Transparent. Citation-Based. Built for the Balkans.
Academic Ranking of Balkan Universities (ARBU)
ARBU brings visibility to academic excellence across the Balkans. Using transparent, citation-based rankings, it empowers universities, faculties, and professors to gain recognition, connect across borders, and strengthen the region’s academic reputation.
Learn More About ARBU
What is ARBU?
The Academic Ranking of Balkan Universities (ARBU) is a region-specific academic ranking initiative that highlights research performance across the Balkans.
Developed by Professor Marjan Bojadjiev, ARBU uses total Google Scholar citations to evaluate professors and aggregate scores at the university and faculty level, offering a transparent and objective alternative to global rankings that often overlook Balkan institutions.
Now part of the Balkan Academic Lounge (BAL), ARBU helps improve regional visibility, academic credibility, and cross-border collaboration through data-driven insight.
Built on Simplicity and Transparency
How ARBU Works
ARBU ranks professors, faculties, and institutions based exclusively on total citation counts from Google Scholar. The data is publicly accessible, updated twice a year, and evaluated at both the individual and institutional levels.
- Total number of Google Scholar citations
- Faculty-level aggregation for university rankings
- Categorization into 7 academic fields
- No use of h-index, i10-index, or composite scores
This methodology ensures a transparent, verifiable, and equitable view of academic performance across the Balkan region.
A Regional Tool with Global Relevance
Why ARBU Matters
Regional Visibility
Global ranking systems often underrepresent Balkan universities. ARBU puts them on the map through a dedicated regional framework.
Data You Can Trust
ARBU relies solely on publicly available Google Scholar citations, ensuring transparency, fairness, and ease of verification.
Part of BAL Ecosystem
As part of the Balkan Academic Lounge, ARBU drives discovery, collaboration, and visibility across the academic ecosystem.
Student Decision Support
ARBU helps high school graduates and current students make informed choices when selecting universities or faculties, especially for studying abroad.
Mobility Insights
Researchers and students planning academic stays abroad can use ARBU to identify reputable institutions with strong research performance across the Balkans.
Faculty Recognition
Encourages positive competition and visibility for professors, driving academic growth and institutional performance.
Transparent by Design
How We Measure Academic Impact
ARBU uses a citation-based methodology focused entirely on publicly available data from Google Scholar. Rankings are calculated by aggregating the total number of citations associated with each professor’s Google Scholar profile. These values are then grouped at the university, faculty, and academic field levels.
What Makes ARBU Different?
- Simple & Verifiable
We use total citation count only—no h-index, no i10-index, no journal impact factors. - Twice-Yearly Updates
Rankings are published at the end of June and the end of December each year. - Field-Based Categorization
Each researcher is assigned to one of seven academic fields based on Google Scholar keywords or their institutional affiliation.
The 7 Academic Fields
ARBU’s categorization merges global classification systems (QS, THE, Frascati) into 7 core fields:
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- Medical Sciences & Health
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Social Sciences
- Humanities & Arts
- Economics, Business & Organizational Sciences (separated from Social Sciences due to scale and demand)
Eligibility Criteria
- Professors, researchers, doctoral students, and teaching assistants
- Must list a Balkan university or national academy as their primary affiliation
- Must have a public Google Scholar profile with citation data
Data Integrity
- ARBU does not use self-submitted data from institutions
- Data is cross-checked before publishing
- Institutions may request verification or updates via contact@arbu-ranking.com
Explore ARBU Rankings
See Who’s Leading in Balkan Academia
Discover how universities, professors, and academic fields across the Balkans are ranked using
verified citation data, offering a clear, accessible view of scholarly impact.
Ranking of Balkan Universities
Explore how institutions rank based on the combined citation performance of their affiliated faculty members, including universities and national academies.
Ranking of Professors
Discover the most cited researchers across the region, ranked individually by their total Google Scholar citations and academic output.
University Rankings by Academic Fields
Compare academic disciplines across Balkan institutions to see which fields produce the most cited and impactful research.