University Rankings 2021

2021 QS Quacquarelli Symonds WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2021 Welcome On behalf of all at QS, we are delighted to introduce the 17th edition of the QS World University Rankings (WUR). This year marks 16 years of the world’s most consulted university rankings. The 2021 edition is, however, a particularly poignant one – a reflection of the higher education sector before the global pandemic. We know this pandemic will have painful and wide-reaching effects on our sector and the uncertainty faced by students and institutions alike will be keenly felt. The research intensity of The record-breaking figures for internationalization metrics and faculty recent years may be diffi- student ratio may not be seen again for some years to come. The cult to sustain under the research intensity of recent years may be difficult to sustain under the financial pressure now financial pressure now weighing on institutions. In short, the 2021 WUR weighing on institutions. will likely be a resetting of the trajectory of rankings, looked on in future both as a reminder of the good times and a setpoint to reach for once more. These rankings are, whilst useful for faculty, administrators and policy makers, designed with students at their heart. Now more so than ever, the weight of uncertainty faced by students on where to place their time, effort and money for a world-class education is palpable. With campuses closed, learning ported online and time differences almost an anachronism, the need for objective guidance and independent insights remains strong. Choosing where to study is a complicated and highly personal endeavor, and we hope to play our part in making this decision easier. Dr. Drew MacFarlane Rankings Manager, QS Quacquarelli Symonds 1 Journal ASU 2.indd 1 18.02.2020 04:36 WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2021 New decade, different times Anton John Crace Editor, QS Quacquarelli Symonds The 2021 QS World University institutions improved over Rankings (WUR) come at Stable and 100 spots to move up two a difficult time for higher variable bands, with Sofia University education globally. They in Bulgaria entering the 601- The 17th edition of the WUR were, in part, meant to not 650 rank band, and Savitribai features over 1,000 higher only celebrate the higher Phule Pune University in India education providers from education sector, but also entering the 651-700 rank around the world. The three QS Quacquarelli Symonds’ band. highest ranked institutions 30th anniversary. The past have again remained the An even 80 locations also three decades have seen QS same, with Massachusetts featured in the 2021 WUR, evolve significantly, and the Institute of Technology (MIT), and the US and UK again 2021 Rankings, the first to be Stanford University, and hosted the greatest number released in the new decade, Harvard University, all US- were meant to be a time to based, taking out top spots. reflect on how we’ve changed and how the sector has The top 100 remained changed. relatively stable with only small variances from the 2020 Instead, with the COVID-19 WUR. Two institutions, Yonsei pandemic creating significant University in South Korea and barriers for international Mexico-based Universidad mobility and collaboration, Nacional Autónoma de notwithstanding limiting México (UNAM), entered the the ability for universities top 100, ranking 85th and to engage in their regular 100th, respectively. In total, activities, the 2021 WUR may only 10 universities in the become a unique artifact of top 100 shifted 10 spots or this time. While they provide more, the largest being Yonsei insight into institutional University, which improved 19 excellence for educators, places. policymakers and prospective students, the 2021 WUR could It was outside the top 100, become much more. however, that the greatest proportion of changes occurred. There were 47 new additions to the rankings this year. Meanwhile, two 3 WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2021 Creative Minds Transform the world of universities, with the Ratio, provide a more holistic The 2021 WUR may therefore former boasting 153 ranked picture of a university. highlight an area of concern institutions, and the latter for Australia and the UK, Coupling the metrics with the 88. China continued its rise which have seen institutions findings of the QS International in the ranks, with just over 50 in both countries lose Student Survey (ISS), which universities. ground within the Employer gauges the thoughts and Reputation field. The UK has perspectives of prospective been significantly affected international students, can Employability in this area, however, there assist universities to align are many potential reasons matters their offering against student for this, and the change does Outside the overall ranks, needs. not necessarily reflect either the 2021 WUR also highlight One example from the ISS is country worsening, but others areas an institution may the consistently high value improving. Thailand and need to focus on to