Finnish universities feature in global ranking of academic subjects

The global index compared the offering of 54 subjects spread across natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences. Altogether more than 1 800 out of 5 000 universities were listed, representing 96 countries and regions.

The University of Helsinki was the best performing university overall from Finland, with high placements for its offering in ecology (26th), dentistry and oral sciences (31st), geography (35th), atmospheric science (35th), communication (41st), public health (44th), agricultural sciences (46th), and remote sensing (47th).

Aalto University was the next highest ranking Finnish institution. Marine/ocean engineering at the university did particularly well, deemed the world’s 21st best. Management (38th), library and information science (46th), telecommunication engineering (51–75), computer science and engineering (51–75), electrical and electronic engineering (76–100), and remote sensing (76–100) also ranked favourably.

Aalto’s business administration studies are also the world’s 24th best. Hanken School of Economics also fared well in this subject, ranking in the 51–75 bracket. It was also the top performing research area at the University of Vaasa (151–200) and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (301–400).

The University of Turku saw high placings in food science and technology (51–75), dentistry and oral sciences (51–75), nursing (51–75), and library and information science 51–75. The University of Oulu was lauded for its telecommunication engineering (51–75), mining and mineral engineering (51–75), education (51–75), and electrical and electronic engineering (76–100).

Tampere University’s telecommunication studies are the 45th best in the world, and it also fared prominently in communication (51–75), and library and information science (76–100).

The University of Eastern Finland was applauded for its atmospheric science (76–100), pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences (76–100), and hospitality and tourism management (76–100). Education research at the University of Jyväskylä is ranked 44th and its library and information science in the 51–75 bracket.

Åbo Akademi University had a quartet of disciplines in the 301–400 bracket: chemical engineering, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, law, and political sciences.

The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) rankings are compiled using academic indicators and third-party data to measure the performance of universities across their respective subjects. ShanghaiRankings are widely considered one of the leading university appraisals globally. Aside from GRAS, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy also publishes the Academic Ranking of World Universities annually. The consultancy itself is a fully independent organisation and bears no legal ties to any universities or government agencies.