Understanding rankings

What to look for in a college or university overseas

Choosing your future university or college is a big decision. There are so many things to consider – career outcomes, quality of the course and teaching, support services, location and all the extras like work placements, accommodation, lifestyle and scholarships.

Where did rankings come from?
U.S. News first published its ranking of US universities and colleges in 1983, followed by Princeton Reviews' book of the 'Best 357 Colleges in 1992. Since then, Asiaweek ran the 'Asia's best universities' from 1997-2000 and The Sunday Times first ranked the UK universities in 2001.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University's institute of higher education first published its world academic ranking of universities in 2003. The Times Higher Education Supplement published its first 'World university rankings' in 2004.

How do they work?
Here are two well-known global rankings for international study and basically how they work:

Shanghai Jiao Tong University's 'World academic ranking of universities'

• Ranks universities based on six weighted factors

• 30% of the score is based on alumni and staff who win a Nobel Prize or Field Medal for Mathematics

• 60% is for articles and citations in various publications

• 10% is to allowed for the size of the institution

The Times Higher Education Supplement's 'World university rankings'

• 50% of the ranking is based on a survey of academics and who they think is 'top'

• 10% is based on % overseas students and staff

• 20% on the staff to student ratio and 20% on staff citations

Rankings are becoming more common and a growing influence on students choosing where to study. They make it easier to compare institutions around the world. But there are some things you need to understand about them to help you make the right choice.

First, most rankings are largely based on research outcomes for the institution. And these rankings may influence their government funding and student demand for places. So what does this mean for you? Check to see how the rankings are calculated. Do they measure things that are important to you – like student satisfaction, course and teaching quality, support services and career outcomes? When you are on campus, the number of Nobel Prize winners might be less important to you than getting helping with your studies or finding a job after graduation!

Second, most universities are looking to boost their performance in the rankings and in research outcomes to secure more funding and students. They may move resources from teaching to research to achieve this.

Article by Studylink.com