The Australian National University has climbed three places in the QS World University Rankings, rising to 29th in the world for 2027.

The result keeps ANU as Australia’s fourth-ranked university, behind the University of NSW, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney.

ANU received an overall QS score of 87.6 out of 100 and improved in six of the ranking’s nine weighted indicators.

Its strongest gains were in sustainability and faculty-student ratio, where it rose 19 places in each category. It also climbed seven places for employer reputation and five places for employment outcomes.

Interim vice-chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said the result reflected the work of the ANU community.

“ANU is proud to have been ranked in the top two per cent globally and fourth nationally in the QS World University Rankings for 2027,” she said.

“We stand among the top two per cent of the world’s leading universities, reflecting the excellence of our research, teaching and public policy contribution.”

The Canberra university’s rise comes in a year when UNSW overtook the University of Melbourne to become Australia’s top performer in the QS rankings.

UNSW was ranked 19th in the world, while Melbourne slipped to 22nd. Sydney was ranked 28th, after falling three places from the previous year.

It is the first time a NSW university has claimed Australia’s top spot in the QS rankings. ANU held that position for almost two decades before Melbourne took over in 2023.

UNSW scored highest in Australia for employment outcomes and sustainability, and placed third nationally for employer reputation and international research partnerships.

UNSW vice-president for societal impact, equity and engagement Professor Verity Firth told AAP the result reflected the university’s focus on research and work-integrated learning.

“We do a lot of industry engagement and employer partnerships with students, so by the time they finish their degrees they’re very ready to work and that’s been shown in this ranking,” she said.

Five other Australian universities made the global top 100.

Monash University climbed five places to 31st, the University of Queensland was ranked 40th, the University of Western Australia 77th, Adelaide University 79th and the University of Technology Sydney 87th.

Of the 37 Australian universities included in this year’s rankings, 21 improved on their previous position.

QS chief executive Jessica Turner said Australia’s reputation among academics and employers was strengthening, but warned that higher visa costs and a rise in application refusals could affect future performance.

“At a time when international education is more competitive than ever, maintaining this momentum will … depend on ensuring Australia remains an accessible and welcoming destination for international students and researchers,” she said.

The QS World University Rankings assess institutions using factors including student experience, university partnerships, research activity and faculty qualifications. More than 8800 institutions were evaluated for the 2027 edition.

-with AAP