Later this month, QS will launch a brand-new university ranking. What, another one? Yes, another one. With more and more students choosing to stay in university and complete a postgraduate degree, we spotted a niche not covered by our existing World University Rankings or World University Rankings by Subject.

The QS World University Rankings: Business Master’s Rankings 2018 will identify the best business schools and universities for studying a master’s degree in management, finance or business analytics. Why these subjects? Because demand for each of these business master’s degrees is growing rapidly, particularly among business-minded students with an entrepreneurial eye.

These rankings will be compiled using five different metrics: employability, entrepreneurship and alumni success, return on investment, thought leadership and class & faculty diversity.

To get more information on the work that went into these rankings, and how students should aim to use them, we spoke to QS CEO Nunzio Quacquarelli (as seen in the video above) and Ben Sowter, Head of QS’s Intelligence Unit.

This is the first time QS have produced a ranking on Masters in Management, Masters in Finance and Masters in Business Analytics. Why now?

Nunzio: QS has been connecting applicants with business schools for over 20 years. Although the Full-Time MBA remains the flagship program for many schools, business masters programs are now equally popular, and in some countries more popular than the Full-Time MBA. So, it makes sense for Qs to provide these rankings side by side and allow candidates to compare.

Ben: QS resists the temptation to produce rankings that just add to the noise or slice and dice existing data in a different way. We seek a distinctive and meaningful angle before coming out of the gate. Our employer survey has been and remains one such angle, but here a vast project examining the education history of business leaders and key influencers has also come to bear, enabling us to produce a new lens on business education.

What sets these rankings apart from others available?

Ben: Alumni success is one of the measured indicators and that’s the stand-out factor for me. Over 49,000 education experiences of key business leaders and influencers have been gathered in a massive, brute force data collection effort, so we can see the schools and programs that have a proven track record of unleashing potential. This cuts right to the heart of the QS mission.

How was the methodology devised for the rankings?

Ben: As with all our rankings, a lot of hypothesis testing goes on and every outcome, expected or unexpected, has been tested for validity. The first edition of any ranking is fascinating and absorbing but, inevitably, has room to further learn and evolve. Devising and honing this methodology has only just begun and we can't wait to start gathering and processing feedback on this first edition to pave the way for the next.

What are the advantages of using multiple indicators to rank universities? How should prospective students best use these rankings in their decision-making process?

Nunzio: The indicators are selected because each provides a useful perspective. It is perhaps more important to look at these individual indicators, than the overall results. That is why we produce the QS Rankings app on iPhone and Android which allows candidates to create a personalized ranking by changing the weightings of the indicators and narrowing their countries of interest.

Ben: No student should place their whole faith in any ranking. Personally, I'd recommend they download our app, tweak our weights to their own design, filter the results to their own requirements and then shortlist three-eight programs to research further. Read their course profiles, explore their performance in other rankings and, crucially, seek an opportunity to meet or interact online with a real human representative of those programs or schools. 

For more information about these rankings, keep an eye on TopUniversities.com and our sister site TopMBA.com over the coming weeks.

Sponsored by Curtin University   As much as you might want to physically attend university, it’s not always possible. Whether it’s because of work, health issues or other responsibilities, spending hours every week in lectures and seminars might not be practical.   However, many top universities now offer online learning programs, which are a flexible alternative for those with busy or uncompromising schedules. Studying online means that you'll do the same coursework and assessments as the students studying on-campus, but you'll study where you want, have more flexibility with your time, and may use different technology and methods to complete your work. Here are some of the key benefits to online study.

Studying online requires discipline and commitment employers will love

When you study online, you’re required to prioritise and schedule your learning alongside your other commitments. There are no rigid and mandatory timetables set by the university, and participation is driven by your own motivation. Many recruiters would view an online student’s ability to work independently, take charge of their own education and juggle different responsibilities as a rare advantage for a fresh graduate to have.

You’ll save money on tuition fees and cut the costs of commuting

With rising tuition fees around the world, some people simply cannot afford to pay for university. Online learning can cost a fraction of the price of traditional education and provide you with the flexibility required to earn a living while you study. Higher education pioneers such as Curtin University are offering opportunities to gain a prestigious accredited online degree at a reduced tuition fee, such as the Master of Science (Project Management) and the Master of Education.

You’ll be able to pursue other interests while enrolled in full-time study

Whether you’re looking to travel while you study or start your own business, online education could allow you to do both. If you’re a learner as well as a “doer”, there’s no reason why your your life should take a hiatus while you get your qualifications. To get a sense of the type of schedule an online Curtin University student might have, check out two sample timetables.

Taking your education into your own hands is empowering

Online learning means having to take the initiative. While you’re following the same syllabus as everyone else, you’ll learn on your own terms, in your own time. This level of autonomy clearly works. Research by the US Department of Education has shown that students in online education outperform those in traditional education [.pdf], with online students scoring in the 59th percentile in tests, compared to the average classroom student, who scored in the 50th percentile.

You’ll be well-supported by your virtual teacher and online resources

As an online student, you’ll be supported by an online tutor and a social network of other students to share your experiences and collaborate with on group assignments. You also have access to an interactive platform 24 hours a day, seven days a week, an online library of tests, past exam papers, journals, a social networking platform with other online learning students and teachers experienced in online education.   The ultimate benefit? The degree you take home at the end of the day will be the same degree as classroom students.   Watch a short video about what it’s like to study online at Curtin University.