The Computer Science Department ranks high

In the recent National Taiwan University rankings, Computer Science at Aalto was ranked #116 in the world and #28 in Europe, and was leader in the Nordic countries. Last year the placement of the Department of Computer Science in this ranking was #139, in Europe#36, and before that #150/#41.

On the well-known Academic Ranking of World Universities (also known as the "Shanghai list"), the Department is placed internationally in the 151-200 bracket, with 34 European universities in the upper brackets. In the QS World University rankings, the Department is in the 101-150 bracket, with 32 European universities in the upper brackets.

The US News and World Report rankings extended its coverage to Europe last year and now this year the Department improved its position from last year to #83 in the world and #20 in Europe. Last year the Department was at #98 in the world and #23 in Europe.

– Because of the different methodologies of the rankings one may disagree with some of the conclusions, but it is a hard fact that these listings are widely followed and affect both the Department's international attractiveness in student recruitment and partnerships, and its national standing in initiatives and funding, says Head of the Department, Professor Pekka Orponen.

In the Department’s long-term strategic plan it has specified as its targets to be among the world's top-50 ICT universities in 2020 (European top-10), and one of the world's top-20 in 2030 (European top-3)

– These are extremely challenging goals, but our continuing rise on the ranking lists shows that we can achieve them if we just work hard, make good decisions, and "keep our eye on the ball”, Orponen says.