UM makes historic debut in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

The University of Malta has achieved a remarkable milestone by entering the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2025 for the first time. Clinical Medicine has been ranked in the 401–500 band globally, marking a significant international recognition of UM in this subject area.

This achievement represents the first time that any subject area at UM has been featured in the ShanghaiRanking, widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and data-driven global university rankings. Unlike many rankings that include reputation surveys, the ShanghaiRanking uses a methodology rooted in measurable data. Universities are automatically considered once they cross specific research performance thresholds. This inclusion is particularly significant because the ShanghaiRanking is heavily weighted toward research output and UM’s entry into the Clinical Medicine category is a direct reflection of its scholarly impact.  

ShanghaiRanking first introduced the Academic Ranking of World Universities by subject in 2009. In 2017, it was officially renamed the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS).

As per its methodology, the ShanghaiRanking’s GRAS evaluates universities across 57 academic disciplines, spanning Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. It is based on nine objective performance indicators, measuring World-Class Faculty, World-Class Research Output, High-Quality Research, Research Impact, and International Collabo.ration.

Bibliometric data are sourced from globally recognised databases including Web of Science and InCites, ensuring rigorous and impartial evaluation. Each year, GRAS assesses approximately 20,000 subject units from 2,000 universities across nearly 100 countries, making inclusion a significant global distinction.

UM’s entry into the Clinical Medicine rankings reflects the University’s strong research output, international collaborations, and commitment to excellence in medical science.

This achievement in Clinical Medicine is more than just a ranking; it is a clear validation of the University of Malta’s intensifying commitment to medical science and continue advancing cutting-edge medical research. By meeting the rigorous, research-heavy criteria of the ShanghaiRanking, UM has significantly bolstered its international visibility and prestige.