University ranking provides an easy way for prospective students to compare universities. However, it is important to remember that rankings are only a part of the decision-making process. They should be complemented by your personal goals, preferences and practical considerations.
Despite their popularity, ranking systems are subject to criticism. It is commonly argued that they are flawed due to their methodology, which often focuses on narrow metrics and overlooks other important aspects of a university’s academic offerings. In addition, the ranking criteria are highly subjective and based on perception.
It is also alleged that the rankings can perpetuate inequalities in the allocation of resources and opportunities as established, large institutions with greater financial resources tend to do better than smaller newer institutions. In particular, a lack of funding for research can significantly affect university ranking performance, especially in Life Sciences and Medicine, where a large proportion of the rankings are based on bibliometric data.
One potential solution would be to incorporate a dimension that measures democratic values in the university. This is already being attempted by the Global Public Policy Institute, which published an index of universities in 2021 based on their level of freedom. However, it remains to be seen how such a dimension could be integrated into a university ranking in a meaningful way.
Nevertheless, university rankings are an important tool to promote your university and attract the best talent. We therefore advise you to use them in conjunction with other sources of information when making your university selection.