Key points:
- ACU has achieved its highest ever global ranking for both theology and philosophy in the QS World University Rankings by Subject
- ACU's Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies program was ranked number one in Australia, and top 20 globally
- ACU's Philosophy program ranked in the top ten in Australia, and top 100 globally
Australian Catholic University (ACU) has ranked number one in Australia and in the top 20 globally for theology in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, while ACU's philosophy discipline was ranked in the nation's top ten, entering the top 100 globally.
In the Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies rankings, ACU jumped four places to number 18 in the world – its highest ever global ranking, and a milestone for academic excellence and global impact.
ACU's Philosophy program made its first appearance in the prestigious rankings, debuting at number 9 in Australia, and within the top 51 – 100 universities worldwide.
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy Executive Dean Professor Richard Colledge said that this marked the fifth successive year that ACU had led the nation in the field of theology and religious studies.
"One of the key responsibilities of a Catholic university is to contribute to theological scholarship of the highest order, and this ranking result reinforces our reputation as a leader in the discipline on the world stage," Professor Colledge said.
Professor Colledge said he was also proud to see ACU's philosophy program make its debut in Australia's top ten in the QS Rankings by Subject.
"Catholic universities have a long history of nurturing high-quality teaching and innovative research in philosophy, and it's great to see ACU's program recognised for its strength in this field," Professor Colledge said.
"Entering the top ten for the first time highlights the momentum our philosophy program has built in recent years, drawing on a broad base of philosophical sub-disciplines and methodologies," Professor Colledge said.
ACU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Abid Khan said the strong showing for both disciplines in the QS World rankings reflected ACU's commitment to world-class research and teaching.
"We are delighted with these outstanding results, which are a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the curiosity and ambition of our students," Professor Khan said.
"These disciplines prepare our students to grapple with the biggest questions facing society, challenging them to think deeply about ethics, justice and the future of our world.
"Alongside ACU's world-class global research partnerships in these disciplines, ACU's Rome Campus provides us with a fantastic venue for research collaboration and hands-on coursework experiences for our students."
The QS World University Rankings by Subject are based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research citations.
