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ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) Methodology

Academic Ranking of World Universities focuses on research output, alumni achievements and faculty awards. 6 indicators weighted as follows:

Indicators & weights

6 indicators
  • 10%

    Alumni Award

    Alumni winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals

  • 20%

    Award

    Staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals

  • 20%

    Highly Cited Researchers

    Number of researchers in 21 broad subject categories

  • 20%

    Nature & Science

    Papers published in Nature or Science journals

  • 20%

    Publications

    Papers indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded + Social Science Citation Index

  • 10%

    Per Capita Performance

    Per capita academic performance — weighted score divided by full-time academic staff

Total weight: 100%

Source:

shanghairanking.com/methodology ↗

Why we publish methodology

Every ranking on this site is computed from a public, transparent indicator set. We do not move universities up or down for commercial reasons.

Where the ranking source is external (QS, THE, ARWU), we link to the original methodology document. Where the signal is computed in-house (community mention score, programme count), we explain the inputs end-to-end.

Spot a number that does not match the official source? Open a feedback ticket — we update within 48 hours.

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