Quacquarelli Symonds, or QS, publishes a list of the world’s top universities annually. Students and academic professionals worldwide trust this ranking because of its strict and practical methodology. Every year, QS reviews more than eight thousand universities worldwide to rank the top-rated universities. QS World University Rankings matter for international students, including students from Bangladesh, because they not only provide an overall ranking system but also rank universities based on courses. Students who have already decided on the subject they want to study can easily find the university of their choice from this ranking. This ranking takes internationalization as a factor, which measures how friendly the university is for international students.
Here, we will take an informed look at the QS world ranking system. We will discuss its methodology, the differences between it and other ranking systems, the top universities according to the ranking, and other important factors.
What Is QS World University Ranking?
Quacquarelli Symonds is a higher education analytics firm that prepares a world university ranking each year. QS World University Ranking is based on academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations, faculty, employer reputation, and internationalization. Other factors include international research networks, employment outcomes, and sustainability.
Overview of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Ranking
QS World University Rankings is one of the most trusted university rankings. People rely on it to choose universities and colleges. QS ranks more than two thousand universities annually after analyzing over eight thousand institutions to prepare the list of the most reputable universities worldwide.
The ranking system considers academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations, faculty, employer reputation, internationalization, international research network, employment outcomes, and sustainability. It is regarded as the most widely read university ranking in the world.
How Long Has It Been Ranking Universities Globally?
QS World University rankings have been released annually since 2003. The first list was published on 27 June 2003. This Ranking has been publishing rankings for over twenty years.
Difference Between QS Ranking and Other Rankings
The key difference between QS ranking and other rankings is the methodology and the factors that the ranking systems measure during the process. Different ranking systems utilize different methodology when it comes to ranking a university.
How QS World University Rankings Are Calculated
The QS World University Ranking methodology considers a range of factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, and internationalization. There are also some minor factors that are taken into account such as International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability.
Key Ranking Factors
The key ranking factors that QS use to prepare the world university ranking are described in detail in the below passages.
Academic Reputation (30%)
The biggest factor in the QS World University Rankings is academic reputation. Academic reputation considers the academic excellence and scholarly esteem of the university held by academic scholars. To prepare for this ranking, QS collected more than 150,000 responses from academics in more than 140 countries. Although this factor can be subjective, the number of respondents legitimizes the ranking.
Citations per Faculty (20%)
This indicator measures the relative intensity and volume of research the institution publishes. QS takes into account the volume of citations achieved by an institution’s academic staff. Higher volume denotes that the academics at those institutions frequently publish research papers, which shows that the university can produce professional scholars.
Employer Reputation (15%)
The Employer Reputation indicator measures how much employers respect the institution and its programs. After graduation, a student’s main objective is finding a job. QS sends employer surveys to employers all over the world so that they can give their honest opinions about a university and its courses.
Employment Outcomes (5%)
The Employment Outcomes indicator measures the job opportunities graduates receive after university graduation. It also measures the number of graduates a university produces who profoundly impact society. This indicator is important because it measures the practicality and real-life value of a degree obtained from an institution.
International Faculty Ratio (5%)
This factor measures the ratio of international faculty to overall staff. The International Faculty Ratio shows how much the institution attracts world-class academics from other countries to pursue a career. Institutions with a large number of international staff prove that they have a positive reputation among international scholars and are considered attractive workplaces.
International Research Network (5%)
The International Research Network measures an institution’s ability to partner with other institutions worldwide to produce quality research that successfully works. This indicator also measures how diverse and rich an institution’s research network is based on its ability to conduct research with other institutions and whether these partnerships are repeated over time. This factor only considers partnerships that produce three or more joint papers published in five years.
International Student Ratio (5%)
The International Student Ratio indicator measures the ratio of international students to total students. A sizable international student population implies that a university has good networking, cultural exchanges, alumni diversity, and a diverse learning experience. It also proves that it has a good reputation among overseas students, who view it as a good place to study.
Faculty Student Ratio (10%)
The Faculty-student ratio measures a university’s academic staff relative to the number of students. A university cannot provide a good learning environment if it does not have enough faculty members to provide teaching, supervision, curriculum development, and academic support. This indicator divides the number of faculty staff by the number of students.
