Australia’s research-intensive universities have achieved unprecedented recognition in the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2024, with three Group of Eight (Go8) universities ranked in the top 20 globally and all eight in the top 100.
“This is an outstanding achievement for Australia’s higher education sector. All Go8 universities have cemented their place as exceptional world class institutions and leaders in global higher education,” said Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson.
“These are the highest rankings we’ve achieved to date and recognise our excellence in world class research and teaching.
“For the first time ever, three Australian universities – all Go8 – feature in the world’s top 20, with six in the top 50. University of Melbourne is ranked 14th, while the University of Sydney and UNSW (Sydney) tie for 19th position. ANU is ranked at 34, Monash at 42, UQ at 43, UWA at 72 and the University of Adelaide at 89.
“These results augur well for the future of our higher education sector and particularly future generations, noting that when combined with the improved rankings of a number of ATN universities and three non-aligned institutions, Australia now has 15 universities in the world’s top 200,” said Ms Thomson.
The indicators used to the measure success confirm that Go8 universities have kept pace with global changes, expectations, and the evolving dynamics of the world’s tertiary sector.
In addition to the existing metrics of Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, and Faculty Student Ratio, new metrics used to rank the world’s leading universities included in the 2024 methodology include Sustainability, Employment Outcomes and International Research Network.
Specific areas in which Go8 universities excelled:
- University of Melbourne – academic reputation and employer reputation.
- University of Sydney – international research networks and employment outcomes.
- UNSW Sydney – fostering cross-border research initiatives.
- Australian National University – strong academic reputation and diverse faculty.
- Monash University – international students and employment outcomes.
- University of Queensland – academic reputation and international faculty.
- University of Western Australia – research impact.
- University of Adelaide – international students and sustainability efforts.
The Go8’s latest policy paper – Research Excellence to Shape Australia’s Future – reinforces the importance of scale and quality in the global context, and the need for a National Research Strategy if Australia is to secure its economic future through increased productivity and prosperity.
