By Dr. Vlad Krotov

In today’s increasingly competitive global educational landscape, universities from all over the world invest substantial resources in improving their positions in international ranking systems, such as QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings. Achieving a high rank in such systems reflects a university’s excellence in such key areas like academic reputation, research impact, and graduate employability. In addition to serving as a formal recognition of the university’s quality and reputation, these rankings influence the perceptions of prospective students, faculty, employers, and other stakeholders. Thus, a high rank within a widely recognized ranking system  helps a university to attract top student and faculty talent, secure funding, and establish global partnerships. 

International accreditations for business schools, such as the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), play a pivotal role in enhancing a university’s standing in these rankings. Specifically, AACSB accreditation ensures adherence to rigorous global standards in education, faculty quality, and research output, directly contributing to metrics evaluated in QS rankings. 

QS World University Rankings Methodology

To qualify for inclusion in QS World University Rankings Methodology, a university must:

1. 1. Offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
   2. Engage in academic work across at least two of five broad faculty areas:
      • Arts and Humanities
      • Engineering and Technology
      • Social Sciences and Management
      • Natural Sciences
      • Life Sciences and Medicine

The QS World University Rankings evaluates qualified universities based on six key performance indicators provided below. These criteria assess various aspects of research, teaching, employability, and internationalization, ensuring a holistic view of an institution’s performance.

1. 1. Academic Reputation (40%): Derived from a global academic survey, where scholars identify top institutions in their fields. Reflects the perception of academic excellence.
   2. Employer Reputation (10%): Based on feedback from graduate employers worldwide, highlighting institutions that produce exceptional graduates. Represents employability and industry impact.
   3. Student-to-Faculty Ratio (20%): Indicates the quality of teaching and the level of student support, with lower ratios suggesting more personalized education.
   4. Research Citations per Faculty Member (20%): Measures the influence and quality of an institution’s research output, normalized across subject areas. Highlights the institution’s research impact.
   5. Proportion of International Faculty (5%): Assesses the institution’s ability to attract faculty from around the globe, reflecting global engagement.
   6. Proportion of International Students (5%): Measures the diversity of the student body, showcasing the institution’s appeal to students from various countries.

These metrics collectively offer insights into a university’s strengths, enabling prospective students and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

How AACSB Accreditation can Enhance QS World University Rankings

AACSB accreditation can help a university improve its QS World University Rankings in the following ways:

1. 1. Enhanced Academic Reputation: QS rankings give significant weight to academic reputation of a university. AACSB accreditation is a prestigious and highly selective international recognition that serves as a seal of excellence in business education. Institutions with AACSB accreditation are seen as providing higher-quality education – something that can positively impact the university’s academic reputation in the eyes of peers and employers.
   2. Quality of Faculty and Research: AACSB accreditation places strong emphasis on faculty qualifications and their research output. Pursuing AACSB accreditation usually leads to improvement in faculty credentials as well as the quality and impact of their research. Research quality and impact are some of the key metrics in QS rankings. With AACSB, a university is likely to attract better-qualified faculty with a more visible and impactful portfolio of intellectual contributions, boosting its international academic profile and research impact.
   3. Student Employability: QS rankings system considers the employability of graduates as a major factor. AACSB-accredited institutions often have stronger connections and better reputation with industry and provide curricula that are more aligned with market needs. As a result, graduates from AACSB-accredited programs tend to have higher employment rates and better career outcomes, improving the university’s standing in QS employability metrics.
   4. Internationalization and Global Recognition: AACSB is a globally recognized accreditation body for business schools. Being accredited by AACSB can help an institution gain international recognition and attract international students and faculty. International diversity is a key factor in QS rankings. Thus, enhanced global visibility obtained via the “AACSB accredited”, can give a university a big boost in this area of QS rankings.
   5. Focus on Continuous Improvement: AACSB-accredited institutions are required to undergo continuous assessment and improvement processes. This focus on institutional growth, innovation, and maintaining high standards ensures that the university is constantly evolving to meet global educational trends, which positively influences multiple QS ranking factors like research impact, faculty quality, and employer reputation.
   6. Attracting High-Quality Partnerships: Universities with AACSB accreditation often have better opportunities to form partnerships with leading global institutions. Obtaining AACSB accreditation opens many partnership opportunities with some of the world’s finest business schools, allowing the institution to enhance collaboration in research, student exchanges, and faculty development. This can improve the university’s international profile and increase its overall ranking in QS.

Synergy between AACSB and QS World University Rankings

It is clear that that there is a strong synergy between AACSB accreditation and the QS World University Rankings. While QS rankings offer guidance and a comprehensive evaluation of a university’s performance across key metrics such as academic reputation, research impact, and employability, AACSB accreditation strengthens these areas by ensuring excellence in business education, faculty quality, and numerous institutional practices. Together, AACSB and QS World University Rankings provide a powerful framework for universities to enhance their global standing, attract top talent, and establish impactful partnerships. As the global educational landscape continues to evolve and becomes more and more competitive, leveraging such recognitions becomes essential for institutions aiming to remain competitive and deliver exceptional value to students, faculty, and stakeholders worldwide.