When choosing a university, it's important to consider how well it is ranked in Australia and internationally.
Although a relatively new institution, each year VU receives greater global recognition.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021 (and previously in 2017–20), VU was ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide.
In 2019, we were also ranked equal 51st among more than 300 universities in the Times Higher Education Asia–Pacific University Ranking.
The ranking is a list of the best universities globally and is the only international performance ranking to evaluate universities across their core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
In other THE rankings:
- VU ranked 56th in the world's top 200 universities under 50 years old, in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings. VU has ranked in the top 60 since 2017.
- VU ranked 11th out of 22 Australian institutions in the 2020 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings. Within this ranking we are #2 of the ranked Victorian universities.
- VU ranked 54th in 2018 and 55th in 2017 for the Times Higher Education Asia Pacific University Rankings, moving up to 51st in 2019.
Our engineering and computer science subjects also ranked among the state's best in the 2019 World University Subject Rankings.
In 2021, our rankings improved dramatically in three of our focus areas, Business Eco, Life Sciences, and Psychology.
Study in Melbourne, the world's most liveable city. Source: Economist Intelligence Unit
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
THE Impact Rankings capture universities’ impact on society, based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a framework of 17 aims for sustainable development.
In the 2020 rankings, we had some great successes.
Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, VU is ranked:
- 12th in the world for Quality Education (SDG 4) out of more than 670 global institutions
- =33rd for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) out of more than 450 global institutions
- 101-200 for Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) out of 620 globally ranked institutions
- 101-200 for Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17) out of 806 globally ranked institutions with a score of 71.4.
Read more about our focus on UN sustainability goals.
World-famous courses and subjects
VU's courses are in-demand internationally, with many students studying our degrees through international university partners in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
In 2017, our Master of Business Administration was ranked in Tier 1 by London-based CEO Magazine.
ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
The 2020 ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) (also known as Shanghai Ranking) ranks universities in 54 subjects.
VU has two subject areas ranking in the top 50 in the world, and others in the top third or half:
- sports science schools and departments – 9th out of 300 globally ranked institutions (2020)
- automation and control – 32 out of 200
- hospitality and tourism management – 101-150 out of 300
- electrical and electronic engineering – 151-200 out of 500
- computer science and engineering – 101-150 out of 500.
QS World University Rankings
We jumped five bands from #601-650 in the world in 2020 to #551-560 in 2021 in the QS World University Rankings, placing us in the top half of all ranked institutions. The report highlights VU’s improvements in the categories of 'research citations' and 'international students'.
World-leading research
VU researchers were recognised for their global standing in the latest Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) results.
VU achieved:
- the highest rating of 5 (well above world standard) in six research areas
- a rating of 4 (above world standard) in nine areas
- a rating of 3 (world standard) in thirteen areas.
Read more about our research excellence.
World-class research areas
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghi Rankings) ranked Victoria University:
- in the world’s top 9 places to study Sport Science
- #35 in the world for Hospitality and Tourism Management research.
We are also ranked 19th globally accounting-education research in the Brigham Young university research rankings, making us the top-ranked Australian university in this area.
Our world-class multipurpose facilities at the Institute for Health and Sport are designed for research and teaching.
National awards & recognition
ELearning awards
VU and Victoria University Polytechnic received six Platinum and one Gold Award for eLearning projects at the 2019 LearnX Live awards. The awards reflect VU’s engaging, collaborative education and training approach for its students, staff and industry clients.
Victorian Training Awards
Victoria University Polytechnic received the Inclusive Training Provider of the Year Award at the 65th Anniversary of the Victorian Training Awards (2019). This Award recognises exceptional training providers within the Victorian Government’s vocational education and training system who have demonstrated outstanding improvements with regard to the achievement, engagement and well-being of students with additional needs.
Good design awards
An innovative mobile ‘super app’ created by a student-led team of Victoria University technologists and designers was given Australia’s highest honour for design and innovation at the peak industry Good Design Awards.
The Victoria University App received a prestigious Gold Accolade in the Digital Design category for outstanding design and innovation.
