Business Subject Ranking vs Business Masters Ranking: Which Should You Use?

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<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Discover the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/university-subject-rankings/top-business-schools-2020">top business and management&nbsp;schools</a>&nbsp;based on the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2020">QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020</a>.</strong></p>
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<p>Along with 47 other academic disciplines, the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2018"><strong>QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018</strong></a> reveals the best-performing universities around the world for <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2018/business-management-studies">business &amp; management studies</a>.</p>
<p>Featuring 300 universities from 45 different countries, the subject ranking is topped by <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/node/294270#sub">Harvard University</a> for a third year in a row, with three other American universities also in the top 10.</p>
<p>However, Harvard’s position may seem confusing, when you try to compare the business &amp; management studies subject ranking with the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/business-masters-rankings/2018">QS Business Masters Rankings</a>, released at the end of last year. These brand-new rankings of postgraduate business programs in <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/business-masters-rankings/finance/2018">finance</a>, <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/business-masters-rankings/management/2018">management</a> and <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/business-masters-rankings/business-analytics/2018">business analytics</a> don’t feature Harvard at all. So, what’s going on?</p>

<p>Although, on the surface, these two rankings both appear to be very similar, with a focus on business and/or management, they actually measure two very different things. The simplest way to understand this is look at the respective focus of each ranking.</p>
<p>The business &amp; management studies subject ranking assesses universities at a subject level. This incorporates multiple degree programs and multiple levels of study, from undergraduate to PhD.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the business masters rankings are looking at specific master’s programs within three specific specializations: finance, management and business analytics. This is why, if you look at the business masters rankings, you’ll see that specific degree programs are referenced. <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/business-masters-rankings/management/2018">Here, for example, HEC Paris is ranked number one in the world for its MSc in Strategic Management</a>.</p>
<p>To put it simply, the subject rankings are great at giving you an overall idea of the level of quality teaching at a university within a particular subject, while the business masters rankings are designed to help prospective postgraduates choose a degree.</p>