UNSW ranked in top 20 most international universities

UNSW Sydney has been named as one of the world’s most international universities, ranked 14th by the Times Higher Education (THE).

The 2017 THE international universities rankings, published today, assesses universities on their outward-looking characteristics.

The ranking is drawn largely from the “international outlook” pillar of the THE World University Rankings 2016-17, which covers international staff, students and co-authors. However, it also includes a measure of universities’ international reputations, taken from THE’s annual Academic Reputation Survey , the THE said in a statement.

UNSW’s ranking in the world’s top 20, puts it in the company of globally focused universities such as ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the University of Hong Kong, King’s College London, the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the London School of Economics.

At 14th, UNSW is ranked second in Australia behind the ANU, and ahead of all other Go8 universities. 

Professor Ian Jacobs, UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the result.

“You can tell a great university by the company it keeps, and UNSW is among outstanding company in these listings,” Professor Jacobs said.

“To be ranked as 14^th most international university in the world is gratifying and reflects the commitment to global engagement expressed in our 2025 Strategy. We aspire to be Australia’s global university through pursuit of academic excellence, social engagement and global impact. The fact that Australia scored five universities in the Top 25 most international indicates that higher education in Australia is increasingly taking on the global outlook essential for the country’s well-being and future prosperity.”

Last year, UNSW unveiled an unprecedented $100 million innovation partnership with China’s Torch program that will deliver a major boost in research and development funding for Australian and Chinese research through a new science and technology precinct in Sydney.

Ms Fiona Docherty, UNSW Vice-President International, Marketing and Communications, said UNSW took great pride in being acknowledged as one of the most globally networked universities.

“Our researchers, educators and graduates are making a difference all around the world. We are connecting UNSW researchers and students with China's vibrant Torch innovation ecosystem, and have initiated  the 'Diya Project' to help 100,000 students access education opportunities in India.

“Our ground-breaking PLuS Alliance with Arizona State University and King’s College London focuses on solving some of the wicked problems facing humanity, and we are forging partnerships with young universities in some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities across the Pacific, Myanmar and Uganda.”