Sustainability (5%)
The sustainability indicator demonstrates the institution’s commitment to creating a sustainable and eco-friendly campus for all students. This indicator measures the environmental, social, and governance based on the sustainable practice of the institution. It also measures universities’ social and environmental impact on students and employees.
Why Are These Factors Important for Students?
All of these factors measure a university’s research and discovery, employability and outcomes, global engagement, learning experience, and sustainability. These factors help students understand the quality of education and employment opportunities with a degree from that university.
QS World University Rankings 2025 – Top 10 Universities
Here, we will go through the top-ranked universities in the world according to QS ranking.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, has been occupying the first place on the QS ranking for some years. This university, established in 1861, has played a pivotal role in the development of many modern technologies and sciences. Its rigorous academic programs, excellent faculty members, and commitment to groundbreaking research have put it in the top spot.
2. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is situated in London, England. This public university started in 1907 when the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, and the City and Guilds of London Institute merged to form the Imperial College of Science and Technology. This university combines exceptional teaching, world-class facilities, and interdisciplinary practice to unlock students’ potential.
3. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the oldest educational institutes in the world. The university comprises 43 constituent colleges, four permanent private halls, three societies, and various academic departments. This university is known for its research excellence and innovations, making it the home of the most talented researchers in the world.
4. Harvard University
Harvard University was founded in 1636, making it the oldest higher education institute in the United States. It is known for its long history of exceptional academic reputation, excellent faculty, research opportunities, strong alumni, and generous financial aid programs.
5. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge was established in 1209 and is considered the world’s third oldest continuously operating university. It is known for outstanding academic achievement, world-class original research, researchers, and alumni.
6. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded in 1885 in Stanford, California, United States. It is organized around seven schools of study on an 8,180-acre campus. Stanford is a top-ranked school for law, medicine, engineering, education, sustainability, and liberal arts disciplines.
7. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or ETH Zurich, was founded in 1854 in Zurich, Switzerland. This university focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and is renowned for its cutting-edge research in engineering, computer science, and natural sciences.
8. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore was established in 1980 when the University of Singapore and Nanyang University merged. This university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in sciences, medicine, dentistry, design, law, arts, social sciences, business, computing, music, etc. This flagship university offers a global education, entrepreneurship, and research approach.
9. University College London
University College London was established in 1826 as London University, and it was one of the first universities to admit female students. UCL is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities yearly for its world-class research, impact on real-world problems, and world-class alumni.
10. California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology started its journey in 1891 and is responsible for many modern scientific advancements. This university has produced 46 Nobel laureates, 54 US National Medal of Science recipients, 11 National Medal of Technology Recipients, and 6 Turing Awards winners. Caltech prepares students to excel in science and technology through their extensive curriculum and numerous research opportunities.
Best Universities in the UK According to QS Rankings 2025
Here, we will go through the top-ranked universities in the UK according to QS ranking.
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is the highest-rated university in the UK according to QS ranking. This university started its journey in 1907 after three colleges merged together. This university is organized into four faculties: Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Business. Graduates from this university include 14 Nobel Prize winners, 3 Fields Medal Winners, 74 Fellows of the Royal Society, and 84 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford always ranks in the QS ranking every year. This university was established in 1096, making it the world’s second-oldest continuously operating university. It is famous for its academic excellence, research, and history. This university has produced 31 prime ministers of the UK, 73 Nobel Prize laureates, 4 Field Medalists, and 6 Turing Award winners.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is regarded as the third-oldest university in continuous operation. This university was established in 1209 and is an academic rival of the University of Oxford. It is known for outstanding academic achievement, world-class original research, researchers, and alumni. Notable alumni include 194 Olympic medal-winning athletes and several iconic historical individuals such as Francis Bacon, Lord Byron, Oliver Cronwell, Charles Darwin, and Rajiv Gandhi.
University College London
University College London is regarded as the second-largest university in the United Kingdom regarding total enrolment. According to QS ranking, it consistently ranks among the top universities. Established in 1826, the university is known for its academic excellence, world-class research, and global impact.
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 under the authority of King James VI. It is one of the four ancient universities of Scotland. This university is the eighth-largest university in the UK in terms of total enrolments. The university has produced 20 Nobel Prize Laureates, 4 Pulitzer Prize winners, 3 Turing Awards winners, and one Fields Medalist.
