Umeå University ranked among world’s best

In the annual world ranking compiled by the Times Higher Education (THE) magazine, Umeå University was listed in the top 100 in Europe and 201-225 group worldwide.

This is a jump up in the rankings of about 50 in comparison with last year’s World University Rankings by THE.

"It’s extremely gratifying, even if you always have to take in ranking results with a pinch of salt, but THE’s ranking is among the most reliable," says Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. "To be among the 225 leading universities of the thousands of institutions involved must be said to be a very good rating. It shows that we should be seen as an international university and that also makes us even more interesting rom a regional standpoint."

Universities are judged on 13 performance indicators, taking in research, teaching, knowledge transfer and international activity. This year the methodology has been tweaked to put arts institutions on a more even footing with those excelling in science. The data is provided by Thomson Reuters.

Umeå University received highest marks for citations -- research influence and international outlook -- staff, students and research.

The top three universities are from the United States, and the California Institute of Technology climbed over Harvard for the top spot for the first time. As for Swedish institutions, ten made the top 400 list, with Karolinska Institute ranked highest in 32nd place.

Top 400 World Universities - Times Higher Education’s for 2011-2012.