The University of Queensland has taken the top position in new local uni rankings. 

The Australian Financial Review’s inaugural Best Universities Ranking puts UQ on top, narrowly surpassing the University of New South Wales at second and the Australian National University at third place. 

The media outlet’s new ranking, drawing on various data sources, is intended to present a nuanced perspective on Australian higher education, separate from conventional league tables like Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

The AFR says its approach recognises that universities begin from varying positions and pursue distinct paths. 

The ranking assesses institutions based on five categories: student satisfaction, research performance, global reputation, career impact, and equity and access.

The University of Melbourne, traditionally a top-ranking institution globally, achieved first place in research and reputation but dropped to seventh overall due to lower performance in student satisfaction. 

Equity and access, a crucial aspect often overlooked in international rankings, gained prominence in this assessment. 

UNSW, despite ranking 29th in equity and access, scored high for its commitment to improving enrollments among disadvantaged students, focusing particularly on Indigenous backgrounds. 

More details are accessible here.