The QS World University Rankings are published annually, typically in June. The 2023 edition ranked 1,418 institutions across 100 locations worldwide. These rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that evaluates universities across several key performance indicators. The methodology is reviewed each year to ensure it reflects current trends and priorities in global higher education.
Key Ranking Indicators
1. Academic Reputation (40%)
This is the most heavily weighted indicator and reflects the global standing of a university’s academic performance. QS gathers over 150,000 responses from academics in more than 140 countries, measuring how institutions are perceived in terms of teaching and research quality.
2. Faculty/Student Ratio (15%)
Used to assess teaching capacity, this metric considers the number of faculty members relative to students. While it offers insight into class sizes and staff resources, QS acknowledges its limitations, especially with the rise of online and hybrid learning models.
3. Citations per Faculty (20%)
This metric evaluates the impact and volume of a university’s research. It uses data from Scopus (Elsevier) and calculates citations over a five-year period per faculty member. QS applies a faculty area normalization process to balance citation impact across disciplines, addressing the bias towards citation-heavy fields like medicine and natural sciences.
Critics have pointed out concerns with citation databases, particularly the dominance of English-language publications in Scopus, which may disadvantage non-English-speaking institutions.
4. Employer Reputation (15%)
Derived from a global survey of over 99,000 employers, this metric gauges how universities are viewed by the job market, especially in terms of graduate preparedness and professional skills. This indicator was introduced in 2005 and is a core factor in determining institutional employability outcomes.
5. Internationalization (10%)
This component splits evenly between two sub-metrics:
- International Student Ratio (5%)
- International Faculty Ratio (5%)
These reflect the global diversity of a university’s campus and its ability to attract talent from around the world. Institutions with a strong international presence are seen as offering a more diverse and globally connected academic experience.
New Indicators (Introduced in 2024 Rankings)
To reflect evolving trends in higher education, QS introduced three additional metrics, each contributing 5% to the overall score:
- International Research Network: Assesses the extent of a university’s global research collaborations.
- Employment Outcomes: Evaluates how effectively institutions support successful graduate employment.
- Sustainability: Measures the university’s environmental and social impact and commitment to sustainable practices.
QS World University Rankings: Global Top 25
| Institution | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Imperial College London | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| University of Oxford | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Harvard University | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| University of Cambridge | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Stanford University | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| ETH Zurich | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
| National University of Singapore | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 15 |
| University College London | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 7 |
| California Institute of Technology | 10 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 19 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 12 | 10 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
| University of Melbourne | 13 | 14 | 33 | 37 | 41 | 38 | 39 | 41 |
| Peking University | 14 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 30 | 38 |
| Nanyang Technological University | 15 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| Cornell University | 16 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| University of Hong Kong | 17 | 27 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
| University of Sydney | 18 | 20 | 41 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 42 | 50 |
| University of New South Wales | 19 | 19 | 45 | 43 | 44 | 43 | 45 | 45 |
| Tsinghua University | 20 | 25 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 25 |
| University of Chicago | 21 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Princeton University | 22 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Yale University | 23 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 |
| Université PSL | 24 | 24 | 26 | 44 | 52 | 53 | 50 | |
| University of Toronto | 25 | 21 | 35 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 31 |
QS World University Rankings: Regional Editions
Alongside its global rankings, QS also publishes a series of regional university rankings to offer a more focused analysis of institutions within specific parts of the world. These include:
- QS Arab Region University Rankings
- QS Asia University Rankings
- QS Latin America University Rankings
- QS Europe University Rankings (launched in 2023)
- QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia (EECA) — now discontinued
These regional rankings feature a broader selection of universities from each area than are typically included in the global rankings.
Methodology and Adjustments
While the core indicators used in the QS World University Rankings—such as academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, and citations—are also applied in the regional editions, QS adjusts the weightings and introduces additional region-specific metrics to better reflect local contexts and priorities. These may include:
- Inbound and outbound exchange students
- Proportion of academic staff holding PhDs
- Institutional web visibility
As a result, a university’s standing in a regional ranking may differ significantly from its position in the global rankings published during the same academic cycle.
QS Arab Region University Rankings
Launched in 2014, the QS Arab Region University Rankings aim to showcase the top universities across the Arab world. This ranking uses a tailored methodology built around 10 indicators that reflect the unique challenges and priorities of higher education institutions in the region.
| Institution | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| King Saud University | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Qatar University | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| American University of Beirut | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| King Abdulaziz University | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| United Arab Emirates University | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Khalifa University | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | =21 |
| American University of Sharjah | 8 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 7 | =21 |
| University of Jordan | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Sultan Qaboos University | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Asia
In 2009, QS launched the QS World University Rankings: Asia in partnership with The Chosun Ilbo newspaper in Korea to rank universities in Asia independently. The 15th edition, released in 2022, ranked 760 universities, with inclusion based on the United Nations’ M49 Standard.
| Institution | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peking University | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| University of Hong Kong | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| National University of Singapore | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Nanyang Technological University | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Fudan University | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | 6 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Tsinghua University | 7 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Zhejiang University | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 21 |
| Seoul National University | 9 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 17 |
| City University of Hong Kong | 10 | =17 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 8 |
Emerging Europe and Central Asia (discontinued)
First published in 2015, QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia Rankings included universities from mostly Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with Russia’s Lomonosov Moscow State University in the top spot since its first publication. These rankings were discontinued in 2022.
