What are rankings
Rankings are classifications of the world's universities drawn up by private agencies or by universities and research centres.
Rankings are based on data from public sources and information requested from participating universities themselves.
There are many rankings and each considers different parameters, the most important being academic reputation, scientific publications, number of students, educational offerings, environmental impact, and services to society.
These often fail to fully reflect the complex reality of academic institutions due to several factors, including the number of universities assessed which changes per ranking and the weightings and indicators used.
However, rankings are increasingly consulted because they offer a national and international overview of universities.
The University of Bologna in national and international rankings
The University of Bologna reaches excellent positions in the world’s major rankings every year. Such recognition confirms the university's commitment to continuous improvement.
Ranking results
Sustainability rankings
Sustainability, a highly relevant topic, has three main dedicated rankings that compare the universities' commitment to the environment (care of buildings, greenery, people's health), social issues (e.g. attention to gender equality), culture (courses on environmental issues, cultural activities) and economic concerns (research funding in the field of sustainability, start-ups in the sustainability sector).
- UI Greenmetric - World University Rankings
The University of Bologna ranks 12th worldwide and 1st nationally. First worldwide in the Transportation category.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology - THE Impact - Rankings
The University of Bologna ranks 23rd worldwide (UN sustainability goals), 2nd in the European Union and 1st in Italy. It ranks second worldwide in 'Gender equality' (SDG 5)
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology - QS - Sustainability
The University of Bologna ranks 108th globally, securing the 1st position nationally.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology
Discipline Rankings
A tool for comparing global universities based on the 5 major disciplinary areas: Scienze Umanistiche, Scienze Sociali & Management; Scienze Naturali; Scienze della vita e Medicina; Ingegneria e Medicina.
- QS - Rankings by Subject
The global ranking analyzes 55 subjects. With 28 disciplines, the University of Bologna ranks in the top 100 in the world and with 18 it ranks first in Italy.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology
Research and Reputation Rankings
The four most relevant rankings for comparing universities in research, dissemination of scientific knowledge, internationalization, publications, alumni and faculty Nobel laureates and Fields Medalists, and the social and environmental impact of universities as centres of education and research.
- THE WUR - World University Rankings
The University of Bologna is steadily improving, ranking 155th in the world and confirming in first place in Italy for the fourth year running.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology - QS - World University Rankings
Among the world's top 200 universities, the University of Bologna ranks 154th, and is constantly improving. In Italy it ranks 3rd. In terms of academic reputation, the most significant indicator in the ranking, it ranks 1st in Italy and 73rd in the world.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology - QS - World University Rankings Europe
The University of Bologna ranks 78th in Europe and 3rd in Italy. It is thus positioned in the top 12%.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology - ARWU - Academic Ranking of World Universities
The University of Bologna ranks in the 201-300 range worldwide and 5th nationally.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology
Italian Universities Rankings
The ranking of disciplinary areas of Italian universities prepared by Censis, the Centre for Social Investment Studies.
- Censis
In the Italian Censis rankings, the University of Bologna ranks first among Italian mega-universities, a result that has been confirmed for 14 years.
Learn more about the university’s positioning and the methodology