Chinese mainland universities are strengthening their positions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as indicated by the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject.
Among these disciplines, chemistry stands out as the most successful and internationally recognized field among mainland universities, with 49 institutions being featured in the rankings. Notably, Peking University has improved its global ranking, securing the 13th position, and claiming the top spot in chemistry among mainland universities.
Following closely behind chemistry is biology, with 48 mainland universities included in the rankings. Tsinghua University has made significant progress, moving up eight spots to rank 24th globally and establishing itself as the leading mainland university in the field.
Materials science has also emerged as a strong discipline for mainland universities, with 46 institutions making it to the rankings. Tsinghua University maintained its top position in this field among mainland universities, securing the 12th spot globally.
Additionally, computer science is a prominent field, with 43 mainland universities featured in the rankings. Tsinghua University has shown notable improvement in this area, climbing four positions to secure the 11th spot globally.
Overall, the Chinese mainland ranks third globally in terms of the number of participating institutions, showcasing both established strengths and new developments. Mainland universities have excelled in 882 programs across 54 subjects in the rankings, reflecting growth from the previous year.
Furthermore, this year witnessed a 25 percent enhancement in Peking University’s overall ranking performance across 44 subjects, with Fudan University and Tsinghua University also showing progress. Tsinghua University, in particular, surpassed Peking University in subjects ranked in the global top 10, with four programs compared to Peking University’s two.
It is noteworthy that Tsinghua University achieved its highest global ranking, fifth place, not in a STEM field but in art history, underscoring the diversification within mainland universities. The inclusion of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in the rankings further demonstrates the expanding academic landscape in China.
Several other mainland institutions have gained recognition for specific programs. For instance, China Agricultural University’s agriculture and forestry program entered the global top 10 for the first time, while Sichuan University’s dentistry program significantly improved to rank 12th globally.
In terms of global leadership in various fields, the United States maintains the top position with 32 fields, followed by the United Kingdom with 16. Harvard University leads with 19 programs ranked first globally, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 11.
QS highlighted the depth, expansion, and excellence of higher education on the Chinese mainland in this edition of the rankings, emphasizing China’s growing influence in data science and artificial intelligence. Four Chinese mainland universities are ranked in the global top 50 for these fields, solidifying China’s role in the fifth industrial revolution and showcasing its universities’ pivotal role in driving this transformative process.