An important factor in the university selection process; we suggest that, in addition to rankings, you review teaching, attention, employment outcomes, student support, overall experience and location.

There is some conflict of opinion with regards to rankings since most of the information is supplied by the universities themselves. However, rankings are an excellent guideline. We suggest you cross-reference and look at overall, country, regional, and area-specific rankings. Also look at accreditations and awards. Here are some useful links:

• QS World University Rankings 2012
• QS World Universities by Faculty 2012
• QS Best Student Cities in the World 2012
• Times Higher Education Top Universities
• The Guardian University Guide League Tables 2012
• US News and World Report National University Rankings
• Times Good University Guide
• The Princeton Review Best Colleges Rankings

According to The Times Higher Education World Reputation Ranking 2012/2013, the top 10 universities are in the US (7) and the UK (3). In Europe top places go to the UK with Oxford and Cambridge numbers 2 and 7. In Australia, Australian National University and the University of Melbourne crown the list. In New Zealand, the University of Auckland and the University of Otago are among the best positioned.

If you look at QS World University Rankings for 2012/2013, you will again find the US and the UK sharing the top 10 places. The Australian National University occupies position 24 worldwide and the University of Auckland position 83.

In both rankings, ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich in Switzerland is the first non-English speaking university on the list (12 and 13 respectively).

In Asia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong vie for top places.