Glasgow School of Art is one of the best in the world, according to a new global ranking.

The institution has been placed eighth in the world and fifth in Europe in the QS University World Rankings for art and design in 2019.

The recognition comes after a difficult few years for Glasgow School of Art with two devastating fires at the Mackintosh building, considered one of designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s masterpieces.

Read more: Glasgow School of Art ravaged by fire

The rankings also recognise a number of other Scottish universities with Edinburgh, St Andrews and Glasgow in the top 100 for arts and humanities.

Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde came in the top 200 for engineering and technology while Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen were in the top 200 for life sciences and medicine.

Irene McAra-McWilliam, director of Glasgow School of Art, paid tribute to the hard work of staff and students.

She said: “Our ranking as the only UK art school outside London in the global top ten is a reflection not only of the calibre of our research, teaching and international reach, but of the creativity and innovation of our students and graduates.

Read more: Fire ravaged Glasgow School of Art faces construction delay

“It also underlines the importance of our contribution to Glasgow’s economy and the city’s internationally recognised position as a centre for creativity and culture with over 65 per cent of our students choosing to remain in the city after graduation.”

A spokesman for Universities Scotland, which represents principals, said the rankings continued to demonstrate that Scottish institutions were punching well above their weight.

He said: “There are tremendous results within the rankings at individual universities and the staff involved should be rightly proud to be recognised.”

Ben Sowter, director of research for the QS rankings, also warned that high rankings for UK universities often depended on European partnerships.

He said: “Much of the highly cited research that has contributed to UK success will have come about as a result of collaboration with EU universities.

“As our date for departure from the EU approaches these results serve as a reminder of the enduring value provided by close collaboration across the world.”