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester was established in 2004 after the merger of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Victoria University of Manchester. This is the third-largest university in the United Kingdom by total enrollment. This university is a member of the Russell Group and the N8 Group. The university has produced 26 Nobel Laureates. This university is famous for teaching excellence, world-class research, and outstanding student experience.
King’s College London
The King’s College London was established in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. In the late 20th century, this university merged with numerous universities to become one of the largest universities in the UK. King’s alumni and staff include 14 Nobel Laureates, 2 speakers of the House of Commons, 3 recipients of Oscars, 3 Grammy winners, 1 Golden Globe winner, and 1 Booker Prize winner.
The London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science was established in 1895. This university focuses on social sciences such as economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, etc. LSE alumni include 3 Nobel Peace Prize winners and 2 Nobel Prizes in Literature winners. This university has a global reputation for excellence in social sciences and a highly selective student body with close ties to the political and business world.
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol was founded in 1909, although its roots can be traced to the School of Merchant Venturers, founded in 1595. This university is a member of the Russell Group, the European-wide Coimbra Group, and the Worldwide Universities Network. This university ranks high consistently according to QS ranking and provides excellent employment opportunities to graduates.
The University of Warwick
The University of Warwick was founded in 1965 and has been one of the top-ranking universities for decades. Warwick’s alumni and staff include winners of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal, Richard W. Hamming Medal, Emmy Award, Grammy, and the Padma Vibhushan.
Which UK Universities Are Best for Bangladeshi Students?
There are several factors that Bangladeshi students must consider while applying to universities in the UK. All of these factors are described in detail in the below passages so that students can easily pick and choose the perfect university to pursue their educational journey.
Comparing Universities Based on Ranking and Affordability
Students must find universities that are not only ranked high based on their quality of education but also affordable for them. Find out the tuition fees on the official websites of the universities of your choice. Go through the tuition fees for international students to learn the undergraduate and postgraduate degree fees. Remember that top-quality education is often costly for international students. Also, try to find scholarships and financial aid provided by the university to make it easier for you to bear the cost.
Checking Rankings for Specific Courses
The QS ranking publishes rankings for specific courses on their site as well as the overall university rankings. If you have already chosen the subject, you can find the top universities regarding that subject. This is more accurate as the top-ranked universities are not the best universities for all of the courses. So, find out the top-ranking university for the subject of your choice to find the best university for you.
Importance of University Reputation vs. Employability
The QS ranking takes employability into account while preparing the university ranking but this often does not accurately reflect the reality. Find out the future job opportunities after getting a degree on a particular subject from a university before getting admitted. Rankings are important but it does not provide a clear picture of employment opportunities.
Limitations of QS Rankings
Although the QS ranking is one of the most trusted university rankings, it is not without limitations. These limitations are described in the below passages.
Why Rankings Alone Should Not Be the Only Deciding Factor
Ranking alone should not be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a university because there are other factors that you need to consider, such as employment opportunities, affordability, research opportunities, course curriculum, support, financial aid, scholarships, living costs, and so on. Students must consider all of these factors when they are applying to a university.
Other Things to Consider (Location, Course Curriculum, Student Support, Etc.)
There are other things that students must consider while applying to universities, such as location, course curriculum, student support, scholarship, affordability, living cost, transportation cost, student community, and various other factors. University ranking is not enough to make your decision, and you must consider all of these factors before applying to any university.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT is the best university according to the QS World University Rankings for 2025.
Yes, QS World University Ranking is reliable because it uses effective measuring tools and methodology to prepare the list of best universities in the world. Thousands of academic scholars and students participate in the queries that form the ranking. Students and academic professionals have trusted this ranking for decades.
The QS World University Ranking is calculated using different lenses and indicators. Indicators include Academic Reputation, Citations per Faculty, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, International Faculty Ratio, International Research Network, International Student Diversity, International Student Ratio, Faculty Student Ratio, and Sustainability.
QS stands for Quacquarelli Symonds. It is a British Company that specializes in higher education. QS has been providing top university rankings for over twenty years.
The University of Oxford is considered to be the top 1 university in the UK according to QS University Ranking and THE University Ranking.
Conclusion
The QS World University Rankings is one of the most trusted university rankings used by students and academic professionals all across the world. This ranking takes various factors into account while preparing the ranking, which makes it an effective tool to compare universities for higher education. Keep in mind that ranking alone should not be the deciding factor, as students must also consider affordability, course curriculum, student support, living cost, etc., before choosing a university.