Home Examining QS Rankings and Top Universities in the Philippines 

Examining QS Rankings and Top Universities in the Philippines 

examining qs rankings and top universities in the philippines

Attending a top university comes with numerous benefits. Many of us can recall our parents encouraging us to earn good grades in high school to secure a spot at a prestigious university. Undoubtedly, studying at a top university instills a sense of pride and delivers an unparalleled educational experience. Rankings like the QS World University Rankings provide a global comparison of universities. These rankings take into account various factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, and research output. What exactly is the QS World University Rankings?

What is QS World University Rankings?

The QS World University Rankings, produced by Quacquarelli Symonds since 2004, provides a comprehensive list of the world’s top universities. Their rankings provide independent and authoritative institutions which help in driving institutional performance and guide students in decision-making. 

The most widely recognized university rankings in the world, QS is the world’s leading source of comparative institutional performance assessments for universities and students all over the globe.

QS’s yearly publication of university and business school rankings includes their main subject and global rankings, together with their regional and specialist rankings. 



Understanding QS World University Rankings

According to Britannia’s article on QS Ranking Methodology 2024, a methodology has been developed by the committee after consulting with about 8,000 academicians and conducting a peer-reviewed survey. This methodology is based on four main areas: the reputation of research, the environment for learning and teaching, the impact of research, and internationalization.

The following indicators are used to rank the world’s best universities in the recent rankings: 

  1. Academic Reputation
  2. Employer Reputation
  3. Faculty Student Ratio
  4. Citations per Faculty
  5. International Faculty Ratio
  6. International Student Ratio

The University of the Philippines Ranking

Recent reports confirm that the University of the Philippines (UP) retained its top position among the country’s universities in the 2024 QS Asia University Rankings. Among Asian universities, UP ranked 78th, an improvement from its 87th place in 2023.

The Top Universities in the Philippines

Based on the rankings by uniRank, the University of the Philippines is ranked as the top 1 university in the Philippines in the 2023 Philippine University Ranking. Here are the top 10 universities according to this ranking:



1. University of the Philippines Diliman

2. Ateneo de Manila University

3. University of the Philippines System



4. De La Salle University

5. University of Santo Tomas

6. Polytechnic University of the Philippines

7. University of the Philippines Los Banos

8. University of the Philippines Manila

9. University of San Carlos

10. University of Cebu

The 2023 Philippine University Ranking by uniRank includes 232 Philippine higher-education institutions. They must be accredited, offer at least three-year bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in a traditional format. 

These rankings aim to provide an unbiased League Table of top Philippine Universities and Colleges, based on independent web metrics rather than Universities’ data.

Aside from this, 4 Philippine universities made it to the QS World University Rankings in Asia for 2024. 

The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila, and Mindanao State University (MSU) have made their debut in the QS rankings. The rankings, which were announced on November 8, placed USC and PUP in the 551-600 range, FEU-Manila in the 701-750 range, and MSU in the 801 and above range.

The University of the Philippines’ World Ranking

The University of the Philippines has consistently appeared in the QS World University Rankings since 2012. In the current rankings, they are placed at #404, an improvement from their #412 position last year. 

Compared to other universities, Ateneo de Manila’s ranking fell slightly from 134th to 137th. De La Salle University improved its ranking from 171st to 154th. However, the University of Santo Tomas’ ranking dropped from 175th to 179th.

Moreover, four Philippine universities made it to the QS World University Rankings in Asia for 2024. 

The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila, and Mindanao State University (MSU) have made their debut in the QS rankings. The rankings, which were announced on November 8, placed USC and PUP in the 551-600 range, FEU-Manila in the 701-750 range, and MSU in the 801 and above range.

One might ask, “What are the factors that influence global ranking of universities?” In the recent QS World University Rankings, the following indicators are used to rank the world’s best universities as of 2024: 

  1. Academic Reputation (40%) 
  2. Employer Reputation (15%)
  3. Faculty Student Ratio (15%) 
  4. Citations per Faculty (20%) 
  5. Internationalization (10%) 
  6. Others – International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, Sustainability (15%) 

What is the best university in the Philippines?

Subjectively, this question can be easily answered by naming a university where you wish to study, especially if it’s a reputable one. Nevertheless, university rankings serve as indicators of quality for higher educational institutions (HEIs). For Philippine universities, the impact of rankings extends beyond national recognition. It could lead to increased graduate recruitment, enhanced visibility, and more partnerships and collaborations with external stakeholders.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) are the main authorities that publish global and regional university rankings.

Compared to global rankings, regional rankings often provide a more detailed and unique view of the top institutions in their respective regions.

In the Philippines, QS recommends the following universities for higher education:

1. University of the Philippines (UP)

2. Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU)

3. De La Salle University (DLSU)

4. University of Santo Tomas (UST) 

Take note that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other great institutions available. It’s important to research each school to find the one that best suits your educational goals and personal needs.

Conclusion

University rankings play a significant role in highlighting the quality of higher education institutions globally. They provide invaluable insight into the academic reputation, employer reputation, and research output of universities, helping prospective students make informed decisions about their educational journey. 

The QS World University Rankings, in particular, is a trusted source of comparative institutional performance assessments worldwide. In addition to its wide recognition nationwide, the University of the Philippines ranking in the world showcases their commitment to academic excellence, ground-breaking research, and global impact.

Source: (1),(2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),(9)


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