This week the independent university publication Times Higher Education released its well publicised Top 200 University rankings.

Each year the publication ranks world universities based on an overall evaluation that is determined by a series of sub scores in categories such as Peer reviews, employment reviews, staff and student happiness and international appeal.

Year by year the rankings change very little, with the top United States universities taking 13 of the top 20 spots; Harvard University was awarded the number one position, with the University of Cambridge and Yale University following closely behind.

The Australian National University was the highest ranked Australian university, and was awarded the number 17 position with a score of 90.5.

In total, 9 Australian universities made it into the top 200 rankings, and are as follows:

1. The Australian National University (17)
2. The University of Sydney (36)
3. The University of Melbourne (36)
4. The University of Queensland (41)
5. Monash University (45)
6. The University of New South Wales (47)
7. The University of Adelaide (81)
8. The University of Western Australia (84)
9. Macquarie University (189)

The Times Higher Education top 200 is only one of many university ranking initiatives issued by numerous organisations, however their grade standard is considered to be extremely high; THE rankings are highly prized positions. 

The top 10 positions for 2009 are:

1. Harvard University (USA)
2. University of Cambridge (UK)
3. Yale University (USA)
4. University College London (UK)
5=. Imperial College London (UK)
5=. University of Oxford (UK)
7. University of Chicago (USA)
8. Princeton University (USA)
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
10. California Institute of Technology (USA)

A full list of rankings can be found on the Times Higher Education website located at:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Rankings2009-Top200.html

Campus Daily