2024 world university rankings: all you need to know

Whether you’re choosing to chase an overseas undergraduate degree or to boost your career with a master’s degree abroad, university rankings play a key role in helping you decide on your potential destination.

More than just numbers, the more prominent and recognised ranking providers – The Complete University Guide (CUG), QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings - provide deeper insights into the strengths of each university, focusing on aspects like research output and faculty-student ratio.

With students becoming more certain of what they seek in a course and how that will impact their future, university rankings have adapted and evolved in terms of ranking methodology - delivering a more comprehensive assessment of each university.

Below, you’ll uncover more about each specific ranking provider, complete with its own top 10 list of universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, the USA and the UK. If you already have a preferred destination country, we’ve filtered those for you as well.

World university Rankings

The Complete University Guide (CUG)

QS World University Rankings

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

Top universities in Australia in 2024

Top universities in New Zealand in 2024

Top universities in the UK in 2024

Top universities in Canada in 2024

Top universities in Ireland in 2024

Top universities in the USA in 2024

Confused? Get free guidance on how to enter your dream university

With over 50 years of experience connecting students to the right university and course, IDP is able to identify and narrow down the options for you. Our counsellors will guide you on how to use the university rankings, among other things, as part of your journey towards an exciting study abroad adventure.

If you’re ready to chase your goals, tap the button below or the message icon and we’ll help you get to a top institution.