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Global ranking

When choosing a university, it's important to consider how well it is ranked in Australia and internationally.

Although a relatively new institution, each year VU receives greater global recognition.

On this page: 
World university rankings
World-famous courses
World-leading research

World university rankings


In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016/2017, VU was ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

The ranking is a list of the best universities globally and is the only international performance ranking to evaluate universities across their core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

In 2015, VU also moved up more than 100 places in the QS World University Rankings. We’re now placed in the top 4% of universities worldwide. QS also rated VU as a ‘high’ research intensity university (relative to size).

QS rankings are determined using the results of global surveys. These include surveys of employers and academics, each the largest surveys of their kind.

World-famous courses

VU's courses are in-demand internationally, with many students studying our degrees through international university partners in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar.

In 2016, our Master of Business Administration was ranked number 2 in Australia by London-based CEO Magazine.

World-leading research


VU researchers were recognised for their global standing in the latest Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) results.

VU achieved:

  • the highest rating of 5 (well above world standard) in three research areas
  • a rating of 4 (above world standard) in four areas
  • a rating of 3 (world standard) in eight areas.

Read more about our research excellence.