2026–27 Update
UNSW Sydney: #19 globally
A notable change is that UNSW Sydney is currently Australia's highest-ranked university in QS 2027, at #19 globally.
Australian Universities
QS Top 100 Universities in Australia
Explore Australian universities ranked in the global top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, then compare courses, subject strengths, tuition fees, scholarships and entry requirements.
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Explore Australia's QS Top 100 Universities
Compare the Australian universities ranked in the global top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2027 by location, tuition fees, scholarships, entry requirements and courses.
Field Guide
Australian Universities in the QS World Top 100 — 2027
The QS World University Rankings 2027 were published on 18 June 2026. Australia currently has nine universities in the QS global top 100.
QS World University Rankings 2027: Australian Universities in the Top 100
- 19 · UNSW Sydney
- =22 · The University of Melbourne
- 28 · The University of Sydney
- 29 · Australian National University
- 31 · Monash University
- =40 · The University of Queensland
- =77 · The University of Western Australia
- 79 · Adelaide University
- =87 · University of Technology Sydney
QS directly places UNSW at 19 and Melbourne at =22 in the 2027 edition, while the Go8 reports that Australia has nine institutions in the global top 100.
Go8 and Top 100 Are Not the Same Thing
8 of the 9 are Go8 members
Eight of Australia's nine QS top-100 institutions are current Group of Eight members.
UTS is the additional non-Go8 Australian university in the QS top 100, ranked =87.
Overall Ranking vs Subject Ranking
A university's global overall rank does not mean every subject at that institution has the same relative strength.
Students should also investigate subject-specific rankings and actual course content.
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Expert Context
How to Use QS Rankings Properly
QS Measures Universities, Not Your Personal Fit
The overall QS ranking aggregates multiple institution-level indicators.
It does not answer questions such as:
- Can you meet the entry requirements?
- Does the university offer your exact major?
- Is the tuition within your budget?
- Does the course have the professional accreditation you need?
- Is the city suitable for you?
A Few Ranking Positions Should Not Drive the Decision
The difference between #22 and #28 does not automatically mean one student's course experience will be better.
Use ranking as one signal, not the final decision.
Compare Subject Strength
A university ranked lower overall may perform extremely strongly in your subject.
This can be particularly relevant for:
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Nursing
- Data Science
- Business
- Law
- Education
- other specialised fields.
Rankings Change Every Year
QS 2027 is the current edition as of October 2026.
Study Explorer should always display:
ranking provider + edition/year + source
rather than publishing a rank without context.
Different Ranking Systems Give Different Results
For example, THE World University Rankings 2027 place the University of Melbourne as Australia's highest-ranked institution at =34 globally, while QS 2027 places UNSW first nationally at #19.
Neither is necessarily “wrong”; they use different methodologies.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked
How many Australian universities are in the QS top 100 in 2027?
Nine.
Which Australian university is highest in QS 2027?
UNSW Sydney, ranked 19th globally.
Are all QS top 100 Australian universities members of the Group of Eight?
No. UTS is currently in the QS top 100 and is not a Go8 member.
Does QS ranking tell me which university is best for my course?
Not by itself. Subject strength, curriculum, accreditation, cost and eligibility should also be compared.
Why does another ranking show a different number?
Different ranking organisations use different methodologies and indicators.
Will these rankings stay the same next year?
No. Rankings are updated annually and positions can change.
Use Rankings to Start Your Comparison — Not Finish It
Compare top-ranked universities against your subject, academic profile, tuition budget and study priorities.