The QS ranking is based on surveying academic staff that declare a speciality in the subject area, and employers who recruit graduates that specialise in the discipline. It also takes into account research output and impact, with both citations and paper output measured over a five-year period.
Sports-related research has always been at the heart of Loughborough. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Sports Technology Institute and Institute for Sport Business are all renowned for the fundamental and applied research they undertake in this field.
Loughborough has taken the best in the world title ever since it was launched by QS in 2017 – further testament to its outstanding regard among the international academic community – and the University is one of only nine institutions in the UK to have a subject area in the global top spot.
Speaking about Loughborough’s continued success, Professor Nick Jennings, Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “Teaching and research of sports disciplines is part of our DNA. To have this continually recognised in an international ranking, which is based on peer reviews and research output, is a great honour and underlines the talent of our world-leading academic colleagues.
“As the University prepares to embark on its new strategy, sport and wellbeing will remain a key focus for our research priorities.”
Dr Andrew MacFarlane, QS Rankings Manager, added: “Loughborough University holds onto the coveted top spot again in this year’s ranking of Sports-related subjects. With 70% of this subject ranking coming from reputation, it is clear that Loughborough has made a sustained impact both in academia and industry for this field.
“Researchers at Loughborough have also been highly cited in areas such as child health outcomes, professional athletics and sports innovation. Furthermore, with over 50% of their research conducted with international research partners, we can see that they excel in working cooperatively and across borders to solve some of the leading sports-related research questions.”
Loughborough has been ranked in the QS global top 100 in four other subject areas: Library and Information Management (21st) – reflecting work undertaken in the Schools of Social Sciences and Humanities and Business and Economics; Art and Design (=27th); Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing (64=) – reflecting work undertaken in the Schools of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering and Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering; and Communication & Media Studies (51-100).
The full QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 tables can be found here. Read more about Loughborough’s success in the QS rankings.