VU Reiterated a Record-High Position: University Makes It to the Top 400 World Universities

Vilnius University (VU) has maintained the highest rating that it received last year among Lithuanian higher education institutions, ranking 400th in the latest QS World University Rankings. VU’s position remained unchanged, even after the inclusion of 124 additional higher education institutions in the QS Rankings this year.

“Last year, Vilnius University reached a historical high in the global ranking of universities, placing in the Top 400 best universities. At that time, it was clear that maintaining this position would be a challenge. It is extremely gratifying that we have succeeded in doing so, but it is also clear that in order to maintain this position and strengthen our elite rating, we must make a great effort and should expect a focused policy, along with business support and understanding.”

“In terms of a scientific policy, the rankings are one of the indicators that reflect a country’s efforts to strengthen its higher education. The achievements of the university are important for both the image of the country and its competitiveness. Therefore, the university’s aspiration to become a world-class research and study centre should be, and must remain, a shared national goal,” said Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University.

Compared to the previous year, VU rose significantly in the new rankings according to its reputation among employers – from 434th to 348th position. This category reflects the evaluation by international employers of the best graduates produced by the institutions. The indicators for international academic staff also grew. In addition, VU occupies an exceptionally high position in terms of its quality of teaching – 137, which is related to the greater attention paid by teachers to each student.

In compiling the QS World University Rankings, higher education institutions are ranked according to a total of six criteria: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations per Faculty, Faculty/Student Ratio, International Faculty Ratio and International Student Ratio.

VU has been included the global QS Rankings among almost one and a half thousand higher education institutions for almost a decade now, and has risen by a total of more than 200 positions during that time. When it was first evaluated in 2014, VU ranked 601-650; and it is currently in 400th place. VU represents Lithuania in shaping higher scientific standards, which are making an increasingly important contribution to attracting international researchers and becoming a serious competitor among the most prestigious European universities.