved in the area of student satisfaction, increasing to sixth in Canada.

For more detail on Waterloo’s performance in these rankings, please visit the website for Institutional Analysis and Planning.