Melbourne first in Australia and 32nd in world: US rankings

Melbourne ranks equal 32nd in the world according to this latest raking, making it Australia’s leader and one of Asia’s top institutions, second to Tokyo University, and among the top 10 universities in the world outside the United States.

These rankings are widely considered within the US to be the most valued measure of international university excellence.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis says the results highlighted the University’s international standing to students and researchers in the US, which boasts several world-leading universities.

“We undertake world-leading research and have outstanding teaching and learning programs, and it is pleasing to have this leadership reaffirmed,” he says.

 “It also endorses the team of highly talented and distinguished staff at the University and their outstanding work across research, teaching and engagement.”

These are the first Best Global Universities rankings, which have been produced to provide insight into how universities compare globally as an increasing number of students enrol in universities outside of their country.

The rankings are based on 10 indicators which measure academic research performance and global and regional reputations.

Professor Davis says the result was particularly pleasing as the rankings’ methodology was 30 per cent based on academic reputation, and so was linked very closely to research data.

This recognition comes after Foreign Policy magazine named Melbourne one of the best international universities for US students to attend.

In other rankings this year Melbourne has led Australian institutions, being named first in Australia and 44 in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2014, first in Australia and 33 in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 33 in the world in the QS World University Rankings.