International Rankings Place Heidelberg among Top German Universities
In all three of the major international rankings, Heidelberg University is among the top three of German universities, therefore making it one of the world’s best 100 universities in each. In the QS World University Ranking for 2015 it ranked No. 2 in a Germanywide comparison. In the 2015 Shanghai Ranking of World Universities, Heidelberg asserted last year’s leading position among the German universities. In international comparison, Heidelberg University came 46th in this ranking as well. The 2014 Times Higher Education Ranking places Heidelberg University third in Germany and includes it in the six German universities in the international top 100. The university library is once again a front runner among the major academic libraries in Germany for the year 2015.
QS World University Ranking
In the QS World University Rankings 2015 Heidelberg University ranks second after Munich's Technical University in a Germanywide comparison. Among the leading universities worldwide Heidelberg is listed 66th, Munich's Technical University ranks 60th, other German universities in the world's top 100 include Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (75th) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (93rd). In the QS World University Rankings 2015, Heidelberg University placed 20th in Europe. The QS World University Ranking rates academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, employer reputation and the proportion of international faculty and students. The method for determining the current results has been changed compared to the previous year.
Shanghai Ranking
Heidelberg University has been ranked the best university in Germany in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, also known as the Shanghai Ranking. Ruperto Carola climbed three places to 46th internationally, after having dropped five places in 2014. There was improvement on the European level as well. Compared to other universities in Europe, Heidelberg University moved into 10th place from 12th in 2014. Four German universities are ranked among the world’s top 100, with the Technical University of Munich at 51st, followed by Ludwig Maximilian University at 52nd, and the University of Bonn at 97th. The Shanghai ranking especially measures an institution’s scientific influence, making research a key factor in the evaluation. Publications and citations in international scientific journals make up 40% of the total score, alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals 30%, most frequently cited researchers 20%, and academic performance based on the size of the university 10%. From 2010 to 2015, Heidelberg University’s international standing has risen to 46th from 63rd.
Times Higher Education Ranking
In 2014, the Times Higher Education Ranking included six German universities among the international top 100. Heidelberg is 70th internationally. Among German universities, Heidelberg ranks third after Munich’s LMU and Göttingen. The analysis, conducted in cooperation with Thomson Reuters, takes into account 13 individual indicators that fall into five main categories. Citations were weighted the highest, along with teaching quality and research (each 30%). The percentage of international students, staff and co-authors of scientific publications (7.5%) was also considered. Research funding by industry was factored in as well (2.5%).
BIX Library Index
In 2015 – and for the sixth consecutive time – Heidelberg University Library has ranked first in the renowned BIX Library Index. Heidelberg is the only major academic library to be among the leaders in the offerings, usage, efficiency, and development categories. The expanded media offering, high utilization rates, and highly effective workflows are rated excellent. Performance in the four categories evaluated is also particularly well balanced. With nine million downloads from the e-library, 1.5 million loans, 2.9 virtual visitors and 2.3 million visitors on site, the university library is among the most frequented libraries in Germany. Its outstanding rating in the development category is particularly significant, underscoring the strength of innovation and sustainability of Heidelberg University Library.
