What is QS Stars?

What if there was an easy way to narrow down your options and find the perfect university that aligns with your academic goals and personal values, not just your grades? 

QS Stars university ratings help you navigate the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) world of higher education. Going beyond traditional rankings, QS Stars dives deep into universities’ strengths and weaknesses to find your best university match. 

How do you use QS Stars? 

• Gain clear insights: You can browse the QS Stars university ratings in the interactive online table. 

• Make personalised choices: You can filter the results by country, number of Stars, and categories that are most important to you. 

• Explore institutions further: Once you have found a university that interests you, visit its TopUniversities profile to learn more about it. 

How many universities have QS Stars ratings? 

How does QS Stars rate institutions?  

QS Stars goes beyond rankings to provide you with a comprehensive picture of an institution's strengths and weaknesses. Instead of comparing universities directly, QS Stars assesses them across dozens of indicators across at least eight areas, in five categories crucial to the student experience: 

• Learning experience 

• Employability & outcomes 

• Research & innovation 

• Global engagement 

• Sustainability 

The rating process 

QS Stars employs a rigorous assessment process: 

• Data collection: Up-to-date information is gathered from universities and trusted third-party sources. 

• Evaluation and analysis: Experts carefully analyse the data, considering each category's specific criteria. 

• Point allocation: Universities are awarded points based on their performance in each category. 

• Stars rating: The accumulated points translate into an overall star rating on a scale of one to five stars, with five plus being the highest achievable overall distinction. 

New for 2024: Evolved insights, clearer choices   

We've updated our methodology to reflect the world’s evolving priorities and help you make informed decisions about your future. Look for updated QS Stars assessments with our refined methodology from January 2024.   

Want to know more? 

For detailed explanations of each star rating and further insights into the QS Stars methodology, click here.