University climbs to 31st position in THE rankings

University of Melbourne Old Arts clocktower
The University of Melbourne has improved its position in the Times Higher Education rankings

The University of Melbourne has climbed one place to 31st position in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released on Wednesday.

It remains the highest ranked Australian university in the globally-recognised THE rankings.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell said the improved ranking correlates with the University’s research impact and excellence, along with the University’s global reputation and standing.

“The latest THE ranking results show the University improved in four of the five key pillars,” Professor Maskell said.

“This is a very pleasing result and a reflection of the outstanding work of all of the University’s academic staff, including those in affiliated institutions.

“The reputational improvements within the teaching and research pillars, and the improvement in the citations pillar have driven the University’s improved ranking.

“At the same time, the ranking results are a reminder about the importance of university partnerships with industry, which will be critical as we navigate our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Professor Maskell said he expects the pandemic will have a variable impact on global rankings in the future.

“While the full impact of the pandemic on the University of Melbourne and our global peer institutions is largely unknown, it is likely that falls in revenue will have an impact on research outcomes.

“This will make it harder to predict performance in the rankings in the future, as it will be difficult to determine whether some universities are affected more than others, or whether a more level playing field will be established,” Professor Maskell said.

THE rankings are among the most comprehensive and prestigious in the higher education sector. They are based on 13 metrics contained within five pillars: teaching (30 per cent), research (30 per cent), citations (30 per cent), international outlook (7.5 per cent) and industry income (2.5 per cent).