Australian Universities QS World Rankings - A 2025 Update
By Frank Larkins
In a recent paper the trends in the world rankings of Australian Universities over twenty years to 2024 were published. Three ranking schemes were compared (1). The Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Times Higher Education and Quacquarelli Symonds schemes. It was noted that by 2024 some 1500 universities were being ranked annually world-wide with Australian having 38 universities assessed. Six Australian universities have consistently ranked in the top 100 world ranked universities in all schemes with all but one maintaining or improving their standing over the past decade.
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) group changed its methodology very significantly in 2024 as outlined in the previous paper (1) with the addition of indicators to recognise strength of international research networks, employer outcomes and sustainability. Based upon nine instead of six indicators some 29 of the 38 Australian Universities improved their QS world rankings with nine universities now in the top 100 worldwide compared with six for the Times Higher Education and Shanghai Jaio Tong rankings. The QS scheme has consistently provided Australian universities with a higher world ranking (lower rank number) that the other two schemes. The 2025 QS world rankings were published in June 2024 (2). Some 21 of the 38 Australian universities have maintained or further improved their rankings. This is an exceptional performance.
Professor Emeritus Frank Larkins is an Honorary Professorial Fellow of the Melbourne CSHE and School of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne.