Released on 28 June, the 2024 rankings place Macquarie University at No. 10 in Australia, a rise of four places on last year’s outcome.

The University’s results can be credited to improvements across a range of quality metrics, including citations per faculty, and to changes in the ranking methodology. Three new performance indicators were introduced for this edition, while the weighting of other indicators has shifted. These changes reflect the evolving priorities of the higher education sector and its students.

Macquarie University finished in the Australian top 10 for each of the three new indicators: – Sustainability (ninth), Employment Outcomes (eighth), and International Research Network (eighth).

“Macquarie University’s improved standing is a reflection of its unyielding commitment to student success, influential research, and global sustainability impact,” Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton says.

“The QS rankings’ new indicators strongly align with the Macquarie University ethos, so it is particularly pleasing to see the University fare well in these areas.”

Launched in 2004, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings assess institutions based on research, teaching, reputation, employability and international outlook. The 2024 edition evaluated 2963 institutions globally, publishing the top 1500.

Macquarie University’s result marks its second consecutive year in the top 200 universities worldwide and extends an upward trend – the University has gained 107 places in the past five years. The 65-place jump is also the University’s biggest year-on-year rise.

View the full 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Our highest global ranking result to date, the jump follows six consecutive years of improvement in the highly regarded rankings, which this year measured 1799 universities across 104 countries.

Behind Macquarie’s rise this year were particularly impressive scores for International Outlook (110) – buoyed by the University’s rich global networks and partnerships – and Citations, which increased by 22 places, with Citation Impact increasing from 71.4 to 76.1.  Industry income was another bright spot for Macquarie in this year’s scores, with the University outperforming similarly ranked universities, reflecting our increasingly strong industry connections.

In celebrating the achievement, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor S Bruce Dowton was quick to acknowledge the outstanding work of Macquarie staff in contributing to the University’s rankings success.

“Some time ago we set out to ensure the excellent research and teaching undertaken at Macquarie University is reflected in our global rankings,” Professor Dowton said. “After joining the top 200 in 2020, our 175 ranking this year cements our trajectory towards the top 150 research-intensive institutions in the world.

“The fact that we have achieved this through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the dedication of Macquarie University staff and I applaud the efforts of everyone involved.”

“Through our shared focus and investment in multidisciplinary research, innovation in teaching and learning and concerted efforts to diversify our research income and grow our partnership opportunities, I am confident we will have more success to celebrate in the years to come.”