UQ named Australia’s best in AFR ranking

The University of Queensland has topped the Australian Financial Review's (AFR) Best Universities Ranking for the second consecutive year.

The ranking measures Australian universities across four pillars - teaching, research, equity and career impact.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the result reaffirmed UQ as one of Australia’s most comprehensive universities, with tangible impact across education, research and communities.

“We are proud to have Australia’s most awarded university teachers deliver our high-quality programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills to transition into their chosen industry,” Professor Terry said.

“Through education, we can transform the lives of individuals and enrich communities, and this purpose drives our mission to improve equity and access to higher education through our Queensland Commitment initiatives.”

“This includes strengthening partnerships with schools and Regional Study Hubs, boosting scholarships to support underrepresented students, and designing tailored pathway programs to raise aspirations.”

“In 2025, we are launching two additional new equity schemes, which alongside our existing InspireU and Young Achievers Program, will provide more opportunity for students across our state as they embark on their university journey,” Professor Terry said.

The ranking also recognised the breadth of UQ’s research, which is helping to address some of the world’s most complex issues, from innovation in food sustainability to breakthroughs in health and medicine.

“UQ’s strong partnerships with industry and government enable our researchers to translate their discoveries and create tangible solutions for our communities,” Professor Terry said.

The AFR methodology uses publicly available data and ratings from the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

Professor Terry said the ranking provides a holistic look at how Australian universities are performing, comparing elements such as quality of teaching, equity and graduate outcomes in a way not possible in global rankings.