attract students put on employment Malaysia stand out, enhancing students. The 6 metrics used outcomes, leading it to performance not only for to determine a institution’s become one of the most Employer but also Academic rank, those being Academic important factors when Reputation. Reputation, Employer choosing a course. In the 2020 Reputation, Faculty/Student It is also worth noting 2019 ISS, respondents placed a Ratio, Citations per faculty, was a watershed moment for course leading to their chosen International Faculty Ratio, post-study work right (PSWR) career over personal interest and International Student policies. The UK reintroduced in its subject. PSWR after sustained Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia www.pmu.edu.sa PMU_KSA 4 WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2021 campaigning from peak As competition continues to students, and many bodies and representative increase between countries governments are trying to find groups, while the Australian and higher education meaningful solutions for its Government, in a bid to institutions, the measurement resumption. Consequently, the entice international students indicators further illustrate pandemic does not influence into non-metropolitan and the biggest opportunities the 2021 rankings but will regional areas, tweaked their to strengthen a university’s likely have an impact from the scheme to provide bonus proposition to students. 2022 cycle onwards. years depending on location The extent of COVID-19’s of study and work. COVID-19 influence on the WUR is The impact of top-level difficult to predict. While The surveys upon which the government policy on the there is an argument the 2021 WUR are based were rankings’ indicators, however, pandemic could potentially conducted and completed is unclear, and the influence of weaken international student prior to the full onset of changes to PSWR, for example, and faculty ratios, which the COVID-19 pandemic, a will only occur over time. It is are collectively weighted 10 period in which it was unclear clear, however, the actions of percent within the rankings, whether in-person education individuation universities have universities are also research delivery would continue. Many the biggest effect on rankings, institutions. Potentially, the reports also indicate there is and in terms of graduate highly publicized research still a level of uncertainty over employment, reports continue output of many previously whether in-person delivery to indicate employers remain lesser known universities will occur at all in 2020, either largely unaware of PSWR. could strengthen Academic for domestic or international 6 93 1,002 27 47 WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2021 LOCATIONS INSTITUTIONS SPECIALISTS NEW COVERED PUBLISHED CONSIDERED ENTRANTS Reputation, and increased collaboration, with the desire DISTRIBUTION BY REGION PROPORTION OF INSTITUTIONS BY REGION BY RANGE to work towards global benefit, may strengthen citations. The areas QS’ Rankings do 7.0% Europe 408 not directly cover are also 10.8% 39.8% equally important, and the QS ongoing ISS on perceptions of World 15.6% Asia Pacific 277 COVID-19 similarly highlights University areas where universities Rankings 2021 should focus. Online delivery, clear communication, and US & Canada 177 flexible commencement 26.7% Latin America 80 dates are just a few areas Middle East & Africa 60 prospective students have 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 - - - - - - - - indicated interest. Many of - 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 these, however, will have 1 9 secondary influence on rankings. The 2021 WUR is in many NEW ENTRANTS BY REGION ways a snapshot of higher EDITION SUMMARY education immediately prior East Asia 11 to a global pandemic. It is Europe (408) is the region with the largest a moment, frozen in time, Eastern Europe 11 number of institutions featuring in the 2021 of a pre-COVID-19 world. QS World University Rankings, representing This ranking, more so than 39.8% of all the institutions considered. many others, may become Southern Europe 7 Asia-Pacific follows with 277 (26.7%) and US the benchmark upon which & Canada with 177 (15.6%). to reflect and consider how Latin America 6 higher education recovers over the coming years. Middle East 5 NEW ENTRANTS In the 2021 edition, a total of 47 institutions Western Europe 5 made their first appearance in the rankings. East Asia and Eastern Europe both provided Central Asia 1 the largest numbers with 11 new entrants. South Asia 1 9 8 2021 an 2020 Rank Location Sie Focus Res. Age Status Academic Reputation Reputation Employer Faculty Student Citations per Faculty nternational Faculty nternational Students Oerall nstitution 2021 an 2020 Rank nstitution Location Sie Focus Res. Age Status Academic Reputation Reputation Employer Faculty Student Citations per Faculty nternational Faculty nternational Students Oerall 1 1 Massachusetts nstitute of Technology (MT) US M CO H 5 B 100.0 100.0 100.0 .1 100.0 1.

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