Edinburgh Humanities among world's best

For the second year running the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012/2013, rated the University 11th in the world for the humanities, 4th in the UK and Europe.

The poll, announced this month, saw the University rise four places overall, to 32nd in the world.

This year’s rankings indicate a widening gap between a “super-elite” group of UK universities, which includes Edinburgh, and the rest of the country’s institutions, according to the Times Higher.

The survey is based on performance indicators that examine teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

At subject level we only rank the world's very, very best institutions, in a global top 50, so it is a real achievement to be listed at all. So to make 11th place is outstanding.

Phil Baty

Excellence past and present

Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh has, for more than 400 years, been one of the most influential centres of knowledge in the world. Humanities and social sciences have been embedded in its curriculum from the beginning.

Located in the Scottish capital, notable alumni in the humanities include Harry Potter author JK Rowling, philosopher David Hume, Nobel prize winning economist James Mirrlees, and crime author Ian Rankin.

Recent developments include the merger with Edinburgh College of Art, the creation of the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships, one of the most generous funding schemes for the humanities, and new centres to study the cultures of China and Russia.

Future for the humanities

The University has recently published a new Strategic Plan that outlines the vision for the next four years as it continues to push boundaries, embrace opportunities and compete successfully with the very best institutions in the world.

Everyone associated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is justly proud of its position among the world's top institutions for the quality of its work in the arts and humanities. The Times Higher rankings confirm that Edinburgh is one of the best places in the world for the study of the human condition.

Professor Dorothy Miell