Latin America and The Caribbean
The QS World University Rankings: Latin America were launched in 2011. The 2024 edition expanded these rankings to include Caribbean universities.
| Institution | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidade de São Paulo | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Universidade Estadual de Campinas | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Tecnológico de Monterrey | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Universidad de Chile | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Universidade Estadual Paulista | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Europe
In 2023, QS launched the QS World University Rankings: Europe. The table showcased 688 institutions from 42 member countries of the Council of Europe.
QS World University Rankings by Subject
The QS World University Rankings by Subject are typically the first set of rankings released by QS each year, usually published in March or April.
These rankings provide an in-depth evaluation of university performance across over 50 specific academic disciplines—including fields such as Business, Mathematics, Medicine, and Law—as well as across five broad faculty areas:
- Arts & Humanities
- Engineering & Technology
- Life Sciences & Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences & Management
Launched in 2011, the Subject Rankings initially covered just five disciplines. Since then, the scope has expanded significantly, making it one of the most comprehensive subject-specific university ranking systems available today.
Even before the 2024 methodological updates applied to the overall QS World University Rankings, the Subject Rankings had already integrated advanced metrics such as the International Research Network, which evaluates an institution’s global research partnerships. Additionally, the Subject Rankings utilize the H-Index, a measure that captures both the productivity and impact of research within individual academic fields.
| Arts & Humanities | Engineering & Technology | Life Sciences & Medicine | Natural Sciences | Social Sciences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art & Design | Computer Science | Agriculture & Forestry | Biological Sciences | Accounting |
| Architecture | Data Science | Anatomy | Chemistry | Business |
| Archaeology | Engineering – Chemical | Anthropology | Earth & Marine Sciences | Communication |
| Classics | Engineering – Civil | Dentistry | Environmental Sciences | Development Studies |
| English Language and Literature | Engineering – Electrical | Medicine | Geography | Economics & Econometrics |
| History | Engineering – Mechanical | Nursing | Geology | Education |
| Performing Arts | Engineering – Mineral | Pharmacy | Geophysics | Hospitality & Leisure Management |
| History of Art | Petroleum Engineering | Veterinary Science | Mathematics | Law |
| Linguistics | Materials Science | Library Management | ||
| Modern Languages | Physics | Marketing | ||
| Philosophy | Politics | |||
| Theology | Psychology | |||
| Social Policy | ||||
| Sociology | ||||
| Sports-related Subjects | ||||
| Statistics |
Here’s a rewritten version of your text on the QS Best Student Cities rankings, with improved clarity and flow:
QS Best Student Cities
The QS Best Student Cities rankings offer an annual comparison of cities worldwide, evaluating their overall appeal and suitability for students. Introduced in 2012, these rankings aim to capture the full student experience in each city, using a variety of indicators.
The methodology is built around five key categories, each reflecting important aspects of student life:
- University Rankings
This measures the collective performance of universities located in the city, based on their positions in the QS World University Rankings. - Student Mix
This assesses the diversity of the student population, including the proportion of international students, and the city’s offering of social, cultural, and lifestyle opportunities. - Desirability
Focuses on quality-of-life factors such as safety, pollution levels, infrastructure, and the overall attractiveness of the city as a place to live and study. - Employer Activity
Evaluates job market opportunities for students and recent graduates, including the presence of major international employers and the city’s reputation among hiring companies. - Affordability
Considers the cost of living, average tuition fees, and the availability of scholarships or financial aid for students.
Together, these indicators provide a comprehensive overview of how cities perform as student destinations, helping prospective students make informed decisions about where to study.
| City | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | NA | NA | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||
| Tokyo | 2 | 7 | =3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 | ||
| Seoul | 3 | =2 | =3 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 14 | ||
| Melbourne | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | =5 | ||
| Munich | 5 | =2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 10 | ||
| Paris | 6 | 8 | =9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Sydney | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Berlin | =8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 11 | ||
| Zurich | =8 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 11 | =5 | ||
| Boston | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 6 | NA |
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
In response to the increasing global focus on environmental and social responsibility, QS introduced the World University Rankings: Sustainability in 2022. These rankings aim to highlight how well universities are addressing sustainability challenges through their policies, research, education, and community engagement.
The rankings use a combination of data sources—including institutional surveys, the World Bank, and the United Nations—to evaluate and compare institutions. They are designed to guide students, academics, and policymakers in identifying institutions that are leading the way in sustainable development and social impact.
Methodology Overview
Universities are evaluated based on two equally weighted categories—Environmental Impact and Social Impact—which are broken down into eight key indicators:
Environmental Impact (50% of total score)
- Sustainable Institutions (17.5%)
Evaluates the university’s governance, strategy, and operational commitment to environmental sustainability. - Sustainable Education (20%)
Assesses the extent to which the university is preparing students to understand and address environmental challenges through curricula and initiatives. - Sustainable Research (12.5%)
Measures the volume and influence of research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the environment.
Social Impact (50% of total score)
- Equality (15%)
Analyzes institutional performance related to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), including diversity and inclusivity measures. - Knowledge Exchange (10%)
Assesses domestic and international research collaborations aimed at sharing knowledge and raising academic standards globally. - Impact of Education (10%)
Includes research aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), responses from QS Academic and Alumni Surveys, the Academic Freedom Index, and metrics like international student mobility and graduation rates. - Employability and Opportunities (10%)
Evaluates graduate employability and alumni achievements, reflecting how institutions prepare students for meaningful careers. - Quality of Life (5%)
Takes into account health and well-being-related metrics such as research on SDGs 1, 2, 3, and 6, campus health services, Air Quality Index, and the OECD Subjective Wellbeing Score.