What is the QS World University Rankings?

The QS World University Rankings is a portfolio of comparative college and university rankings compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a higher education analytics firm. These rankings aim to provide an independent source of comparative data on university performance.

Who is responsible for compiling the QS World University Rankings?

The QS World University Rankings are compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a higher education analytics firm. The development and production of the rankings are overseen by QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter.

When was the first edition of the QS World University Rankings published, and in collaboration with whom?

The first edition of the QS World University Rankings was published in 2004. It was initially produced in collaboration with Times Higher Education (THE) magazine, under the title 'Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings'.

When did QS and Times Higher Education begin producing independent rankings?

QS and Times Higher Education parted ways in 2009 to produce their own independent university rankings. QS subsequently released its own rankings using its methodology, starting in September 2010.

What are the primary goals QS aims to assess through its rankings?

QS designs its rankings to assess university performance according to what it believes are key aspects of a university's mission: teaching, research, nurturing employability, and internationalization.

How often are the QS World University Rankings released?

The QS World University Rankings are released annually, typically in June.

How many institutions were included in the 2023 edition of the QS World University Rankings?

The 2023 edition of the QS World University Rankings featured 1,418 institutions across 100 locations worldwide.

What percentage of the overall score in the QS World University Rankings is attributed to Academic Reputation?

Academic Reputation accounts for 40% of the overall score in the QS World University Rankings. This indicator reflects the academic excellence and scholarly esteem in which universities are held globally.

How does QS gather data for its Academic Reputation indicator?

QS gathers data for its Academic Reputation indicator by collecting responses from over 150,000 academics in more than 140 countries and locations, assessing the scholarly esteem of universities.

What does the Faculty/Student Ratio indicator measure in the QS rankings?

The Faculty/Student Ratio, which accounts for 15% of a university's score, is used as an indication of the staff resources available to students. It reflects aspects like teaching capacity and class size, although QS acknowledges it's a limited metric in the context of modern teaching methods.

What percentage of the QS World University Rankings score is based on Citations/Faculty?

Citations/Faculty accounts for 20% of a university's score in the QS World University Rankings. This metric measures research impact by dividing the total number of citations received over a five-year period by the number of academic staff.

What database does QS primarily use for its Citations/Faculty metric, and why?

Since 2007, QS has primarily used data from Scopus, part of Elsevier, for its Citations/Faculty metric. QS uses this approach, rather than citations per paper, to reduce the impact of fields with high publication rates, like biomedicine, and to measure the density of research-active staff.

What criticism exists regarding the Citations/Faculty metric concerning certain academic fields?

A criticism of the Citations/Faculty metric is that it may not adequately capture research output from the arts and humanities, as these fields tend to generate fewer citations compared to the natural sciences, engineering, and medicine.

What methodological enhancement did QS introduce in 2015 related to citations?

In 2015, QS implemented faculty area normalization to remove the advantage previously held by institutions specializing in Natural Sciences or Medicine. This enhancement weights an institution's citation count in each of QS's five faculty areas to account for 20% of the final citations score.

What is the Employer Reputation indicator's contribution to the QS World University Rankings?

Employer Reputation accounts for 15% of an institution's overall score in the QS World University Rankings. This indicator is derived from a survey of employers who hire graduates.

What was the purpose of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, and what happened to them?

The QS Graduate Employability Rankings were introduced in 2015 to specifically assess employer perceptions of graduate quality and work readiness. However, these rankings were discontinued in 2021, with their data being integrated into the main QS World University Rankings methodology.

How does the Internationalization indicator contribute to the QS World University Rankings?

Internationalization measures account for the final 10% of a university's score. This is split equally between the International Faculty Ratio (5%) and the International Student Ratio (5%), reflecting global collaboration and diversity.

What are the three new indicators introduced by QS starting with the 2024 rankings, and what is their weight?

Starting with the 2024 rankings, QS introduced International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability, each accounting for 5% of the total weightage. These indicators aim to reflect shifts in higher education and societal priorities.

Which university has consistently held the #1 position in the QS World University Rankings from 2015 to 2026 (based on the provided table)?

Based on the provided table, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has consistently held the #1 position in the QS World University Rankings from 2015 through the 2026 rankings.

Which university ranked first in the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region in 2024?

In the 2024 QS World University Rankings: Arab Region, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals ranked first.

Which university topped the QS World University Rankings: Asia in the 2025 edition?

Peking University secured the top position in the QS World University Rankings: Asia for the 2025 edition.

What is the primary focus of the QS World University Rankings by Subject?

The QS World University Rankings by Subject provide a detailed evaluation of universities across more than 50 specific academic disciplines and five broad faculty areas, assessing their performance in specialized fields of study.

