The QS Rankings 2024 cycle has started. All data collected during this cycle will be used to produce rankings beginning with the QS World University Ranking 2024 (to be published June 2023) and ending with QS Subjects Ranking 2024 (tentative March 2024 publication).
*Please note that our Graduate Management Education Rankings (e.g. Global MBA / Business Masters) has its own process and data platform. Details of the new cycle for these will be communicated separately to the relevant contacts.
QS World University Ranking 2024: Anniversary Methodology
Since its first edition nearly 20 years ago, the 6 indicators used in the evaluation of QS World University Rankings have remained relatively unchanged. However, the higher education landscape is changing, and to continue QS's mission of empowering students to fulfil their potential, as well as acting as partners to the sector, we are adapting. June 2023 will see our 20th anniversary of the QS World University Rankings. There are three additions to the headline methodology, broadly aligned to three strong trends in the higher education sector, namely Employability, Academic Collaboration and Sustainable Education.
Our intended QS World University Rankings 2024 methodology is shown below:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Academic Reputation | 30% | 40% |
| Employer Reputation | 15% | 10% |
| Faculty Student Ratio | 10% | 20% |
| Citations per Faculty | 20% | 20% |
| International Faculty Ratio | 5% | 5% |
| International Student Ratio | 5% | 5% |
| International Research Network | 5% | - |
| Employment Outcomes | 5% | - |
| Sustainability | 5% | - |
An institution's score for Sustainability will pull from the same methodology we employ in our QS Sustainability Ranking. Only scores generated for the standalone ranking (published October 2022) will be used for the WUR component. Many more institutions than were published received underlying scores (based on e.g. research and reputation metrics, as well as national data) and so we expect to be able to score a larger set of institutions.
As noted below, the data portal for Sustainability Ranking will open later (latest estimate April 2023), and a separate communication will be sent at this time to ensure everyone is clear on what data we are seeking, along with helpful tips on how to submit as well as understand the requirements.
New Fields in QS HUB
In addition to the new sustainability fields we added last year, you will find a few new fields in QS HUB when you log in. As always, please do check the definitions of the new fields, and ask the team if you are unsure.
They are:
- Inbound & Outbound Exchange Students to QS World University Rankings and QS Europe pages
- Faculty Staff Gender
- Distance Students
- Graduate Salary Data
- Degree Options (campus vs. online study modes)
- Employment Statistics
You can also find definitions for all of our fields here.
Inclusion Criteria
If your university meets our preliminary inclusion criteria, then your institution may be evaluated for the following rankings:
- QS World University Rankings 2024
- QS Regional Rankings 2024
- QS Subject Rankings 2024
- QS Sustainability Rankings 2024
The inclusion in any published ranking is of course dependent on university performance. The submission of data does not guarantee that an institution will be ranked in any QS published ranking. Please refer to the individual rankings pages to find out more details.
Data reporting period for QS Rankings:
For the majority of the data we request, the reporting period should cover the academic year previous to our rankings cycle. Our cycles start in November of each year - so, when the cycle begins in November 2022, we are collecting data for the 2021 academic year. This will be approximately Jan to December 2021 for the Southern Hemisphere, and August 2021 to July 2022 for the Northern Hemisphere. There are exceptions to this, so please refer to our data dictionary if you are unsure.
How do I submit data for inclusion in these rankings?
You should submit data for your institution through our QS HUB platform. Please contact our support team via our helpdesk (Submit a request – QS Quacquarelli Symonds) if you do not have login details, or need further support.
Do I need to provide data for QS Subject Rankings?
No. All institutions (including specialist institutions and postgraduate/undergraduate only institutions) are automatically considered for QS Subject Rankings. The methodology for this ranking does not utilise institutional data. You are encouraged however to submit academic and employer lists for our surveys.
What happens if I don't provide data?
We strongly encourage institutions to provide us with up-to-date and objective data. Where this is not possible, we will seek to source this from third-party sources, or use regional averages or historic data to fill the gaps. Our rankings are not opt-in/out-out, so it is in an institution's best interest to ensure that we reflect them accurately.
Can I opt-out of a ranking?
No. Please see our policy here
Deadlines
Survey list deadlines
Submit Academic and Employer contact detail lists by: Monday the 16th of January 2023.
All institutions are invited to help enhance the quantity and quality of responses to our academic and employer surveys by providing us with academic and employer contact details. See here for full instructions.
Institutional data submission deadlines
Submit statistics required for the QS World University Rankings by: Monday 6th February 2023.
Since you are being considered for the QS World University Rankings, please complete all data fields by the above date. You are also welcome to complete any other data for the regional rankings at this time.
Submit statistics required for the QS Regional Rankings by: Monday 6th February 2023.
We do not need you to submit the same data more than once per year, but our regional rankings may include some additional reporting requirements (such as Staff with PhD / exchange students). If you did not update these with your World Rankings data, they must also be submitted by Monday 6th February 2023.
Submit statistics required for the QS Sustainability Rankings: Spring 2023
The QS HUB portal for the Sustainability Ranking will open in the new year. The data fields and definitions are currently under review. You will receive another notification to remind you to complete this data. The exact deadlines for submission will be communicated as soon as possible.
Unfortunately we are not able to provide extensions, so please let us know if you need any help or clarification to complete the process in time.