Ruperto Carola Again Best German University in Shanghai Ranking

Top again in Germany! The Shanghai Ranking for 2017, i.e. the Academic Ranking of World Universities, today revealed that Heidelberg University is again the best university in Germany, for the fourth successive time after 2014, 2015 and 2016. Compared to last year, it has moved up five places to rank 42nd internationally. In Europe, it edged up to 11th place (12th in 2016). A total of four German universities are among the top 100 of the world’s best.

The Shanghai ranking measures the scholarly influence of the universities, focusing on the importance of their research. Publications and citations in international journals each account for 20 per cent of the rating. Those researchers cited most frequently make up 20 per cent, as do Nobel Prize or Fields Medal winners. Finally, 10 per cent goes, respectively, to alumni who have received one of those prestigious honours and to academic performance based on the size of the university.

In 2010 Heidelberg University was ranked 63rd internationally, 17th in Europe and third in Germany.