The new QS World University Rankings 2010 confirm Aarhus University’s placing in the top 100 in the world.

Aarhus University is number 84 in the ranking list of the world’s best universities just published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The university has dropped back compared with last year, when five years of steady progress resulted in a placing as number 63.

Aarhus University’s ranking in the QS list 2005–2010:

• 2005:          138
• 2006:          126
• 2007:          114
• 2008:          81
• 2009:          63
• 2010:          84

The QS list of the best universities in the world was published last year by Times Higher Education (THE), but following fierce criticism of the very subjective method of assessment used by QS to rank the universities, THE has chosen to use its own ranking method this year. THE’s new ranking list will be published in mid-September.

“Our aim has always been to be among the best 100 in the world and in the top of the European universities. The QS list is based to a large extent on the reputation of the universities among researchers, which can result in significant fluctuation from year to year. I’d like to emphasise that Aarhus University is in a very strong stage of development, and the university’s placing in the top 100 is confirmed by the different ranking lists,” says Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen.

• Ranking method:

• External researchers’ assessment of the university’s research – 40 per cent weighting.

• Number of citations in scientific/academic journals – 20 per cent weighting.

• Number of students per researcher (the fewer the better) – 20 per cent weighting.

• Employer review of graduates from the university – 10 per cent weighting.

• Number of international students – 5 per cent weighting.

• Number of international researchers – 5 per cent weighting.

• Read more about the ranking list and ranking method.

More information

Head of Press Affairs Anders Correll: +45 2899 2235