What are the five broad faculty areas covered by the QS World University Rankings by Subject?

The five broad faculty areas covered are Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.

What additional metrics are used in QS's regional rankings compared to the main World University Rankings?

Regional rankings may use modified weightings and include additional metrics such as incoming and outgoing exchange students, academic staff with a PhD, and web visibility, to better reflect regional characteristics.

What are the five indicators used to compile the QS Best Student Cities rankings?

The QS Best Student Cities rankings are based on University Rankings, Student Mix, Desirability (considering safety, pollution, and infrastructure), Employer Activity (assessing job opportunities), and Affordability (considering cost of living and tuition fees).

Which city has consistently ranked first in the QS Best Student Cities rankings from 2017 to 2024?

London has consistently held the first position in the QS Best Student Cities rankings from 2017 through the 2024 edition.

What are the two main categories that determine a university's rank in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability?

The rank in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability is determined by the sum of scores in two main categories: Environmental Impact (50%) and Social Impact (50%).

What percentage of the Environmental Impact score in the Sustainability rankings is allocated to Sustainable Research?

Sustainable Research accounts for 12.5% of the overall Environmental Impact score in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. This indicator analyzes research impact aligned with specific UN Sustainable Development Goals.

What percentage of the Social Impact score in the Sustainability rankings is allocated to Employability and Opportunities?

Employability and Opportunities contribute 10% to the Social Impact score in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. This assesses alumni outcomes and graduate employability.

Which university ranked first in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability in the 2024 edition?

The University of Toronto ranked first in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability for the 2024 edition.

What is the purpose of the QS Global MBA and Business Master's Rankings?

These rankings aim to provide students with comprehensive lists of the best MBA and business master's programs worldwide, evaluating them based on factors like reputation, employability, and course content.

What are the six key indicators used in QS's methodology for ranking MBAs and business master's degrees?

The six indicators are Employability, Alumni Outcomes, Return on Investment, Thought Leadership, Class and Faculty Diversity, and a sixth indicator that varies by specific program type (e.g., for Finance and Business Analytics, Employability is 30% and Alumni Outcomes is 20%).

How did The Guardian describe the QS World University Rankings in September 2015?

In September 2015, The Guardian referred to the QS World University Rankings as 'the most authoritative of their kind'.

What major criticism has been leveled against the reputation surveys used by QS?

A major criticism is that QS does not reveal the response rates for its reputation surveys, which are indicated to be very low (2-8%). This low response rate raises concerns about the reliability and validity of the results.

What concern has been raised about the weight given to reputation in the QS rankings?

Some critics express concern that the QS World University Rankings place too much emphasis on reputation, which accounts for 50% of the overall score, potentially making the rankings less objective.

What did Peter Wills of the University of Auckland state regarding the *THE*-QS World University Rankings and financial enticements?

Peter Wills noted that the survey appealed to university staff and offered financial enticements, suggesting that participants might rank their own institutions higher. He questioned the validity and intrinsic value of such rankings, opposing evaluation based on 'PR competitions'.

What criticism has been made regarding the 'faculty/student ratio' indicator?

Critics point out that the 'faculty/student ratio' indicator may not accurately measure commitment to teaching, but rather research intensity, as faculty members often dedicate significant time to research rather than teaching.

How did David Blanchflower characterize the QS World University Rankings in the New Statesman?

In the New Statesman, David Blanchflower described the QS World University Rankings as 'complete rubbish' and stated that 'nobody should place any credence in it,' citing a flawed methodology that underweights research quality and overweights 'fluff'.

What is Brian Leiter's criticism of the QS Subject Rankings?

Brian Leiter dismisses the QS Subject Rankings as unreliable, noting that high-quality programs often fare poorly, and that the rankings tend to overrate the individual departments of typically top research universities.

What did Simon Marginson say about the QS ranking methodology in 2012?

In 2012, Simon Marginson stated that he would not discuss the QS ranking because its methodology was not sufficiently robust to provide data valid as social science.

How does QS's Intelligence Unit respond to criticisms about the reliability of its academic reputation survey?

QS's Intelligence Unit counters criticisms by stating that over 62,000 academic respondents contributed to their 2013 results, four times more than in 2010, and that independent academic reviews confirmed these results to be more than 99% reliable.

What potential conflict of interest was raised by a 2021 study from UC Berkeley regarding QS?

A 2021 study from UC Berkeley suggested that institutions employing QS's consulting services might be rewarded with improved rankings. QS denied this, stating they have policies to minimize potential conflicts of interest.

What did the Independent Expert Group (IEG) convened by UNU-IIGH prove in November 2023 regarding QS rankings?

