Social Sciences and Law in top 50 in world rankings

Social Sciences at Essex has been ranked 46th – a massive jump of 37 places – in new Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2018.

In Law, a new subject ranking for this year, we're 47th, and we're in the top 150 globally for business and economics, which has been separated out from the main social sciences rankings in this year's THE World University Rankings.

Executive Dean for Social Sciences, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “The social sciences are at the heart of the University of Essex, and we're delighted to see our strengths across education and research recognised. Our rigorous and critical research in political science and sociology tackles many of the most important questions facing us today, and we've long pioneered new theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of the social world.

“In recent years we've grown both our student population and academic staff very significantly, and we're proud that we're appointing and developing the next generation of innovators in the social sciences. We're leading the way in quantitative social science, including the analysis of big data and experimental methods, in bio-social research, and in the emerging field of psychosocial studies, as well as in our established disciplines.”

Executive Dean for Humanities, Professor Andrew Le Sueur, said: “A place in the top 50 for law recognises the breadth and depth of work by colleagues in the School of Law and the achievements of our students. A commitment to working across disciplinary boundaries on real problems characterises our research – across areas such as enforcement of human rights, big data, administrative justice, drugs policy, transitional justice, consumer protection and commercial policy.”

The THE World University Rankings were introduced in 2004 and evaluate the world’s top universities for their teaching, research, international outlook, reputation and much more.

In the overall rankings, announced last month, Essex was in the top 300 globally – our highest ranking for five years.  This includes being ranked in the top 20 for 'international outlook', reflecting our ability to attract students and research talent from around the world and our commitment to working with leading institutions across the globe.

For the purposes of the THE World University Rankings, Social Sciences includes Communications and Media Studies, Politics and International Studies, Sociology and Geography.