Deakin moves up world academic rankings

Deakin University's new ranking among the top 400 universities in the world reflects an ongoing commitment to growing world leading research, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said today.

The highly regarded Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) presents the world Top 500 universities annually. This year, Deakin moved up to the 301-400 band, having entered the ARWU for the first time last year in the 401-500 band.

Professor Jane den Hollander said Deakin was now one of four Victorian universities and 19 Australian universities to be placed in the top 400 in 2015.

"Rankings are one indicator of progress, and alongside our continuing teaching excellence, this is an achievement the entire University community can be very proud of," Professor den Hollander said.

"Deakin has reached the top 150 in the subject of computer science, a critical field for Australia as we look to grow the strength of our innovation in the digital economy.

"For a young university like Deakin, which researches across a full range of disciplines and has a strong focus on teaching excellence, this is particularly welcome news. 

"Deakin has grown from Victoria's first regional university in 1974 to a thriving institution with more than 51,000 students from around the world.

"I would like to thank our staff, our researchers and teachers, our students and partners for their contribution and I look forward to the journey ahead."

The ARWU, formerly known as the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking, is based on independently sourced data and focuses on significant indicators of research excellence. Deakin University is in the top three per cent of the world's universities in each of the three major international rankings including the ARWU, Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.