Understanding the methodology behind QS World University Rankings.
QS History and Significance
Nunzio Quacquarelli founded QS in 1990 initially to provide guidance for students considering studying abroad. Over time, the company expanded its focus to offer an extensive range of higher education services. Today, QS rankings are among the most influential and widely consulted globally, alongside those produced by Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. The first edition of QS university rankings was produced in collaboration with Times Higher Education (THE) in 2004. However, they parted ways in 2009 to produce independent rankings by both organisations. Since then, QS has developed a range of rankings, including those by subject, region, and MBA programs, as well as rankings focused on sustainability and European universities. These rankings are designed to give an understanding of how universities perform for the upcoming academic year.
QS Ranking Eligibility
An institution must meet specific criteria to be included in the QS World University Rankings. This is particularly true for the QS World University and region QS World University Rankings. Firstly, universities should offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various subjects. They must also have a proven track record of graduating students in these programs. Secondly, QS prioritises in-person learning and teaching. While the ranking considers online programs, they should complement on-campus education. Universities undergo a thorough evaluation process in addition to their academic programs. This includes meeting specific performance standards and achieving a ranking within predefined limits. Most importantly, QS aims to create a fair and informative ranking system that highlights universities with diverse academic programs, strong teaching commitments, and exceptional performance.
Key Features of QS Rankings
The QS World University Rankings utilize a broad methodology to assess global institutions by considering a wide range of factors. According to the 2024 QS guidelines, there are six core indicators which include academic reputation (30%), employer reputation (15%), faculty-student ratio (10%), citations per faculty (20%), international faculty ratio (5%), and international student ratio (5%). In 2024, three new indicators – international research network, employment outcomes, and sustainability – were also introduced to capture the evolving priorities in higher education. Each of these three indicators carries a 5% weightage. The methodology places significant emphasis on both academic reputation and employability which is measured by employer surveys. Recent iterations have taken sustainability into account in the evaluation process, reflecting the changing priorities of the higher education landscape. These additions broaden the scope of the ranking to encompass factors such as global collaboration, graduate impact, and environmental responsibility. Other than overall rankings, QS also explores subject-specific comparisons, assisting students in making informed choices.
Despite their widespread influence, the QS rankings are not without faults. Over the years the ranking system has been subjected to a fair number of criticisms. For example, the methodology’s heavy focus on academic and employer reputation often favours English-speaking institutions, potentially overlooking good universities in other regions. The subjective nature of reputation can be manipulated, which raises concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the rankings. Another important point to consider is that the weight accorded to reputation may overshadow other crucial factors such as teaching quality, student experience, and affordability. With its current system, the QS ranking provides an incomplete picture of institutional performance.
QS rankings use metrics like faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and the proportion of international students and faculty to give a nuanced assessment.
How QS Rankings Are Best Utilised
QS Rankings today have become a valuable tool for prospective students as they lend a reference point for comparing universities globally and help identify institutions that excel in specific areas. QS Rankings work best when they are treated as guidelines and not the final decision-makers. Therefore, when students are trying to figure out which university would be best for them, QS can be a good starting point to help them with that research. The rankings may not fully reflect the entire range of strengths and weaknesses of universities but they can assist students in categorising institutions as their first, second, or third choice. Students can then read through each university’s prospectus to come to a final decision.
The QS World University Rankings have gained significant traction lately, with more students, teachers, and institutions gravitating towards them every year. A big reason for this is the QS methodology, which is constantly being refined and updated to reflect the changing landscape of higher education. By taking into account factors like academic reputation, research impact, and employer opinion, QS has become a reliable guide for navigating the vast array of university choices and helping students select the right one to set them on the path to academic success.
