World University Rankings

Western Sydney University Rankings

As a world-class university, Western is globally recognised for our research strengths and innovations in teaching. That's why international students from over 70 countries choose to study at Western Sydney University every year.

Overall Rankings

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 20221

  • Top 2% in the world
  • Top 250 universities globally
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 20231
  • 1st in the world overall
  • 1st in the world for SDG 5 Gender Equality
  • 1st in the world for SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  • 1st in the world for SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals
  • 2nd in the world for SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  • 2nd in the world for SDG 15 Life on Land
  • 3rd in the world for SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
  • 4th in the world for SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing
  • 5th in the world for SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 7th in the world for SDG 13 Climate Action

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20221

  • Number 5 in Australia among universities under 50 years old
  • Number 31 in the world among universities under 50 years old

QS World University Rankings 20242

  • Ranked 375th in the world

Top 350 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 20213

US News Best Global Universities 2021
4

  • Top 20 in Australia
  • Top 250 globally

Subject Rankings

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 20231

  • Number 2 in Australia for Ecology
  • Top 10 universities in Australia:
    • Agricultural Sciences
    • Atmospheric Science
    • Automation & Control
    • Civil Engineering
    • Clinical Medicine
    • Geography
  • Top 50 in the World: Nursing; Ecology
  • Top 75 in the World: Automation & Control
  • Top 100 in the World: Civil Engineering; Geography
  • Top 200 in the World: Agricultural Sciences; Atmospheric Science; Education
  • Top 300 in the World: Clinical Medicine; Communication; Mechanical Engineering; and Psychology

QS World University Rankings by Subject 20232

  • Top 50: Nursing
  • Top 150: Linguistics; Sports-related Subjects
  • Top 200: Agriculture & Forestry; Architecture & Built Environment; Communication & Media Studies; Geography; Psychology; Sociology

Times Higher Education World Subject Rankings 20243

  • Top 175: Education
  • Top 250: Arts and Humanities; Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health; Life Sciences; and Social Sciences
  • Top 300: Law; Psychology

Excellence in Teaching and Research

QS World University Rankings – Star Audit 20221

Overall Score: 5 Stars

5 star ranking in these categories:

  • Teaching
  • Employability
  • Internationalisation
  • Facilities
  • Research
  • Specialist Criteria: Nursing
  • Environmental Impact

2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) National Report

  • 85% of the University's research has been ranked at 'world standard or above'

For more information about our achievements in research, visit Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) or see our Research Concentrations.


Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers List

Recognises researchers from around the world who demonstrate significant influence in their chosen field or fields. This is based on the publication of multiple, highly-cited papers during the last decade. Western Sydney University academics have been named amongst the most-highly cited researchers in the world in the latest Clarivate Highly Cited (HiCis) Researchers list for 20231.

The University’s highly-cited researchers for 2023 are:

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

  • Distinguished Professor Belinda Medlyn (Plant and Animal Science) 
  • Professor Brajesh Singh (Environment and Ecology)
  • Associate Professor Brendan Choat (Plant and Animal Science)
  • Professor Ian Wright (Plant and Animal Science)
  • Dr Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo (affiliate)
  • Professor Peter Reich (affiliate)  

School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences

  • Distinguished Professor Wei-Xing Zheng (Engineering)

School of Science 

  • Professor Zhong-Hau Chen (Plant and Animal Science) 

School of Psychology 

  • Professor Alex Morin (affiliate) 

Institute for Culture and Society

  • Professor Jamie Peck (affiliate)
NICM Health Research Institute
  • Dr Joe Firth (affiliate)