The 2026 rankings, which evaluated more than 8,400 universities globally, saw Macquarie also placed 11th in Australia.
The annual QS World University Rankings assess institutions across a range of key quality indicators, including research and discovery, learning experience, employability, global engagement, and sustainability.
In the latest rankings, the University saw strong improvement in its overall score, jumping nine points from 54.1 to 63.3 – the largest year-on-year improvement in five years.
The University also saw significant increases in its scores across other key quality indicators, including academic reputation and employer reputation.
Globally, the University’s academic reputation improved 20 ranks, from 262 to 242, with employer reputation rising 35 ranks from 241 to 206.
The quality of published research was also confirmed, with the University scoring 85.8 in citations per faculty – the strongest result in five years and placing Macquarie among the top 10 per cent of universities globally in this indicator.
The University was also recognised as a leader in global engagement, scoring a perfect 100 for international faculty, as well as improved scores for international students and international research networks.
Macquarie debuted 86th in the world for the new quality indicator of international student diversity, with more than 120 nationalities represented on the University’s campus. Taken together, these scores position Macquarie University among the top 10 per cent of universities worldwide for global engagement.
The University’s commitment to sustainability, through campus initiatives and research, was also recognised, with Macquarie ranking 9th in Australia, 59th internationally and in the top 5 per cent of universities globally.
Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton said the latest rankings demonstrated the University’s ongoing impact across education, research and societal contribution.
“These strong rankings not only confirm Macquarie University’s place among the very best universities globally – they recognise how we continue to deliver transformative research, education and engagement with the world,” he said.
“We are defined by our commitment to academic distinction, quality and innovation.
“These rankings reflect our aspirations and achievements. They are a welcome and well-deserved acknowledgement, and something we should all be proud of.
“I want to congratulate and thank our people, our partners and our supporters for their dedication, hard work and service to Macquarie University and our mission to deliver benefit to all.”
