University rankings have gained popularity around the world and are now a significant factor shaping reputation. This second edition updates Ellen Hazelkorn's first comprehensive study of rankings from a global perspective, drawing in new original research and extensive analysis. It is essential reading for policymakers, managers and scholars.

Delivering quality education to students while remaining competitive at an international level is only one of the many challenges universities face today. To attain their goals, universities must adopt new strategies to achieve academic excellence. World University Rankings and the Future of Higher Education is a pivotal reference source for the latest scholarly research on the implementation of a ranking system for higher education institutions, providing a thorough overview of the impacts of these rankings on educational quality. Exploring the benefits and challenges of this system in a global context, this book is ideally designed for academicians, researchers, students, administrators, and policy makers interested in the effects of university rankings in the education sector and beyond.

Gathering unique and thoughtful contributions from leading international scholars, this timely Research Handbook offers diverse perspectives on university rankings twenty years after the first global rankings emerged. It presents an in-depth analysis that reflects the current state of research on rankings, their influence and impact.

In the ever-evolving environment of higher education, where institutions are motivated by the pursuit of excellence and global recognition, the HE Higher Education Ranking stands as a transforming force. This book, "Introduction to HE Higher Education Ranking: Methodology, Criteria, and Indicators," beckons readers into a profound exploration of this innovative ranking system, offering a comprehensive understanding of its origins, methodologies, and the complex relationships that shape its significance in the field of global academia. Our voyage begins by diving into the historical fabric of higher education rankings, tracking the growth of these assessments as they have come to play a vital role in creating institutional identities. Against this context, the HE Higher Education Ranking emerges as a modern answer, a product of painstaking planning and a realization of the growing demands within the academic scene. Established in 2022, the debut edition, presented in April 2023, constituted a watershed moment—an expression of the ranking's dedication to providing a novel, complete view of the institutional position. The story unfolds beyond the mere presentation of numerical placements. This book serves as a guide, introducing varied readers—academics, institutional leaders, students, and enthusiasts—to the sophisticated mechanisms that govern the HE Higher Education Ranking. As we go across its techniques, criteria, and indicators, the goal is to transcend the surface-level comprehension of rankings, unraveling the layers that contribute to a complete assessment of academic institutions on a global basis. The HE Higher Education Ranking, with its genesis in the recent past, represents a commitment to responding to the difficulties of modern higher education. It recognizes that excellence is multi-faceted, reaching beyond established measurements. This appreciation is integrated into the very fabric of the ranking, molding its criteria to encompass the many contributions that institutions contribute to the educational scene. The book contextualizes this philosophy, outlining the motivations and concepts that inspire the HE Higher Education Ranking in its objective to present a more comprehensive assessment of academic institutions. As we move forward through the parts, the narrative evolves to confront basic problems that go beyond the numerical rankings. Why should there be a thorough and holistic approach to rankings? What is the significance of universities in participating in such assessments? Why precisely 25 criteria, and how manageable are the 138 indications that form this grading system? These questions lead us to study not just the "what" but also the "why" and "how" of the HE Higher Education Ranking, diving into the complexities that define its purpose and scope. The book strives to offer a comprehensive picture, addressing issues, investigating rationales, and engaging with the numerous facets of the HE Higher Education Ranking. It is not only a static documentation of rankings but an active inquiry, an invitation to comprehend, analyze, and participate in the ongoing conversation about the future of higher education assessment. Through this investigation, we uncover the importance of rankings in shaping institutional behavior, decision-making processes, and the future trends that will alter the landscape of academic evaluations. In simple terms, "Introduction to HE Higher Education Ranking" is an intellectual expedition—a journey into the heart of educational assessment. It is an investigation of the ranking's position as a transformative force, impacting the discourse on the future of higher education in an interconnected global arena. As we immerse ourselves in the pages that follow, we expose the layers that make the HE Higher Education Ranking an invaluable compass, guiding institutions, educators, and stakeholders toward greatness in the evolving world of academia.

The growing impact of university rankings on public policy and on students choices has stirred controversy worldwide. This unique volume brings together the architects of university rankings and their critics to debate the uses and misuses of existing rankings. With voices from five continents, it provides a comprehensive overview of current thinking on the subject and sets out alternative approaches and complementary tools for a new era of transparent and informed use of higher education ranking tables.

