Best Universities in Europe for Arts & Humanities 2026 - QS World University Rankings

The humanities includes hundreds of lines of research. Contrary to the ingrained opinion that today only representatives of the digital and engineering professions are in demand, and the humanities are not so needed, in the modern world the need for the humanities is growing. So, doing business requires not only knowledge of economic processes (which also refers to humanitarian research), but also a broad outlook.

For the first time the humanities were united in the 18th century under the name of "human sciences", and as long as there is a man, they will be needed. The first universities began with the study of the humanities: philosophy, rhetoric, theology, ancient and foreign languages. The first Western European universities appeared in the XII-XIII centuries (according to other sources - in the XI century), today they are in the forefront of European education, they also conduct research and teaching in the humanities.

The main features of the humanities - creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, possession of rhetorical skills - are in great demand among modern employers.

Studying at European universities is aimed not only at the assimilation of theoretical knowledge by students, but also at the acquisition of flexible skills (soft skills) that will help in any work.

Also, great attention is paid to the ability to work in the digital sphere: the use of various services, the use of computers for data processing, the collection of information.

Not only research work requires this skill - today's museums, libraries, music and any educational institutions use IT technologies in their work.