Do University Rankings Matter?

Selecting a university can be a daunting process and considerations extend far beyond simple academic excellence. The first step in your university selection must be one of rigorous self-assessment. Take the time to identify what matters most to you: Budget, lifestyle, employment and recruitment opportunities, visa requirements, alumni, inclusivity and diversity, and course-specific requirements are just some of the compounding factors that you should research early in the process. Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, said: “Choosing a university is a big decision, but it does not need to be a stressful one. There are many exceptional universities around the world and even more outstanding courses on offer.”

Sowter continued: “Therefore, an initial voyage of self-reflection and analysis must be embarked upon to establish where best fits your needs. Once you have identified your goals, priorities and aspirations, the process of finding your perfect university can begin.” University Rankings are a useful tool for navigating the nuances of the higher education landscape. By codifying what makes a university, course, or location shine, rankings can help demystify the often-nebulous next step on your educational journey. Rankings such as QS’ World University Rankings analyse vast amounts of data to distil and assess the qualities of the world’s top institutions. In 2022, some 1418 universities in 100 locations were stratified based on six performance lenses (or indicators). These indicators include academic and employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, and research citations. You can filter the rankings by location and by indicator. For example, to find a US institution with a strong employer reputation, use the drop-down menu to select the US and the rankings indicator tab to sort from highest to lowest in Employer Reputation. Gloria, from Nigeria, used World University Rankings to find both her bachelor’s and master’s courses. She said: “Using the region filter helped me to understand the quality and value of universities in different parts of the world. By using the rankings, I found the programme I wanted to study.”

However, some rankings go much deeper, offering a plethora of information in more specific areas. QS’ World University Rankings by Subject assesses some 15,200 individual university programs at 88 locations worldwide. So, if you are looking for the world’s premier institutions in over 50 specific disciplines, consult these tables.

 

For the more specialised scholar, there are rankings for everything from MBAs to business and accounting courses and graduate employability, often emphasising career outcomes and networking opportunities. Dr Andrew MacFarlane, QS Senior Research Manager, said: “Subject rankings and more specialised rankings are fantastic ways to discover new and diverse universities in a variety of locations. Despite their excellence, the best-known universities might not offer the best courses in your field of interest. Once you have consulted the rankings most suited to finding the best in your field, you can hone in on your options. Talk to the universities, reach out to students, and attend open days. Be sure to ask questions that refine your options further still – consider whether the world’s best faculty in say Social Sciences & Management is equally as preeminent in say, Business Data Analytics for example.”

Rankings can also be used to assess more subjective factors, such as the best cities in which to attend university, an often overlooked but paramount determinant in your choice. QS’ Best Student Cities Ranking provides students with independent data regarding where to study, including affordability, safety, quality of life, the standard of universities and the views of students who have studied there.

Dr MacFarlane added: “There are many factors that make a location attractive to students that transcend academic excellence. Rankings quantify these factors and distil them to help individuals make a choice based on a deeper understanding of what matters to them. Where to attend university is one of the most important life decisions facing aspiring students, and will have a lasting impact on their interests, skills, careers and friendships. Students should make this choice carefully, using as much evidence as they can. Rankings provide a helpful diagnostic tool, but they must be accompanied by good old-fashioned research to maximize the chances of making the right decision.”

Rankings are a powerful tool that quantifies teaching quality, student population, employability factors, research, and diversity, but they cannot decide for you – so attend events where you can meet admissions officers, talk to students and alumni, follow your shortlisted institutions on social media and immerse yourself in the experience. After all, joy is often found in the journey as much as the destination.