CRC

Each year, a number of organizations publish their annual ranking of world universities. Among the most popular rankings are the Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and the University League Tables (rankings of universities in the UK) published by the Complete University Guide.

• THE is a weekly magazine affiliated with The Times newspaper, reporting on news specifically related to higher education. The publication’s annual rankings are generated according to 18 performance indicators.

• QS is a UK-based company that provides services to students and higher education institutions. The QS rankings are generated by analyzing performance according to nine metrics. 
• The US News, World Report, and Forbes are US-based and use different criteria.

• The University League Tables are produced by The Complete University Guide, showing UK university rankings nationally, regionally, and in 74 subject areas. You can find where they source the data and the methodology here.

As with all rankings, they are produced using a different set of criteria and methodology.  They often have a focus on perceived reputation, which is to be determined through surveys and can be highly subjective. The institutions’ previous rankings also influence their ‘new ranking,’ making it easier for ‘top’ universities to stay high up the list and difficult for upcoming universities to challenge their ‘supremacy’. Therefore, we advise ISF families to use world rankings as a reference point in the university research process instead of as a deal-breaker in making university applications.