The University of Melbourne has secured 37th place globally and stands as the only Australian university in the top 50 of the prestigious 2026 Times Higher Education World University rankings.
The achievement separates the University from its nearest Australian competitor by 16 places, cementing its position as the nation's representative among the world's best universities.
Key to this year's improvement of two places within the Top 50 has been an increase in international recognition of the University's teaching excellence, as assessed by respected scholars from leading institutions worldwide.
The Times Higher Education rankings, which evaluated over 2,000 research-intensive universities, consider performance across core pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement.
The University of Melbourne achieved near perfect scores in five specific metrics, including Research Excellence and Research Influence, and demonstrated notable progress in Teaching Reputation, improving by 6.5 points, reflecting the institution's commitment to nurturing talent and advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston AO said the University's rise demonstrates the scale, breadth, and global reach that uniquely characterises the University of Melbourne.
"As Australia's leading university, anchored in one of the world's most dynamic regions, we offer unparalleled diversity of expertise and experience," Professor Johnston said.
"Our nine faculties operate as world-class academic communities, excelling in their own fields, while collaborating across disciplines to tackle the most complex global challenges of our time."
"From medicine and law to fine arts, design and engineering, our academics are solving real-world challenges such as transforming cancer detection, advancing rare genetic disease diagnosis, preserving cultural heritage, and addressing climate change."
The University operates alongside many of its key partners within the Asia and Pacific region, including Tsinghua University (12), Peking University (13), National University of Singapore (17), the University of Tokyo (26), and the University of Hong Kong (33).
With more than 13,000 staff, 77,000 students from 150 countries, and a network of 300 formal global partnerships, the University of Melbourne is connected to a wide ecosystem of thought leadership and industry innovation. This international scope ensures that students and researchers gain invaluable perspectives and contribute to solutions with real impact both locally and globally.
"Our responsibility as Australia's leading global public university is to nurture the next generation of thinkers, researchers and leaders needed for a more resilient and sustainable future," Professor Johnston said.
