Four Sydney universities appear in the global top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027. The University of Sydney sits at 51, UNSW Sydney at 75, University of Technology Sydney at 152, and Macquarie University at 161.
What the national snapshot shows
Study Australia, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s official platform for international students, reported on 8 October 2026 that 37 Australian universities were ranked — representing 88 per cent of the sector. Six Australian institutions landed in the world’s top 100, and ten placed in the top 200. Seven universities improved their position from the previous year, and two — Macquarie University and RMIT University — recorded their best-ever results in the 2027 edition.
Sydney’s four in the top 200
| University | Global rank (THE 2027) |
|---|---|
| University of Sydney | 51 |
| UNSW Sydney | 75 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 152 |
| Macquarie University | 161 |
All four are included in the ten Australian universities that made the top 200. The University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney both sit inside the top 100, alongside the University of Melbourne (34), Monash University (61), the University of Queensland (73) and the Australian National University (77). The remaining top-200 Australian universities are Adelaide University (141), the University of Technology Sydney (152), Macquarie University (161) and the University of Western Australia (173).
Notable movements
Macquarie University’s climb to 161 marks its highest-ever position in the THE rankings. RMIT University also achieved a personal best, though its exact rank falls outside the top 200; the full listing is available on the Times Higher Education website.
What the rankings mean for prospective students
Study Australia notes that rankings can be a helpful starting point when comparing universities. The strong Australian showing signals a wide choice of globally recognised institutions. Students should also weigh course content, location, entry requirements, learning experience and support services against their own goals. The best choice remains the university and course that match individual ambitions.