The 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject have been released, highlighting both achievements and challenges for Australian higher education institutions.
This year’s rankings evaluated 1,700 universities globally, with 38 Australian universities collectively achieving 944 ranked entries – a 5 per cent increase from the previous year.
What are the QS World University Rankings by Subject?
The QS World University Rankings by Subject ranks universities for 55 subjects across five broad categories: Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
As stated by QS, the rankings are designed to be used as a starting point for students when they start looking at universities. They are an easy way to compare institutions that interest you.
There are five indicators that determine the QS World University Rankings by Subject:
Academic reputation
Drawing on responses from academics, this indicator demonstrates which universities other academics consider to be excellent for research in the given area.
Employer reputation
The employer reputation indicator draws from the survey responses of graduate employers worldwide. Employers are asked to identify institutions they consider excellent for the recruitment of graduates. They are also asked to identify the disciplines from which they prefer to recruit.
Research citations per paper
All citation data is sourced from Elsevier Scopus. A minimum publication threshold is set for each subject to avoid potential anomalies stemming from small numbers of highly cited papers.
Both the minimum publications threshold and the weighting applied to the citations indicator are adapted in order to best reflect prevalent publication and citation patterns in a given discipline.
H-index
The H-index is a way of measuring both the productivity and impact of an academic or department at a university. The index is based on the set of the academic’s most cited papers and the number of citations they have received in other publications.
International research network (by broad faculty area)
The IRN Index reflects the ability of institutions to diversify the geography of their international research network by establishing sustainable research partnerships with other higher education institutions.
Top performers and notable achievements
Australian universities secured 13 top-10 positions across eight subjects, though this is a decrease from 17 top-10 positions in the previous year. The University of Sydney improved its standing in sports-related subjects, rising one spot to rank third globally. Similarly, The University of Adelaide climbed three places to fourth in Petroleum Engineering.
The University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney each ranked among the world’s top 100 in 52 of 55 subject areas, followed by the University of Queensland with 50 subjects ranked.
Areas of concern and the impact of AI
Despite these achievements, there are areas of concern. Notably, 65 per cent of Australia’s ranked entries declined in employer reputation scores, based on feedback from hiring managers. This decline was most prevalent in arts and humanities disciplines. This is reflected in the UK, US, Netherlands, and New Zealand, with cuts and closures in these disciplines.
Ben Sowter, QS’s Senior Vice President, expressed concerns that cuts to arts and humanities funding could have “long-term consequences” for Australia’s global academic standing. He warned that deprioritising these subjects risks diminishing global rankings and weakening the ability to produce graduates capable of navigating complex, interconnected challenges.
“As we move towards an AI-driven world – built in part on the contributions of artists, designers, and creatives – the loss of these fields is concerning. Beyond their cultural and economic value, the arts and humanities are integral to the interdisciplinary futures shaping global innovation. The most groundbreaking advancements – whether in AI ethics, human-centred design, or sustainable development – emerge from the intersection of technology and the humanities.”
Key QS Rankings results for Australia
- The University of Melbourne and University of Sydney each rank among the world’s top 100 in an impressive 52 out of 55 subject areas.
- The University of Queensland had 50 subjects ranked, all within the top 200 globally.
- Monash University is ranked joint fourth globally, with 49 subjects making the list, including a 4th-place ranking in Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
- UNSW Sydney holds fifth place globally, with 48 ranked subjects, placing it among a distinguished group of international universities.
- Several Australian universities achieved top 5 global rankings in their respective disciplines:
- University of Queensland & University of Sydney – sports-related subjects
- UNSW Sydney & Curtin University – Engineering (Mineral & Mining)
- University of Adelaide – Petroleum Engineering
- The Australian National University (ANU) secured top 10 rankings in Philosophy, Anthropology, Development Studies, and Archaeology.
- Among all subject areas, Medicine boasts the highest representation of Australian universities, with 31 institutions ranked.
Do rankings matter?
That’s for you to decide! As an international student, think about what is most important to you. This could be location, career prospects, availability of specific courses, scholarships, and much more. While some of these qualities can be measured by rankings, many can’t.
When it comes to deciding where to study, you will need to research a lot more than just where a university sits on a specific rank.
