University of Canberra continues to rise in world rankings

The University of Canberra is now considered to be among the world’s top 300 universities, according to the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings released this week.

The rankings show the University has jumped into the 251-300 band, up from 351-400 in 2018, further cementing its position in the top two per cent of tertiary institutions worldwide.

The Australian National University came in at 49, behind the University of Melbourne at 32 but ahead of the University of Sydney at 59.

UC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini said the result was particularly impressive for a university that is only 28 years old.

“This is an outstanding result for the University of Canberra,” Professor Saini said. “It reflects how far we’ve come in a short time, since our institution only gained university status in 1990.”

UC said that an increase in research influence and impact was the leading factor behind the leap, with the University scoring 95 out of 100 points for citation impact – the highest score among Australian universities.

This could be partly attributed to increased research publication, growing international networks and co-authorship.

“Our researchers are putting the University of Canberra on the world stage,” Professor Saini said. “They are researching ways to solve real-world problems and their work is having an impact.

“The increase in citation impact is indicative of the quality, breadth and depth of their research, as well as its impressive, fast-growing influence and reach. It’s a marker of the regard in which the University’s research is held globally.”

He said that combined with the latest Good Universities Guide ratings, which ranked UC number one in the ACT for graduate full-time employment and starting salaries, the jump in the rankings showed that the University had struck an ideal balance between world-class research and high-quality teaching that produced excellent outcomes for graduates.

“It is a brilliant reflection of how our highly-qualified staff are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of professionals and scholars,” Professor Saini said.

The University has risen steadily in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings since it entered in 2016, first placing in the 501-600 band before jumping to 401-500 in 2017, 351-400 in 2018 and now 251-300.