NZ in top 4% of Times Higher Education World University Rankings

The high quality of New Zealand’s universities has been confirmed in the annual Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings released today.

The results show that New Zealand universities rank within the top 4% of universities in the world.

Seven out of eight New Zealand universities are in the Times Higher Education top 800 worldwide.  This compares well with Australia, where 31 of 44 universities are in the top 800.  New Zealand also boasts one university in the top 200.

However, Chris Whelan, the Executive Director of Universities New Zealand, warns that while the big picture is good, the results show a continued slow decline.

Mr Whelan says, “We are concerned to see a slow decline for most of our universities over the past three years.  The fact is that this decline won’t be arrested without further investment by government”.

“This year universities welcomed the Government’s first real increase in funding to the sector in nearly a decade.  But more is needed if our universities are going to continue supporting this country’s economic and social objectives.

“The Government wants New Zealand universities to be producing capable and employable graduates, to be generating world-class research, and to be contributing to economic growth by attracting more international students.  New Zealand universities recruit half their academic staff internationally and generate just over a billion dollars annually for the economy from international students,” says Mr Whelan.

“This ability to attract excellent international teachers, researchers and students depends significantly on us having a high quality university system that produces international rankings that demonstrate our quality to academics and students.”

Background

• Both THE and QS rankings have changed their technical methodology this year.  This has seen improved results for seven of eight New Zealand universities in the QS rankings released last month, and a decline in the THE rankings.
• New Zealand focuses on the QS rankings as they are a better indicator of our university sector.  By contrast the THE results put a heavier emphasis on commercial revenue which fits less well with public universities like ours.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for New Zealand

University of Auckland
2015-2016: =172
2014-2015: 175
2013-2014: 164

University of Otago
2015-2016: 201-250
2014-2015: 251-275
2013-2014: 226-250

Victoria University of Wellington
2015-2016: 351-400
2014-2015: 276-300
2013-2014: 276-300

University of Canterbury
2015-2016: 401-500
2014-2015: 301-350
2013-2014:301-350

University of Waikato
2015-2016: 401-500
2014-2015: 351-400
2013-2014: 301-350

Massey University
2015-2016: 501-600

Auckland University of Technology
2015-2016: 601-800
 

 -        Comments from Phil Baty, the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings:

“The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, now in their 12th year, apply rigorous standards, using tough global benchmarks across all of a global research university’s key missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The results are trusted by students and their families and by academics, university leaders and governments. The top 800 list represents just 4 per cent of the world’s higher education institutions, so we congratulate all institutions who have made this year’s list.

“This year’s expanded list is testament to just how competitive global higher education has become – our top 800 universities come from 70 different countries, and the traditional dominance of the US is eroding. Make no mistake – many countries aspire to have world class universities competing with the very best in the world, and no one at the top can afford to rest on their laurels. You have to run very fast just to stand still and there are many rising stars from a wide range of nations seeking to gain the upper hand in the 21st century knowledge economy.”

 The full list of the top 200 is available at  www.thewur.com.