QS Stars university rating system

QS Stars is a globally recognised university rating system that independently assesses institutional performance against established standards, helping institutions and business schools identify opportunities for improvement and demonstrate their strengths to students, partners and stakeholders worldwide.
800
+
universities have undertaken a QS Stars assessment
80
+
countries have a QS Stars rated institution
30
+
years of experience in higher education analytics

How QS Stars can support your institutional goals

Drive strategic improvement
Gain independent insight into institutional strengths and opportunities for improvement.
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Strengthen your reputation
Build credibility and communicate what makes you distinctive by demonstrating your institutional strengths.
Grow enrolments and visibility
Attract students by evidencing indicators that matter most to them and engage parents and alumni.
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Support global engagement
Demonstrate your quality and excellence to attract partners, faculties and academics, employers, government accreditors, agencies.
QS Stars complements university rankings
Already ranked? QS Stars provides deeper insights into strengths that aren't fully reflected by your ranking position.

Not ranked, or building towards your entry? QS Stars can provide institutions with an independently assessed rating within approximately six months, helping you demonstrate strengths and build recognition while developing your longer-term rankings participation and performance.
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How QS Stars works

The assessment process typically takes 4-6 months, with support from a dedicated QS Analyst.
1. Assess
Institutional data and supporting evidence is gathered in collaboration between QS and your institution
2. Review
Data is reviewed and feedback is provided before your final assessment
3. Showcase
Receive your QS Stars report, ratings and badges and use the results to demonstrate strengths and identify opportunities for improvement

Case studies

What can QS Stars do for you?
Download the QS Stars brochure to explore how the assessment works, what your institution can gain and the different options available to support your priorities.
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QS Stars FAQs

What is QS Stars?

QS Stars is a university rating system that independently assesses institutional performance against established standards. It helps institutions understand their strengths, identify opportunities for improvement and demonstrate independently assessed performance.

What is the difference between a university rating and ranking?

University rankings compare institutions with one another and indicate relative performance. A university rating assesses an institution against defined standards. QS Stars therefore complements rankings by providing deeper insight into particular areas of institutional strength.

Can unranked universities participate in QS Stars?

Yes. QS Stars is available to ranked and unranked institutions. For institutions not yet represented in global rankings, QS Stars provides an opportunity to gain independent assessment and recognition within approximately six months, while developing a longer-term rankings strategy.

Building a ranking position can take time as institutions establish eligibility, submit data and develop performance across ranking indicators. QS Stars can therefore provide a complementary route to recognition during that journey.

What does QS Stars assess?

QS Stars assesses performance across areas including learning experience, employability and outcomes, sustainability, research and innovation, and global engagement, with flexibility depending on the assessment.

How long does a QS Stars assessment take?

Most institutions complete the assessment and classification process within approximately four to six months, supported by a dedicated QS specialist.

Which QS Stars assessment is right for my institution?

QS Stars offers different assessment options depending on institutional type and priorities, including comprehensive institutional ratings, a tailored Business Schools framework and specialist assessment options.

Download the brochure or speak to a QS Stars expert to explore the most appropriate option.