In a significant stride for higher education, Australian universities have improved their standings in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, conducted by global higher education specialist Quacquarelli Symonds.
This year, 38 Australian institutions secured spots on the prestigious list, with nine placing in the top 100 and three breaking into the top 20. The University of Melbourne led the charge at 13th globally, followed by the University of Sydney at 18th and the University of New South Wales at 19th.
Ben Sowter, senior vice-president at QS, emphasized the importance of bolstering teaching resources: “Australian universities have long been built on the intellectual, cultural and economic benefits derived from internationalisation, and their ability to continue recruiting elite academic talent will determine their success in a shifting higher education landscape.”
However, this success of the Australian universities is shadowed by potential challenges. Proposed cuts to international student numbers could place significant financial strain on major universities and vocational institutions. Australian universities might face a collective shortfall exceeding $500 million in 2024, potentially leading to up to 4,500 job losses.
Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, highlighted the impact of Australia’s tighter regulations on international student visas: “[Australia’s] $48bn export sector … relies heavily on international student fees to fund research and maintain its cutting-edge status. It is important to balance regulatory measures with the need to support the international education sector and the opportunities it provides. We hope that a thoughtful approach will be taken to avoid unintended negative impacts on students, universities and Australia’s global competitiveness.”
The QS World University Rankings are based on millions of academic papers and insights from 280,000 academics and employers across 1,500 universities. The latest results also reveal a notable decline in the rankings of British and American institutions, though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) maintained its top position for the 13th consecutive year.
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