Which Philippine Universities Lead in Key Academic Fields?
Only three schools make it to QS World University Rankings by Subject.
(SPOT.ph) The rivalry between our universities is a bit of an open secret, whether it's about sports, cheerleading, heck, even the nearby watering holes are ranked. But if we're talking actual academics, like where it's best to study a certain field, which university comes out on top for each?
We already know which university is best according to U.K.-based Times Higher Education Asia rankings for 2024, so it's time to zoom in on which is best depending on different fields. Well, only three Philippine universities—University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and De La Salle University (DLSU)—made it to four out of five various subject areas in the 2024 edition of the Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject.
These five subject areas are Arts and Design; Engineering and Technology; Life Sciences and Medicine; Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences and Management.
Let's take a closer look at the results.
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Philippine schools in 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject
- Arts and Humanities: ADMU
- Engineering and Technology: UP
- Life Sciences and Medicine: UP
- Natural Sciences: None
- Social Sciences and Management: UP
ADMU led the rankings among the Philippine universities in Arts and Humanities, securing the 325th spot globally with a score of 65.6. UP wasn't too far behind at rank 351 with a score of 64.8, while DLSU managed to land in the 401-450 bracket.
UP was the only Philippine university to rank in Engineering and Technology as well as Life Sciences and Medicine, both within the 501-550 bracket.
UP also led in Social Sciences and Management at 276th globally, with ADMU and DLSU following behind in the 401-450 bracket.
None of the Philippine universities were listed in the Natural Sciences rankings. However, UP was acknowledged in four specific Natural Sciences subjects: Geography in the 201-230 range; Environmental Sciences in the 351-400 range; Mathematics in the 501-550 range; and Physics and Astronomy in the 551-600 range. The rest of the Natural Sciences subjects include Chemistry; Earth and Marine Science; Geology; Geophysics; Materials Science.
In 2023, UP remained the top Philippine university at the QS Asia Rankings, while Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings has recently placed ADMU as the top Philippine university of 2024.
The field of Arts and Humanities looked into the subjects of Archaeology; Architecture; Art and Design; Ancient History; English Language and Literature; History; Linguistics; Modern Languages; Performing Arts; Philosophy; and Theology.
Engineering and Technology include Computer Science; Chemical; Civil and Structural; Electrical and Electronic; Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing; Mineral and Mining; and Petroleum, while Life Sciences and Mecidine include Agriculture; Anatomy and Physiology; Biological Sciences; Dentistry; Medicine; Nursing; Pharmacy and Pharmacology; Psychology; and Veterinary Science.
Social Sciences and Management include Accounting and Finance; Anthropology; Business and Management Studies; Communication and Media Studies; Development Studies; Economics; Education; Hospitality; Law; Library and Information Management; Politics; Social Policy and Administration; Sociology; Sports-Related Subjects; and Statistics.
Quacquarelli Symonds is an analytics company that looks into global higher education. Their World University Rankings started way back in 2004.
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