UNSW places 45th in QS world university rankings

UNSW Sydney has been placed 45th in the world in the prestigious QS World University Rankings. 

The result places UNSW among the top four per cent of universities in the rankings. UNSW has moved up seven places since the ranking started in 2012. 

The 2023 edition of the rankings analysed the performance of the world’s top 1422 universities. Reputation is a central piece of the ranking criteria, accounting for half of the total score. 

UNSW’s strongest indicator in the Rankings was citations per faculty, jumping 16 places to 28th globally. The score measures the average number of citations obtained per faculty member and reflects the impact and quality of the scientific work produced by universities. 

The University continued to score highly for its proportion of international students, placing 31st globally.  

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said the ranking reflects the incredible quality of our research across all disciplines and the excellence of our education.  

“I would like to thank the University’s academic and professional staff who have continued to deliver outstanding research and support to students despite the challenging year experienced,” Prof. Brungs said.  

“This result is recognition by our academic peers and the broader community of the calibre of our work, and the efforts of our staff to improve the quality of lives through innovative, pioneering research with a global impact. 

“UNSW proudly offers an internationalised student experience which is recognised in the Rankings.” 

UNSW Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), Professor Grainne Moran, said the University had performed particularly well in research quality indicators. 

“I am thrilled that once again, UNSW’s research and the impact it is having on the community is being recognised,” Prof. Moran said. 

For the eleventh year in a row, US university, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was once again named best in the world followed by University of Cambridge. 

Australia ranked 10th globally for research output and fifth for the number of citations.  

The full rankings are available here.