Global rankings and the Geopolitics of Higher Education is an examination of the impact and influence that university rankings have had on higher education, policy and public opinion in recent years. Bringing together some of the most informed authorities on this very complex issue, this edited collection of specially commissioned chapters examines the changes affecting higher education and the implications for society and the economy. Split into four interrelated sections, this book covers: The development of rankings in higher education, how they have impacted upon both the production of knowledge and its geography, and their influence in shaping policymaking. Overviews of the significance of rankings for higher education systems in Europe, Asia, Africa, Russia, South America, India and North America. An analysis of rankings in relation to key concerns that pervade contemporary higher education. Examination of the role rankings are likely to play in the future directions for higher education. This is a significant scholarly work that analyses in depth an important development in higher education systems, and which is likely to have an important influence upon how we understand the higher education policy-making process – past, present and future. It provides new analysis and conceptual understanding for researchers, and firm evidence for policy makers to use when addressing the value of rankings in measuring the quality of their institutions. Besides bringing together a powerful cast of academics, this book incorporates contributions from heads of important international higher education organisations – from both those involved in making and also in administering key decisions. This timely, reflective and accessible book forms crucial reading for those studying the subject of rankings, as well as the broader implications and unintended consequences of rankings on national higher education policies. Extending beyond academic researchers and students, this book will also be of significant interest to policymakers, higher education leaders and key stakeholders.

Analysing rankings in diverse higher education settings, this book draws on discourse analysis, theory, ethnography, and case studies, to consider the question of how knowledge is produced and shared.

This ground-breaking and exhaustive analysis of university ranking surveys scrutinizes their theoretical bases, methodological issues, societal impact, and policy implications, providing readers with a deep understanding of these controversial comparators. The authors propose that university rankings are misused by policymakers and institutional leaders alike. They assert that these interested parties overlook the highly problematic internal logic of ranking methodologies even as they obsess over the surveys’ assessment of their status. The result is that institutions suffer from short-termism, realigning their resources to maximize their relative rankings. While rankings are widely used in policy and academic discussions, this is the first book to explore the theoretical and methodological issues of ranking itself. It is a welcome contribution to an often highly charged debate. Far from showing how to manipulate the system, this collection of work by key researchers aims to enlighten interested parties.

Bridging the gap between higher education research and policy making was always a challenge, but the recent calls for more evidence-based policies have opened a window of unprecedented opportunity for researchers to bring more contributions to shaping the future of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Encouraged by the success of the 2011 first edition, Romania and Armenia have organised a 2nd edition of the Future of Higher Education – Bologna Process Researchers’ Conference (FOHE-BPRC) in November 2014, with the support of the Italian Presidency of the European Union and as part of the official EHEA agenda. Reuniting over 170 researchers from more than 30 countries, the event was a forum to debate the trends and challenges faced by higher education today and look at the future of European cooperation in higher education. The research volumes offer unique insights regarding the state of affairs of European higher education and research, as well as forward-looking policy proposals. More than 50 articles focus on essential themes in higher education: Internationalization of higher education; Financing and governance; Excellence and the diversification of missions; Teaching, learning and student engagement; Equity and the social dimension of higher education; Education, research and innovation; Quality assurance, The impacts of the Bologna Process on the EHEA and beyond and Evidence-based policies in higher education. "The Bologna process was launched at a time of great optimism about the future of the European project – to which, of course, the reform of higher education across the continent has made a major contribution. Today, for the present, that optimism has faded as economic troubles have accumulated in the Euro-zone, political tensions have been increased on issues such as immigration and armed conflict has broken out in Ukraine. There is clearly a risk that, against this troubled background, the Bologna process itself may falter. There are already signs that it has been downgraded in some countries with evidence of political withdrawal. All the more reason for the voice of higher education researchers to be heard. Since the first conference they have established themselves as powerful stakeholders in the development of the EHEA, who are helping to maintain the momentum of the Bologna process. Their pivotal role has been strengthened by the second Bucharest conference." Peter Scott, Institute of Education, London (General Rapporteur of the FOHE-BPRC first edition)

Based on the Times Higher - QS World University Rankings, this is the definitive guide to the top universities around the world. Includes rankings of the top 200 universities in the world, plus detailed profiles of the top 100 universities, including student assessments of what life is like at each university Offers a directory of over 500 of the best universities in the world along with their ranking position in each of the principal subject areas Presents reviews of the top ten study destination countries, with a detailed look at government grants and subsidies for overseas students, types of institution, entry requirements, cost of living, student life and much more Provides expert advice on how to choose and apply for the best course at the right university, and an overview of employment opportunities Gives detailed help and advice on study costs, financing and scholarships