UNSW ranked in world's top ten 'Golden Age' unis

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has been ranked seventh in a new Times Higher Education (THE) global ranking of universities established between 1945 and 1966.

The new “Golden Age” ranking takes its name from the period after the Second World War, a “golden age” in higher education around the world that saw a rapid expansion of higher education and a major increase in investment in university research.

The Golden Age ranking uses the same methodology as THE’s World University Rankings, which assess universities across teaching, research, international outlook and their work with industry.

According to THE, the “golden age” universities make up a unique group of higher education institutions that have embedded their academic practices but that have not been around for hundreds of years. 

UNSW, founded in 1949, is one of six Australian universities in the list of 100 and one of three in the top 10.

UNSW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Merlin Crossley said: “Extraordinary vision was shown in the post-war period, and universities with a new outlook and re-invigorated imperative were established to build a better world. The same spirit is just as relevant in Australia today and I’m delighted to see UNSW featuring prominently in the list”.

The Golden Age category was created for universities established for more than 50 years but less than 80 years. More recently established institutions are assessed in THE’s Young University Rankings.

In these rankings, the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) became the first Australian university to break into the top 20, coming in at 15^th in the world.