QS Rankings

Latest QS World University Rankings see University of Galway ranked in the 273rd in the world

In June 2024, QS published their 21st edition of the  QS World University Ranking Results 2025, with the largest ever number of universities partaking - a total of 1,503 institutions across 106 locations.  University of Galway was ranked 273rd place in 2024 (up from 289th in 2023) placing us in the Top 2% of universities globally. 

In 2023, for their 20th edition, QS significantly evolved their methodology, reflecting the shift towards sustainability and employability and research collaborations in higher education. 

The chart below shows University of Galway's overall ranking performance in the QS World University Ranking since 2011 .

QS Subject Rankings Highlight Advances by NUI Galway

Since 2014, NUI Galway has moved up 42 places, having improved its ranking in 8 of the previous 9 years. NUI Galway continues to perform strongly in its International scores, reflecting the welcoming and vibrant population of Galway City. In particular, this year, NUI Galway has improved substantively with regard to its academic and employer reputation internationally.

Speaking on the announcement of this year’s QS rankings, President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said:

“This announcement provides welcome news during these uncertain times, and reflects the commitment of our campus community to the highest standards in our work. Excellence is a core strategic value of NUI Galway with an objective to respect and support the ambition of our students and staff so they are enabled to be excellent in their contributions to our communities. The openness and diversity of our university empowers us as we forge further links around the world to sustain and strengthen our mission.”

In total, eight Irish universities feature among the world’s top 1000 institutions. As a group, all eight Irish universities improved their Academic Reputation score over the past twelve months, indicating increasing regard for their academic standards among the 102,000 faculty surveyed by QS.

NUI Galway has adapted its research focus in recent months to enable a multi-disciplinary response to the COVID-19 emergency, with agile modes of teaching and learning facilitating its community around the world.

Professor Ó hÓgartaigh continued: “Our response to the pandemic has highlighted our commitment to together looking globally for the public good and we look forward to tackling the challenges that face us and our society with bravery and ambition in times ahead. As the world seeks to contain, rebuild and learn from this crisis, the role of academia and investment in education are vital one to the global effort, underpinning our commitment to public health and to reimaging our humanity.” The full rankings can be found at www.TopUniversities.com

The QS 2021 Subject Rankings (published 3rd  March 2021), show NUI Galway to have achieved/retained a rank in nineteen subjects.  This year we see the subject of Nursing returning to the ranking table and an improvement in three subjects Computer Science & Information Systems (251-300), Psychology (201-250) and Education (201-250).  The QS World University Rankings by Subject cover a total of 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas. They are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject.  

See details below of NUI Galway's performance in the 2021 Subject Rankings with those subjects which have improved highlighted in green.  For further details of other universities, click on the QS 2021 Subject Rankings.