Quality of teaching, research reflected in ranking

Massey is pleased to have improved its place in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings.

The rankings are based on various criteria including a university's reputation among academics and employers, the percentage of international staff and students it has, its ratio of academics to students and the frequency that papers by its academics are cited in other academics' papers.

Of the 20,000 universities worldwide, QS says it considers just 700 for its rankings. Massey has an overall ranking of 308 (compared to 329 last year) and in eight subject areas it ranks in the top 200.

Its highest ranking is for education – 50th equal in the world. In earth sciences and communication and media studies it is in the top 100. In statistical and operations research and accounting and finance it is in the top 150 and in biological sciences, sociology, and economics and econometrics it is in the top 200.

Massey Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the result is pleasing, particularly with more universities being ranked every year and all of them striving to increase their performance. "New Zealand universities perform very creditably in a challenging environment," Mr Maharey says.

"Massey is committed to on-going improvements in the quality of our teaching and research activities. We are delighted that recent advances in our international research alliances and improvements in the quality of our research outputs in key areas of specialisation have been recognised.

"Equally important are the advances in the quality of our unique blended learning environment, which enables students to receive a world-class education by distance or on one of our campuses – or a mix of the two.

"We have updated our curriculum to make it more attractive for students seeking quality outcomes and grown our international student numbers and this too has been recognised by QS.

"Key emerging developments are the new student engagement strategy to support and build student success, the implementation of the Graduate Destination Survey to improve our knowledge of graduate employment and the enhanced provision of academic advice to students.

"Massey has growing authority in research in health sciences, research in technologies underpinning food systems research, and the growth of our capability in social science-based research in such domains as citizenship, migration dynamics, poverty remediation and environmental management.

"Our notable improvement relative to other New Zealand institutions is also very pleasing as it reflects our endeavours to lead in education and research in support of our role as New Zealand’s defining university."

Detail of the rankings is here: http://www.topuniversities.com