The Times Higher University Rankings is a comprehensive global university performance table that has been published since 2004. This year 1,000 higher education institutions worldwide have been judged across their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. Being among the top 100 of the ranking marks a considerable distinction.
Long-term expertise and innovation
With an overall rating of 87.7 ETH secured the 10th place in the annual ranking and therefore remains in the top ten list. ETH was established in 1855 and has belonged to the world’s most prestigious universities in science and technology for a long time. By now ETH has produced 20 Nobel Prize Laureats, including Albert Einstein, Felix Bloch or Kurt Wüthrich, to name a few. In order to stay in the fore, the Zurich based institution heavily relies on its strong ties with researchers, foreign partners and key stakeholders who also support its cutting-edge research.
Academic diversity
The second of the two renowned Swiss Federal Institutions of Technology L’Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) reached an overall score of 75.3 and is ranked 38th. EPFL is located in the French part of Switzerland and was founded in 1969. It has three missions: education, research and technology transfer at the highest international level. EPFL consists of five schools, two colleges, one transdisciplinary entity, 23 Institutes and 353 laboratories (in 2016).
Founded in 1460 the University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland. In this year’s Times Higher Education Rankings it placed 95th with 60.9 points. While ETH and EPFL focus on science and technology, the University of Basel offers a broader spectrum of academic disciplines. Its strengths lie with life sciences, visual studies, nanosciences, sustainability and energy research as well as European and global studies.
Economic drive
Being a small country with only few natural resources, Switzerland strives to support its economy with high performances in education and innovation. Therefore, the education system is a top priority for the Swiss government. It has the world’s second public per capita spending on education (IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2016). A smart move for Switzerland’s economy and reputation. Swiss universities continuously make it into global university rankings. The three excellent Swiss universities mentioned above only recently figured on the top 100 list of the annual “Shanghai Ranking” of the best universities worldwide.
