University retains top NZ spot in QS World University Rankings

The University of Auckland has retained its 65th place in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the only New Zealand University to be placed in the top 100 – a strong showing in a highly competitive global education market.

The result marks a consistently positive trend in this prestigious ranking – the University was 87th in 2023, 68th in 2024, 65th in 2025 and 65th again for 2026.  

Additionally, QS updated its methodology for the 2026 rankings, meaning a higher overall score was required to maintain the same ranking. The University of Auckland’s score increased from 69.7 in 2025 to 77.5 in 2026. There were 1,501 institutions ranked this year, including eight in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Retaining our 65th spot in the QS World Universities Rankings is an endorsement of the efforts of the University of Auckland community and its pursuit of excellence in all it does,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater. “This ranking comes in a year of upheaval in higher education in some parts of the world, alongside rapidly improved performances from peers in other regions.  

“We are proud to be New Zealand’s highest-ranked university and a popular destination for academics and students from around the world.

“And while a top 100 ranking is excellent, it’s the daily efforts made in teaching, learning, research and innovation that is the key to being a successful institution.”

The WUR assesses performance across ten areas. The University improved its position in five of these – employment outcomes, International Research Network, international students, Academic Reputation, and citations per faculty.

Across the Tasman, within the ‘Group of Eight’ universities, the University of Sydney fell seven places and moved out of the top 20, and the  University of Melbourne fell six places. 

Further impact

Another major ranking result, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, was also announced this week. These assess universities' contributions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

For 2026, the University has been ranked 28th out of 2,318 institutions worldwide, placing in the top 1.2%. This follows last year’s position in the top 0.7% – an impressive performance in a rapidly growing and highly competitive field.

The Impact Rankings demonstrate a university's commitment to societal impact and sustainable development, highlighting its role in addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The University showed a significant improvement in SDG7 (affordable and clean energy), leaping from 75th last year to 11th this year, and in the top 1 percent globally.

Overall, Auckland is also in the top 5 percent in the world for nine of the 17 SDGs.

In January, the University was appointed chair of hub for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), to lead national and global initiatives to support inclusive economic development and fair work.

Earlier this month, the University was recognised among the top global institutions for producing digitally skilled graduates, placing 76th in the 2025 Top 200 Global Leaders in Digital Talent Development. These rankings are produced by Emerging Group, which specialises in employability rankings. The list highlights universities making a significant contribution to the digital economy by training professionals who lead innovation and drive digital transformation.