Sweden has 13 universities ranked in total, with seven of them improving their position from last year. This represents an improvement rate of 31 per cent for Sweden – the highest improvement rate of all nations with at least 10 ranked institutions. Karolinska Institutet is the highest ranked Swedish institution of higher education, in 49th place.
The top of the list is still dominated by British and American universities. However, Europe is steadily declining as countries in Asia improve and the Chinese mainland is getting ever closer to a position in the global top 10. The University of Oxford is the world’s top ranked university for a record breaking ninth year in a row.
Best placement ever among young universities
Earlier this year LiU achieved its best placement ever – 31st place – in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings. This ranking lists the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.
Linköping University remains among the top two per cent in the three most important global university rankings. The two other rankings usually considered to be most significant are the so-called Shanghai ranking (Academic Rankings of World Universities) and the QS World University Rankings. LiU landed a place in the 301-400 band in this year’s Shanghai ranking and 304th place in the QS ranking.
It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 universities in the world, but only the leading ones make the ranking lists.