QS World Rankings by subject 2021

This week the Department confirmed its place among the world's most highly regarded departments for the subject of English Language and Literature. It is ranked equal 7th in the UK and 22nd in the world in the QS rankings.

Published annually since 2011, the QS World University rankings by subject highlight the world’s top universities in a range of popular subject areas. Universities are scored according to academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact (number of citations per paper).

Head of Department, Professor Helen Smith, said:

"This is a really welcome endorsement of the extraordinary quality of our teaching and research, and a testament to our excellent international reputation. We're delighted to see York confirmed as one of the world's leading English departments."

In total, nine subjects at the University were ranked in the world top 100: Archaeology (12th), English Language and Literature (22nd), History (46th), Social Policy and Administration (22nd), Education (top 100), Development Studies (top 100), Linguistics (top 100), Psychology (top 100), and Sociology (top 100).

Within the UK, four subjects are in the top 10 - Archaeology (5th), Social Policy and Administration (5th), English Literature (joint 7th), and Linguistics (10th).