International and National Universities Rankings

Navigating the diverse landscape of international university rankings can be a complex endeavor. Numerous organizations, each with its own methodology and criteria, produce rankings that assess universities on various factors such as academic reputation, research output, citations, student-to-faculty ratio, and international outlook. These rankings often generate significant media attention and influence student choices, institutional priorities, and government policies. However, it's crucial to understand that these rankings provide a limited and often incomplete picture of an institution's true value. They should be considered as one of many factors when making informed decisions about higher education.

The Shanghai Ranking, also known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), is a widely recognized global university ranking system. Established by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003, it has become a significant benchmark in the international higher education landscape. The Shanghai Ranking primarily focuses on research output and academic achievements, using objective indicators such as the number of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal laureates among alumni and faculty, the number of highly cited researchers, papers published in top scientific journals, and per capita academic performance. This emphasis on research excellence has made the Shanghai Ranking particularly influential in scientific and technological fields. 

The Ranking Web of Universities (Webometrics) is a global ranking of universities based on their web presence. It assesses institutions based on their visibility, impact, and openness on the internet. By analyzing factors such as the number of web pages, citations, and links, Webometrics provides insights into a university's digital footprint and its ability to disseminate knowledge and engage with the global academic community. This ranking is particularly valuable for institutions seeking to enhance their online presence, improve their visibility, and measure their impact in the digital age. Click here for more information.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings is a prestigious annual publication that evaluates and ranks universities worldwide.  It is highly regarded by students, faculty, and policymakers as a benchmark for institutional excellence. The rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that assesses universities across five key areas: teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. These metrics provide a holistic view of a university's performance and its contributions to the global academic community. The THE rankings are widely used to inform students' choices, guide research collaborations, and measure institutional progress. Click here for more information.

The SCImago Institutions Ranking (SIR) is a global ranking of scientific research institutions based on a comprehensive analysis of their research output. It uses a combination of indicators to assess the quality, quantity, and impact of research, including the number of publications, citations, and international collaborations. SIR provides a valuable tool for evaluating the scientific performance of institutions worldwide and identifying emerging trends in research. It is particularly useful for policymakers, researchers, and funding agencies seeking to understand the landscape of scientific research and support institutions with high-quality research capabilities. Click here for more information.

The QS World University Rankings is a highly regarded annual publication that evaluates and ranks universities worldwide. It is renowned for its emphasis on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per paper, and international student and faculty ratios. These metrics provide a comprehensive assessment of a university's overall quality and its ability to produce research, attract top talent, and foster a global learning environment. The QS rankings are widely used by students, researchers, and policymakers as a valuable resource for making informed decisions about higher education institutions. Click here for more information.

The UI Green Metric World University Ranking is a global ranking that evaluates universities based on their environmental sustainability performance. It assesses institutions across ten indicators, including infrastructure, waste management, water conservation, energy use, transportation, education, research, and green campus. By promoting sustainable practices and recognizing institutions committed to environmental stewardship, the UI Green Metric ranking contributes to a more sustainable future for higher education. Click here for more information.

University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) team members are METU researchers who voluntarily participate in URAP Research Lab as public service. The main objective of URAP is to develop a ranking system for the world universities based on academic performance indicators that reflect the quality and the quantity of their scholarly publications. In line with this objective URAP has been annually releasing the World Ranking of Higher Education Institutions since 2010, and Field Rankings since 2011.

The National University Ranking (NUR) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a comprehensive assessment of the region's universities. Established by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, NUR aims to evaluate institutions based on various criteria, including teaching quality, research output, internationalization, and community engagement. The ranking serves as a valuable tool for students, faculty, and policymakers, providing insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of different universities. By promoting academic excellence and accountability, NUR contributes to the development of a vibrant and competitive higher education sector in the Kurdistan Region. Click here