UNSW Sydney ranked first in the nation overall, as well as in employment outcomes and sustainability categories.

UNSW Sydney has claimed the number one spot in Australia for the first time in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings - one of the most comprehensive and respected international league tables in tertiary education.

UNSW placed 19th in the world in the ranking compiled from an evaluation of 8808 institutions, with 1504 universities included in the published results. It was the only Australian university to make the top 20 and the first time a NSW university has claimed the country’s top spot.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said he was exceptionally proud of the result, which reflected the University’s sustained commitment to improving lives through education, research and positive societal impact at scale.

“We are excited to be number one because it allows us to do more, have more impact, more influence and access to more networks. It gives our talented staff and students even greater opportunities to have a positive impact on the world.

“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,” he said.

The QS World University Rankings evaluate universities on their strengths and performance using several indicators across research and discovery, employability and outcomes, learning experience, global engagement and sustainability.

Of the 37 Australian institutions analysed, UNSW placed first in employment outcomes (with a score of 97.4/100) and sustainability (98) and third for both reputation among employers (94.3) and the richness and diversity of our international research partnerships (96.9). The University scored more than 94% in eight of the nine categories.

Across Australia, 21 universities improved their position. Almost every Australian institution now sits higher than it did a decade ago, underlining the sustained growth of the country’s higher education system over the past 10 years. UNSW leads that advance, climbing 30 places since 2017 to rank 19th in the world.

Prof. Brungs said the achievement is a testament to the strength of Australia’s higher education sector.

“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. The results also demonstrate that Australia continues to punch above our weight on the global stage," he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox, said the rankings demonstrated UNSW's continued excellence across multiple performance indicators.

“These results reflect the quality, influence and growing recognition of UNSW's remarkable research community, and the strength and depth of the partnerships that enable us to tackle complex challenges, create new knowledge, and deliver meaningful impact. This achievement belongs to our researchers, professional staff, students, alumni and partners, whose talent, dedication and ambition continue to extend the reach and impact of our research around the world.”

UNSW sets the benchmark for graduate employment
One of the performance indicators driving UNSW’s rankings success was ‘employability and outcomes’. UNSW ranked third in Australia for ‘employer reputation’, which measures employers’ perceptions of which universities produce the most job-ready graduates. The University ranked first for ‘graduate outcomes’, a measure that’s becoming increasingly important to students assessing the return on investment in higher education.

Graduate outcomes reflect an institution’s ability to deliver high levels of employability while also nurturing future leaders who go on to make an impact in their respective fields.

“At UNSW, we are committed to providing industry-engaged learning, along with the opportunities, support and real-world experiences for our students that help them develop the skills, confidence and connections to thrive throughout their careers,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience, Professor Sarah Maddison.

“We’re incredibly proud of the success of our graduates and the impact they go on to make in their professions, communities and beyond.”

A national and global leader in sustainability
UNSW ranked seventh globally and number one in Australia for sustainability.

UNSW Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement Professor Verity Frith said: “Our strong performance in sustainability demonstrates our determination to help address some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges while fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. Sustainability is not only about protecting our planet, it’s also about creating opportunities and improving outcomes for people and communities everywhere. Cultivating world-class thinkers to address society’s greatest social and sustainability issues is at the core of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All.”

Learn more about the 2027 QS World University Rankings