QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Rankings
At RK Institutional Partners, we provide strategic guidance for institutions aiming to excel in QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Rankings — one of the world’s most respected and influential university ranking systems.
QS rankings are recognised globally by students, academics, employers, and governments, influencing admissions, partnerships, and international reputation.
About QS
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in the UK, QS publishes several highly regarded ranking systems, including:
QS World University Rankings
QS Asia University Rankings
QS World University Rankings by Subject
QS Graduate Employability Rankings
QS Sustainability Rankings
QS evaluates universities and programs using globally standardised indicators, ensuring fairness and comparability across countries.
QS Ranking Parameters (QS World University Rankings)
Academic Reputation (40%) – Global survey of academics on institutional quality
Employer Reputation (10%) – Employer feedback on graduate quality and employability
Faculty/Student Ratio (20%) – Teaching quality and academic support availability
Citations per Faculty (20%) – Research output and impact
International Faculty Ratio (5%) – Global diversity in academic staff
International Student Ratio (5%) – Internationalisation of the student body
(Weightages may vary for regional or specialised QS rankings)
Benefits of Strong QS Performance
Global Visibility – Attracts international students, faculty, and collaborators
Employer Confidence – Improves graduate employability perception
Ranking Leverage – Positively impacts marketing, branding, and reputation
Partnership Opportunities – Easier collaborations with top global universities
Student Recruitment – Drives interest from high-quality applicants worldwide
How RK Institutional Partners Supports You
Ranking Readiness Assessment – Analyse current QS performance indicators
Data Collection & Benchmarking – Align institutional data with QS submission formats
Academic & Employer Reputation Building – Strategic outreach and engagement campaigns
Research Impact Enhancement – Improve citation rates, collaboration, and visibility
Internationalisation Strategy – Attract global faculty, students, and partnerships
Sustainability & SDG Integration – Boost QS Sustainability Ranking scores
Continuous Monitoring & Improvement – Annual review and progress tracking
With RK Institutional Partners, your institution can improve its QS ranking position year-on-year — gaining international credibility, expanding global reach, and attracting top talent from around the world.
THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings
At RK Institutional Partners, we help institutions strategically improve their performance in Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings) — one of the world’s most prestigious university ranking systems, widely recognised by students, academics, employers, and policymakers.
THE rankings are a global benchmark for excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook, directly influencing institutional reputation and international collaborations.
About THE
Times Higher Education, based in the UK, publishes a range of influential rankings, including:
THE World University Rankings
THE Asia University Rankings
THE Young University Rankings
THE World University Rankings by Subject
THE Impact Rankings (focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals)
THE World University Rankings Methodology
THE uses 13 performance indicators grouped into five pillars:
Teaching (30%) – Learning environment, faculty-student ratio, academic reputation
Research (30%) – Volume, income, and research reputation
Citations (30%) – Research influence and global impact
International Outlook (7.5%) – International students, faculty, and collaborations
Industry Income (2.5%) – Knowledge transfer, consultancy, and innovation funding
(Weightages vary for specific THE ranking categories)
Why THE Rankings Matter
Global Prestige – Recognised by governments, accreditation bodies, and employers
Attracts International Talent – Students, faculty, and research partners
Partnership Catalyst – Facilitates global academic and industry collaborations
Improves Student Recruitment – Especially from overseas markets
Boosts Employer Perception – Signals quality and graduate readiness
How RK Institutional Partners Supports You
Baseline Performance Review – Assess current standing against THE indicators
Data Preparation & Accuracy Check – Ensure compliance with THE submission standards
Teaching & Learning Enhancement Plans – Improve TLR scores through academic quality measures
Research Strategy Development – Increase publications, citations, and global research collaborations
Internationalisation Roadmap – Attract more international students, faculty, and joint projects
Industry Engagement Framework – Strengthen innovation, consultancy, and knowledge transfer activities
Impact Rankings Guidance – Integrate UN SDGs into teaching, research, and outreach
With RK Institutional Partners, your institution can achieve measurable improvements in THE rankings — strengthening its brand, enhancing international competitiveness, and expanding its global influence.
Shanghai Rankings
At RK Institutional Partners, we guide institutions in improving their performance in the Shanghai Rankings, officially known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) — one of the most influential and research-focused university rankings in the world.
Published annually by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy since 2003, ARWU is respected for its objective, data-driven methodology that heavily emphasizes research excellence, academic awards, and high-impact scholarly output.
About Shanghai Rankings (ARWU)
ARWU ranks over 2,500 universities globally and publishes the Top 1,000 list each year.
It evaluates institutions using transparent and verifiable indicators, without relying on perception surveys — making it a benchmark for purely research-driven institutional performance.
ARWU Ranking Indicators
Quality of Education (10%) – Alumni winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals
Quality of Faculty (40%)
Staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals (20%)
Highly Cited Researchers in Clarivate’s list (20%)
Research Output (40%)
Papers published in Nature and Science (20%)
Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded and Social Science Citation Index (20%)
Per Capita Performance (10%) – Weighted scores of all indicators divided by the number of academic staff
(Weights may vary for subject-specific Shanghai Rankings)
Why Shanghai Rankings Matter
Global Prestige – Recognised as one of the “Big Three” world rankings alongside QS and THE
Research Excellence Showcase – Highlights faculty achievements and institutional research strength
International Attraction – Appeals to top researchers, postdocs, and doctoral candidates
Funding & Grants Leverage – Strong ARWU performance attracts research funding and industry partnerships
Objective Benchmark – Fully data-based evaluation without reputation surveys
How RK Institutional Partners Supports You
Research Impact Analysis – Assess publication quality, citation strength, and award potential
Highly Cited Researcher Development – Strategies for faculty to achieve global research recognition
Publication Strategy – Targeting Nature, Science, and high-impact journals
International Collaboration Plans – Enhance joint research projects and co-authored publications
Faculty Recognition Support – Nomination assistance for global awards and fellowships
Continuous Monitoring – Annual ARWU score tracking and improvement roadmaps
With RK Institutional Partners, your institution can strengthen its research credentials, enhance global reputation, and climb the Shanghai Rankings — positioning itself among the world’s most elite universities.