Choosing a university can be an epic job – so many options! Rankings are one way to help narrow your list
We’ve wrapped up the major rankings of 2024 so you can chill! Starting with the major research-led rankings, to other rankings to consider based on your preferences.
Out of the 38 universities ranked in Australia, 10 scored a spot in the top 200 on The Times Higher Education World University Rankings list for 2025. How do unis earn a place on this list? Times Higher Education measures performance across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry (income and patents), and international outlook. This time around, more than 2,000 universities across 125 countries and regions were ranked.
Take a look at the list below to see where your current or future uni placed!
Times Higher Ed World University Rankings List for 2025
#39 University of Melbourne
#58 Monash University
#61 University of Sydney
#73 Australian National University
#77 The University of Queensland
#83 UNSW Sydney
#128 University of Adelaide
#149 University of Western Australia
#152 University of Auckland
#154 University of Technology Sydney
#178 Macquarie University
The other set of rankings to consider is that by Quacquarelli Symonds. Its rankings measure research quality, employability, global engagement, learning experience and sustainability.
QS World University Rankings for 2025
#13 University of Melbourne
#18 University of Sydney
#19 UNSW Sydney
#30 Australian National University
#37 Monash University
#40 University of Queensland
#65 University of Auckland
#77 University of Western Australia
#82 University of Adelaide
#88 University of Technology Sydney
With a heavy weighting on measuring research quality, these rankings aren’t the only thing you should consider when choosing a uni. Is sustainability important to you? The experts at QS say as many as 41% of prospective students will check out what the uni they’re considering going to is doing about environmental sustainability.
The top 10 Australian universities by sustainability, according to QS
#1 University of Sydney
#2 UNSW Sydney
#3 University of Adelaide
#4 RMIT University
#5 Griffith University
#6 University of Newcastle
#7 University of Technology Sydney
#8 University of Wollongong
#9 Macquarie University
#10 Queensland University of Technology
And there’s also the very important issue of teaching and support, and how current and former students of the uni you’re considering rank these.
The Student Experience Survey, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, takes into account what students think, so it’s a lot more practical, covering the educational experience including skills development, learner engagement, teaching quality, student support, and learning resources.
And the results are often quite different to the top university rankings.
Top 10 unis by student experience
#1 University of Divinity
#2 Avondale University
#3 Bond University
#4 Edith Cowan University
#5 Deakin University
#6 University of New England
#7 Torrens University
#8 Swinburne University
#9 Australian National University
#10 University of the Sunshine Coast
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How to choose a university
Ranking isn’t everything! Here are some other things you should consider when choosing the right uni for you:
- Does it offer a degree that will help you land your dream career? (Here are five top tips for choosing a degree)
- Do you like the course content of your chosen degree? Look it over on the uni’s website before committing and double check it’s everything you want it to be.
- Is it known for being strong in the area you want to study? Scope out their website to find out.
- Does it have links to industry so you can network with STEM pros in your field even before finishing your degree?
- What’s the campus like? How far will you have to travel to get there? Does it have student accommodation?
- What’s the vibe like? Check out student societies, sporting opportunities and upcoming events and activities.
- How do their facilities rate? Take a tour of the lecture theatres, labs, library and other buildings on Open Day.
