A NORTH-EAST university has its highest ever number of subjects in the world rankings, with eight in the top 50.

Durham University also had three top 10 rankings, including for its theology and religion department, which has been ranked as third in the world, archaeology, which was ranked fourth and geography, which was seventh.

Anthropology, English, history, law and earth sciences are all placed in the top 50 while a further six subjects are ranked in the top 100.

Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Corbridge said: “It is a wonderful achievement to have our highest ever number of subjects in the top 50 of this respected international ranking.

“Durham is one of the world’s great universities and one of the most distinctive. Our new university strategy includes ambitious proposals to ensure that we build on our strengths, to continue delivering world-class research, education and wider student experience.

“Our success in this ranking and other league tables is something the whole university can be proud of.”

The QS World University Subject Rankings are published annually.

In the overall 2016-17 QS World University Rankings, Durham was placed 74th in the world and second in the UK for research citations.