What is QS Stars?

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 

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. 

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.