By Elaine Smith
The 2023 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings reinforce York University’s role as a leading North American public university with a global reach to right the future.
York University moved up two spots to be ranked 61st among North American public universities by the prestigious QS World University Rankings. York’s improving position in the rankings signals its position as a leading international research and teaching university that is driving positive change to right the future.
The QS Rankings evaluate universities in all of the disciplines. “I am delighted to learn about York’s continuing upward movement in major rankings,” says Rhonda Lenton, York University president and vice-chancellor. “This performance, in the face of increasing global competition, is the result of our collective efforts to enhance our research activities, strengthen the undergraduate student experience, internationalization, and our societal impact.”
Many of the major world university rankings measure research, teaching and international outlook. A select few also measure employability and societal impact. In addition to data submitted by universities, rankings also obtain data from other sources, such as reputational surveys.
However, a robust commitment to research plays a major role in how universities perform in all major world university rankings and York University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities.
“Research excellence should conscientiously improve student learning outcomes, create societal impact, foster interdisciplinarity, and inspire a collaborative ethos,” says Professor Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation. “The teaching, research, and stewardship missions of the university are intertwined.”
The 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject have not been released yet, but York had a strong performance in QS WUR by Subject in 2022. In the five broad QS subject areas, the University was ranked among the top 50 in two and in the top 100 in another two areas among North American public universities. The 2022 QS World University Rankings also ranked York University 63rd among North American public universities.
University leaders anticipate that the rankings will continue to reflect its growth and diversity. The number of universities ranked this year grew from 1,300 to almost 1,500. Among Canadian universities ranking in the top 500 among global universities, York University was one of two Canadian universities to improve its rank.
“York is launching its new Markham Campus in 2024 and has aspirations to build on the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct with a new School of Medicine and integrated health programming,” says Professor Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic. “York’s ranking performance resonates well with its plans for increasing our impact in the coming decade.”