The University of Porto is the best university in Portugal, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen 22 places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the joint 301st best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, the University of Porto scored particularly highly for the number of citations produced per faculty member, for which it is ranked 208th in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 100 in the world for architecture, civil & structural engineering and sports-related subjects.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

Institutions featured

This year’s table features 980 institutions, 959 of which qualify for an overall rank. 46 new institutions feature for the first time in the 2018 edition. To arrive at this final table, 4,388 institutions were considered.

Presentation changes

Institutions are presented in rank order to 400, then in groups of 10 to 500 (e.g. 401-410), in groups of 50 to 800 (extended from 700 last year) and then in a final 801-1000 range. It is not correct to surmise that institutions presented in the 701+ range in last year's ranking but the 801-1000 range this year, have necessarily dropped 100 places.

Methodological refinements

QS is constantly refining its data definitions and methods in order to provide the clearest and most reliable measure of university performance against our selected metrics. This year, in response to an extended list of universities and growing survey penetration amongst smaller employers, the weighting of employer responses has been adjusted to place greater emphasis on the viewpoint of domestic employers; and the period in which citations are accrued for research has been extended. You can find more details on these adjustments here. These adjustments will be comparatively minor for most institutions but may render year on year comparisons somewhat misleading.

Guidance for use

Universities are multi-faceted organisations and many of their strengths cannot be covered by any ranking. Selecting a university is a complex and influential decision and placing too much blind faith in the results of any ranking is likely to result in important factors to you being overlooked. Furthermore, the relative weighting of factors used to present the table is just one perspective on the relative importance of our indicators – and it’s not YOUR perspective. We recommend you use the rankings to shortlist, or inform your choices, but ensure you conduct your own thorough research too – particularly into aspects not covered by the ranking. If you want to build your own version of our ranking, or combine these results with subject performance, please download our app. For some independent advice on how best to make use of rankings consider downloading the IREG Guidelines for Stakeholders of Academic Rankings.

Notes

Chung-Ang University (South Korea) has been listed as unranked overall (from a position of 386 in the last edition) due to irregularities in survey returns posted on their behalf.

In advance of the publication of the QS World University Rankings 2018, during routine screening of our survey responses, we discovered a substantial number of anomalous responses lodged in favour of Chung-Ang University. We contacted the university to discover that they were as surprised as we were. To their great credit, they have cooperated fully with our investigation into the matter and with their help we have been able to identify that an unsanctioned undertaking to lodge a large number of false responses in favour of their university had originated from their campus. Whilst an increasingly sophisticated array of techniques are now routinely deployed to detect and eliminate such influences on our surveys, such attempts to manipulate the outcomes of our research – whether officially sanctioned or otherwise – cannot be tolerated.

As a result of these irregularities, Chung-Ang University has been listed as unranked in the QS World University Rankings 2018. Institutions in this category do not receive overall scores or ranks from QS. This institution will also be unranked in other rankings that draw on these survey data for the 2018 cycle. Assuming no further irregularities occur, they will be reinstated for the 2019 edition. This consequence has been arrived at in close consultation with our international academic advisory board.

Click here to view the most recent version of this article, based on the 2020 results.

The QS World University Rankings® 2018 are here at last, and 45 German universities feature among the world’s best, including two new entries. Germany is an increasingly popular study destination, and 12 of the country’s universities are in the global top 200, showcasing the high quality of education available. Here’s a closer look at the top 10.

1. Technische Universität München

Down four places to rank 64^th in the world, Technische Universität München (TUM) nonetheless retains its position as the best in Germany for the third time in a row. TUM calls itself The Entrepreneurial University and aims to foster a supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs. Around 24% of TUM’s 40,124 students are international.

2. Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München

Ranked 66^th in the world (up two places from last year), Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München retains its position of the second highest-ranked university in Germany. Also located in Munich, the university is one of the oldest in the country, having been founded in 1472.

3. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, also known as Heidelberg University, is up four places to rank 68^th in the world in 2018. Germany’s oldest university (established in 1386), the university has 30,787 students enrolled, including 5,793 international students.

4. KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Ranked 107^th in the world, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, usually shortened to KIT, is located in the south-west city of Karlsruhe and considered particularly prestigious for its engineering and technology programs.

5. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Consistently Berlin’s highest-ranked university, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is ranked 120^th in the world and is considered particularly prestigious for arts and humanities subjects, achieving 35^th place in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 for this subject area.

6. Freie Universität Berlin

Also in the capital, Freie Universität Berlin is ranked joint 125^th this year alongside Belgium’s University of Ghent. The university was founded in 1948 and now enrolls around 31,500 students, of which 20% are international.

7. Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Up five places to rank 141^st in 2018, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen is Germany’s largest technical university, with around 44,500 students enrolled. RWTH Aachen maintains close links to industry and is also the largest employer in the region.

8. Technische Universität Berlin

Also improving this year is Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin), which climbs 20 places to rank 144^th. Considered particularly strong for engineering subjects, TU Berlin is a member of the TU9, an alliance of the leading German Institutes of Technology.

9. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

Ranked joint 164^th in the world, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen is one of the oldest German universities, founded in 1477. Today it has around 28,300 students and is considered particularly prestigious for subjects such as theology, German studies and medicine.