The IEG proved that universities purchasing products and services from QS have a better chance of improving their rankings, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.

What is the general purpose of QS's international student recruitment events?

QS organizes international student recruitment events to connect prospective students with university admissions staff, provide admissions advice, and facilitate access to scholarships.

What distinguishes the QS Connect MBA and QS Connect Masters events from other QS fairs?

These events differ by arranging pre-scheduled one-to-one interviews between candidates and admissions staff, based on submitted CVs and academic profiles, rather than a traditional open fair format.

What is QS Stars, and how does it differ from the QS World University Rankings?

QS Stars is an auditing service that provides in-depth information on institutional strengths and weaknesses, separate from the QS World University Rankings. It evaluates universities based on approximately 50 indicators across various functions.

What are the mandatory categories evaluated in the QS Stars program?

The four mandatory categories for QS Stars evaluation are Teaching, Employability, Research, and Internationalization.

What was the fee structure for the QS Stars program in 2012?

In 2012, the fees for the QS Stars program were $9,850 for the initial audit and an annual license fee of $6,850.

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The QS Rankings Landscape

World University Rankings

The flagship ranking, published annually, assesses over 1,400 institutions globally. It aims to reflect university performance across teaching, research, employability, and internationalization.

The QS World University Rankings are highly influential, providing a benchmark for institutions worldwide. The methodology evolves to capture shifts in higher education. Here are the top 25 institutions from the 2025 rankings:

Institution	2025 Rank
MIT	1
Imperial College London	2
Stanford University	3
University of Oxford	4
Harvard University	5
University of Cambridge	6
ETH Zurich	7
National University of Singapore	8
University College London	9
California Institute of Technology	10
University of Hong Kong	11
Nanyang Technological University	12
University of Chicago	13
Peking University	14
University of Pennsylvania	15
Cornell University	16
Tsinghua University	=17
University of California, Berkeley	=17
University of Melbourne	19
University of New South Wales	20
Yale University	21
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne	=22
Technical University of Munich	=22
Johns Hopkins University	24
Princeton University	=25
University of Sydney	=25

Regional & Subject Rankings

QS also publishes rankings tailored to specific regions (Arab Region, Asia, Europe, Latin America) and academic subjects, offering a more focused perspective on institutional performance within particular contexts.

QS provides detailed rankings for various regions and academic disciplines:

Regional Focus: Arab Region, Asia, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean. These often adjust weightings to suit regional priorities.
Subject Rankings: Cover over 50 disciplines across five broad faculty areas (Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences). These use subject-specific metrics and databases like Scopus.

Student Cities & Specialized Rankings

Beyond academic performance, QS evaluates cities based on student appeal and offers specialized rankings for MBAs, Business Masters, and Sustainability initiatives.

QS extends its analysis to student life and specialized fields:

Best Student Cities: Ranks cities based on university reputation, student mix, desirability, employer activity, and affordability. London consistently ranks high.
MBA & Business Masters: Evaluates business programs based on employability, alumni outcomes, return on investment, and thought leadership.
Sustainability Rankings: Assesses universities' environmental and social impact, focusing on sustainable institutions, education, research, equality, and quality of life.

Methodology: The Ranking Framework

Academic Reputation (40%)

This is the largest component, derived from a global survey of academics. It reflects the perceived excellence and scholarly esteem of universities worldwide, based on over 150,000 responses.

Employer Reputation (15%)

Gauges how well universities prepare students for the workforce. This indicator relies on a survey of employers who hire university graduates, reflecting perceived graduate quality and work readiness.

Citations/Faculty (20%)

Measures research impact by dividing the total number of citations received by faculty members over a five-year period by the number of academic staff. Data is sourced from Scopus.

Faculty/Student Ratio (15%)

A traditional indicator reflecting teaching capacity and resources available to students. QS acknowledges its limitations in the context of modern online learning.

Internationalization (10%)

Comprises two equal parts: International Faculty Ratio (5%) and International Student Ratio (5%). This reflects global appeal, diversity, and collaboration.

New Indicators (2024+)

QS has introduced new metrics to adapt to evolving higher education landscapes:

International Research Network (5%)
Employment Outcomes (5%)
Sustainability (5%)

Evolution of the Rankings

Origins and Partnership

QS was founded in 1990. The first university rankings were published in 2004 in partnership with Times Higher Education (THE) as the THE–QS World University Rankings.

The Split

In 2009, QS and THE parted ways. THE partnered with Thomson Reuters, while QS continued its rankings using its own methodology, releasing its first independent rankings in 2010.

