Curtin University continues to move up in university rankings

Miri – 8 December 2015 – Curtin University has been ranked 23rd in the QS World University Rankings Top 50 under 50, a global review of young institutions under 50 years – a rise of 17 places since 2014.

Now in its seventh year, the QS listing ranks universities established since 1966 according to their position in the QS World University Rankings (QSWUR) 2015/16.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the rise in the QS Top 50 under 50 rankings was largely attributed to the university’s enhanced research, engagement and education performance and reinforces its strong reputation nationally and internationally.

“Curtin is currently ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015 and has received a five star overall excellence rating in the QS Stars University Ratings 2015,” Professor Terry said.

She added that in September this year, Curtin University also significantly increased its position in the highly regarded Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), placing in the 201-300 band and at number 11 in Australia.

Professor Terry said Curtin University was a very popular destination for students and had strong connections with industry, as well as high-impact and innovative courses. It has the fourth largest international student population of any Australian university with over 15,000 students from more than 100 different countries.

Curtin University’s national and international reputation for research excellence was also recently acknowledged in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2015 results.

A total of 26 discipline areas at Curtin University were ranked at four or five – above or well above world standard respectively.

The university was unsurpassed, with the highest ranking of five, in the fields of astronomical and space science; physical chemistry, geochemistry, geology, crop and pasture production; electrical and electronic engineering, medical microbiology; nursing and nutrition and diatetics. The results align with areas of key investment by the university.

Professor Terry said Curtin University is continuing to consolidate its position as an internationally recognised, research-intensive university that matches academic excellence to real world impact.

“The performance of Australia’s universities under the ERA 2015 shows a depth and spread of excellence across the sector that displays Australia’s capability to strongly participate in the international research arena and address global challenges. For Curtin specifically, the ERA results cap off an outstanding year in research for the university,” she said.

Over 85 percent of assessed discipline areas were at or above world standard research. This is an increase in the overall proportion of research excellence at Curtin University from 71 percent under the ERA 2012 round.

Curtin University’s role as a lead organisation in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), through the building and operation of the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope and meteor research, is demonstrated by the rapid rise in excellence in astronomical and space science.

Physical chemistry underpins a range of activities from development of biomaterials through mineral processing to fuel cell development – addressing the needs of industry.

The university continues to be a leader in the ‘solid earth’ disciplines of geology, geochemistry and geophysics, with staff capacity matched by cutting-edge and comprehensive infrastructure, and extensive national and international collaborations.

Engineering continues to grow in strength across a range of disciplines with an outstanding result in electrical and electronic engineering coupled to above world standard research in chemical engineering, civil and mechanical engineering.

Professor Jim Mienczakowski, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), Curtin’s largest offshore campus located in Miri, commented that these latest achievements by Curtin University reflect well on its offshore campuses, given that they offer the same courses, qualifications and learning experience as the main campus. He said Curtin Sarawak prides itself on being a part of a university recognised globally for its excellence in education and research.

Curtin University is currently ranked 284th globally in the QSWUR and equal 10th in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking (THEWUR) 100 Most International Universities in the World ranking. In the QSWUR by Subject, it is ranked in the top 200 worldwide

Curtin moves up in Top 50 under 50 rankings, research excellence recognised in ERA rankings.