The 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings have been released, with four Australian universities ranking in the top 30 globally.
Nine universities across New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia ranked in the top 100 worldwide, with The University of New South Wales taking out the top spot in Australia.
Read on to find out more about the QS World University Rankings, how they have impacted Australian universities and what it may mean for you as an international student.
What are the QS rankings and how do they work?
The QS World University Rankings is a globally recognised ranking of over 1,500 universities worldwide. Released annually, its methodology examines several indicators, each weighted differently. These are combined to produce an overall score that determines each university's position in the ranking.
These metrics are:
- Research and discovery - 50%
- Employability and outcomes - 20%
- Learning experience - 10%
- Global engagement - 15%
- Sustainability - 5%
Notable results for Australian universities in 2027
So, how did your university do? Take a look at our Aussie rankings below. You can also view the full list on the QS World University Rankings website.
- The University of New South Wales: 19th
- The University of Melbourne: 22nd
- The University of Sydney: 28th
- Australian National University: 29th
- Monash University: 31st
- The University of Queensland: 40th
- The University of Western Australia: 77th
- Adelaide University: 79th
- The University of Technology Sydney: 87th
The University of New South Wales became the highest-performing university in Australia, moving up one position from the previous year. The University of Melbourne dropped down to second place, having previously been ranked 19th in 2026. Meanwhile, the University of Sydney ranked 3rd in Australia and 28th overall, dropping three places compared to 2026.
Of the top universities in Australia, three are located in New South Wales, two in Victoria, and one each in the ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. A total of 21 universities improved their position.
You can read more about the 2026 and 2025 results on our website.
What do these rankings mean for international students?
A strong result for Aussie universities, but there’s room for improvement
With nine universities across six states and territories ranking in the top 100, it’s safe to say Australia remains a global leader in education. These results solidify Australia’s position as an attractive place to study for international students.
QS chief executive Jessice Turner said, "Australia's 2027 results point to a higher education system competing with real confidence on the world stage.”
However, the results also reveal opportunities for growth, with Turner stating: "The rankings also highlight areas where further progress is needed. Compared with some of its global peers, Australia performs less strongly on teaching capacity and graduate outcomes."
Helping you make the right decision for you
As an international student, you can use the information from QS to help you make an informed decision on where to study abroad or see how your current university stacks up to the competition.
However, there are more things to consider than just how a university ranks on a global leaderboard. While the QS World University Rankings are a good place to start when comparing different institutions, it doesn’t consider things that may be important to you. This can include where the university is located, your career ambitions, what courses are available, scholarship opportunities and even your values and interests, like student life. So take the information that’s relevant to you and don’t let rankings be the only thing that matters!
