On this page you will find more information about ranking lists and how Chalmers works with interpreting the results in a responsible way.
Responsible use of rankings
Global university rankings attract considerable attention and can be useful tools – for students comparing study options, for universities benchmarking themselves and for observing long term trends. At Chalmers we therefore follow a selection of major rankings and subject rankings, but we do so with care and a critical eye. Rankings are based on a limited set of quantitative indicators and cannot capture the full breadth of a university’s quality, impact or strategic priorities.
We are inspired by the “ten principles for the responsible use of university rankings” developed by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) in Leiden, which emphasise that rankings must be interpreted in context, with attention to methods, uncertainty and institutional differences. Small changes in data or methodology – or in the number of institutions included – can sometimes lead to visible shifts in rank without any real change in performance.
For Chalmers, responsible use of rankings means:
- focusing on underlying data and long term patterns rather than year to year fluctuations
- combining ranking results with broader evidence on education, research and collaboration
- resisting strategies aimed solely at improving ranking indicators when they do not support our mission
Rankings are one of many inputs in our strategic analysis and communication – never the sole measure of success.
Ranking lists and methodology
At Chalmers we follow a selection of widely recognised international rankings that align with our profile as a focused technical university. Here you can learn more about the lists we refer to.