THE cited perceived weaknesses in the original methodology and a bias towards science over humanities as reasons for the split. This led to the creation of two distinct ranking systems: the QS World University Rankings and the THE World University Rankings.

Global Expansion

QS has expanded its portfolio significantly, introducing regional rankings (Asia, Arab Region, Europe, Latin America), subject-specific rankings, MBA rankings, Best Student Cities, and the Sustainability rankings, reflecting a broader scope of university assessment.

Perceived Authority

Media Recognition

The QS World University Rankings have been described by media outlets as authoritative and trusted. The Guardian referred to them as "the most authoritative of their kind" in 2015, and The Independent called them "widely recognised" in 2012.

Benchmark Status

Regional rankings, such as the QS Latin American University Rankings, have been noted as becoming an "annual international benchmark" for universities assessing their standing within specific regions.

Stability and Focus

Some analyses suggest improved stability in rankings over time, with specific editions noted for their focus on certain aspects like "hard scientific research" or teaching quality.

Points of Contention

Survey Reliability

Criticism centers on the low response rates (reported as 2-8%) for reputation surveys, potentially making results unreliable. Concerns also exist about the validity of surveys where respondents may lack broad knowledge of other institutions.

Methodology Concerns

The heavy reliance on reputation (50% in older methodologies) has been questioned. Issues include potential biases, the impact of modern teaching methods on the faculty/student ratio, and the underrepresentation of arts and humanities in citation metrics.

Conflicts of Interest

Research has raised the possibility that universities purchasing consulting services from QS might receive preferential treatment in rankings. QS denies this, stating robust policies are in place to manage conflicts of interest.

Data and Bias

Concerns have been raised about the global consistency and integrity of data, as well as potential biases against non-English speaking institutions due to reliance on English-language databases and journals.

Connecting Students and Institutions

Global Recruitment Fairs

QS organizes numerous international student recruitment events, including the World MBA Tour, World Grad School Tour, and World University Tour, facilitating connections between prospective students and university admissions staff.

Specialized Events

Offerings like QS Connect MBA and Masters involve pre-arranged 1-to-1 interviews, providing a more personalized approach to student recruitment, focusing on specific career paths and academic profiles.

QS Stars: Institutional Auditing

Beyond Rankings

QS Stars is an independent auditing service that evaluates universities across various performance categories, providing a detailed assessment of institutional strengths and weaknesses, separate from the main rankings.

QS Stars assesses universities on up to 12 categories, including mandatory ones like Teaching, Employability, Research, and Internationalization, plus optional categories such as Facilities, Innovation, and Social Responsibility. Universities can achieve ratings from 0 to 'Five Star Plus'. This service aims to offer a more granular view of institutional quality.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the QS World University Rankings Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional academic or ranking advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official QS documentation or seeking advice from qualified higher education professionals. Always refer to the official QS website for the most current and detailed information.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Global Academia Ascended

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The QS Rankings Landscape 🌍

🏆 World University Rankings

🗺️ Regional & Subject Rankings

🏙️ Student Cities & Specialized Rankings

Methodology: The Ranking Framework ⚖️

🧑‍🏫 Academic Reputation (40%)

💼 Employer Reputation (15%)

📈 Citations/Faculty (20%)

🧑‍🏫 Faculty/Student Ratio (15%)

🌐 Internationalization (10%)

💡 New Indicators (2024+)

Evolution of the Rankings ⏳

🚀 Origins and Partnership

🤝 The Split

🌐 Global Expansion

Perceived Authority ⭐

📰 Media Recognition

📊 Benchmark Status

📈 Stability and Focus

Points of Contention ❓

📉 Survey Reliability

⚖️ Methodology Concerns

🔗 Conflicts of Interest

🌍 Data and Bias

Connecting Students and Institutions 🤝

✈️ Global Recruitment Fairs

📅 Specialized Events

QS Stars: Institutional Auditing ⭐

🔍 Beyond Rankings

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📜 References

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The QS Rankings Landscape

World University Rankings

Regional & Subject Rankings

Student Cities & Specialized Rankings

Methodology: The Ranking Framework

Academic Reputation (40%)

Employer Reputation (15%)

Citations/Faculty (20%)

Faculty/Student Ratio (15%)

Internationalization (10%)

New Indicators (2024+)

Evolution of the Rankings

Origins and Partnership

The Split

Global Expansion

Perceived Authority

Media Recognition

Benchmark Status

Stability and Focus

Points of Contention

Survey Reliability

Methodology Concerns

Conflicts of Interest

Data and Bias

Connecting Students and Institutions

Global Recruitment Fairs

Specialized Events

QS Stars: Institutional Auditing

Beyond Rankings

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice