UNSW Sydney has been ranked the number one university in Australia for the first time in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, according to results released by the rankings body.
The university placed 19th globally, marking its fourth consecutive year in the world’s top 20. It was the only Australian institution to achieve a top-20 position and the first university in New South Wales to claim the national top spot.
The rankings assessed 8,808 institutions, with 1,504 universities included in the final published list.
UNSW also ranked first in Australia for employment outcomes and sustainability. Among the 37 Australian universities evaluated, it recorded a score of 97.4 out of 100 for employment outcomes and 98 for sustainability. It also placed third nationally for employer reputation and international research partnerships, and scored above 94% in eight of the nine categories assessed.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the result reflected the university’s sustained focus on education, research and societal impact.
“We are excited to be number one because it allows us to do more, have more impact, more influence and access to more networks,” Professor Brungs said.
“To be recognised as a global top 20 university for the fourth consecutive year and now the number one university in Australia is a testament to UNSW’s commitment to delivering a world-class education for our students and an environment where high-quality research and innovation thrive.”
The QS rankings evaluate institutions across indicators including research, employability, learning experience, global engagement and sustainability.
Across the sector, 21 Australian universities improved their positions in this year’s rankings, with most institutions now ranked higher than they were a decade ago. UNSW has climbed 30 places since 2017.
Professor Brungs said the broader results highlighted the strength of Australia’s higher education system.
“The strong performance of Australian universities reflects the critical role the sector plays in developing talent, driving innovation and supporting the nation’s future competitiveness and prosperity,” he said.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Bronwyn Fox said the rankings reflected the university’s research performance and global partnerships.
“These results reflect the quality, influence and growing recognition of UNSW’s research community, and the strength and depth of the partnerships that enable us to tackle complex challenges and deliver meaningful impact,” she said.
The university’s performance in employability was a key driver of its overall ranking. It ranked first nationally for graduate outcomes and third for employer reputation, indicators that measure job readiness and employment success.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience Professor Sarah Maddison said the university prioritised industry engagement and real-world learning opportunities.
“At UNSW, we are committed to providing industry-engaged learning, along with the opportunities, support and real-world experiences for our students,” she said.
Second-year student Alex Fox said his studies had provided significant practical opportunities, including work on satellite software and a fraud detection project with the Commonwealth Bank.
“It’s awesome to be studying at Australia’s number one university,” he said.
UNSW also ranked seventh globally and first in Australia for sustainability.
Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement Professor Verity Firth said the result reflected the university’s commitment to addressing environmental and social challenges.
“Sustainability is not only about protecting our planet, it’s also about creating opportunities and improving outcomes for people and communities everywhere,” she said.
The results were first reported by UNSW.