10. Universität Freiburg

Officially called Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Universität Freiburg is ranked 171^st in the world in 2018. Established in 1457, the university has more than 24,000 students from over 100 countries, and has been associated with 19 Nobel laureates.

The remaining top 20 German universities are…

11. Georg-August-Universität Göttingen – ranked 181^st in the world.
12. Universität Hamburg – ranked 223^rd in the world.
13. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn – ranked 239^th in the world.
14. Universität Frankfurt am Main – ranked joint 254^th in the world.
15. Universität Stuttgart – ranked joint 259^th in the world.
16. Technische Universität Darmstadt – ranked joint 272^nd in the world.
17. Technische Universität Dresden – ranked joint 281^st in the world.
18. Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg – ranked joint 287^th in the world.
19. Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster – ranked joint 308^th in the world.
20. Universität Köln – ranked joint 331^st in the world, up 16 places from last year.

And the rest…

After the top 400 universities, the QS World University Rankings groups universities in ranges, from 401-410, continuing to 801-1000. Click here for more information.

21. Universität Jena – ranked joint 341^st in the world, up 22 places from last year.
22. Universität Ulm– ranked joint 357^th in the world.
23. Universität Konstanz– ranked 385^th in the world.
24. Universität Mannheim– ranked joint 388^th in the world.
25. Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz – ranked joint 398^th in the world.

=26. Leibniz Universität Hannover – ranked 401-410 in the world.

=26. Ruhr-Universität Bochum – ranked 401-410 in the world.

28. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel – ranked 431-440 in the world.

=29. Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg – ranked 461-470 in the world.

=29. Universität Potsdam – new this year, ranked 461-470 in the world.

=31. Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg – ranked 481-490 in the world.

=31. Universität Bremen – ranked 481-490 in the world.

The following five universities are ranked in the 501-550 range, and are therefore joint 33^rd in Germany:

=33. Technische Universität Braunschweig – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=33. Universität des Saarlandes – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=33. Universität Hohenheim – new this year, ranked 501-550 in the world.

=33. Universität Leipzig – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=33. Universität Regensburg – ranked 501-550 in the world.

The next three universities are ranked 551-600 in the world, making them joint 38^th in Germany:

=38. Justus-liebig-Universität Gießen – ranked 551-600 in the world, up from 651-700 last year.

=38. Philipps-Universität Marburg – ranked 551-600 in the world.

=38. Universität Bayreuth – ranked 551-600 in the world.

The final five top universities in Germany are:

=41. Technische Universität Dortmund – ranked 601-650 in the world.

=41. Universität Duisburg-Essen – ranked 601-650 in the world.

=43. Universität Bielefeld – ranked 651-700 in the world.

=43. Universität Düsseldorf – ranked 651-700 in the world.

45. Universität Rostock– ranked 801-1000 in the world.

Find out more about studying in Germany with our complete guide, which includes advice on applications, tuition fees, studying in English, student visas and more.

The University of Auckland is the best university in New Zealand, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has fallen one place globally since last year’s ranking and is now the joint 82nd best university in the world, but it remains the best in the country despite this.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, the University of Auckland scored particularly highly for its reputation with academics, for which it is ranked 56th in the world.

This ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 20 in the world for archaeology and education.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

The Delft University of Technology is the best university in the Netherlands, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen eight places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the 54th best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, the Delft University of Technology scored particularly highly for the number of citations produced per faculty member, for which it is ranked 36th in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 10 in the world for architecture and civil & structural engineering.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is the best university in Mexico, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen six places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the joint 122nd best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, UNAM scored particularly highly for its reputation with employers, for which it is ranked 62nd in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 25 in the world for art & design, mineral & mining engineering and modern languages.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

Universiti Malaya (UM) is the best university in Malaysia, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen 19 places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the joint 114th best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, UM scored particularly highly for its ratio of students to faculty members, for which it is ranked 82nd in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 40 in the world for development studies and three different branches of engineering (chemical, electrical/electronic and mechanical/aeronautical/manufacturing).

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is the best university in Kazakhstan, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university is a non-mover globally compared to last year’s ranking, meaning it’s the joint 236th best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University scored particularly highly for its ratio of students to faculty members, for which it is ranked 36th in the world.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

The University of Tokyo is the best university in Japan, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen six places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the joint 28th best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, the University of Tokyo scored particularly highly for its reputation with academics, for which it is ranked seventh in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 10 in the world for eight subjects, including chemistry, modern languages, anatomy & physiology and physics & astronomy.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.

Politecnico di Milano is the best university in Italy, according to the latest version of the QS World University Rankings®.

The university has risen 13 places globally since last year’s ranking and is now the 170th best university in the world, as well as being the best in the country.

Of the six ranking indicators used to assess universities, Politecnico di Milano scored particularly highly for its reputation with employers, for which it is ranked 53rd in the world.

This good ranking follows the strong performance of the university in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, where it is ranked in the top 20 in the world for art & design, architecture and civil & structural engineering.

This year’s World University Ranking features over 950 universities from 84 different countries. To read more about how it’s compiled, click here, or click here to see this year’s rankings in full.