MIT continues to top the QS World University Rankings 2024, with the University of Porto emerging as the highest-ranked Portuguese institution.

In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings (QSUR) 2024, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) maintains its position at the top for the 12th consecutive year. The University of Porto, representing Portugal, has significantly improved its standing by climbing 21 places to secure the 253rd position among 2,963 evaluated institutions based on nine indicators.

The top spots in the rankings are dominated by American and British universities, with Cambridge and Oxford following closely behind MIT. Harvard, Stanford, Imperial College London, and ETH Zurich also feature in the top 10, along with the University of California, Berkeley, the National University of Singapore, and UCL in the United Kingdom.

In Portugal, after the University of Porto, other leading institutions include the universities of Aveiro (344th), Coimbra (351st), Nova Lisbon (400th), Minho (611-620th), ISCTE (751-760th), and the Portuguese Catholic University (901-950th). Notably, the University of São Paulo secures the highest position among Portuguese-speaking countries, ranking 85th overall and standing as the top institution in Latin America.

The QSUR 2024 incorporates new evaluation criteria, including sustainability and international research collaboration. Universities are now assessed for their efforts to reduce environmental impact, their network of international research partnerships, and their reputation among employers. This year's rankings witnessed the most significant methodological changes since the inception of the QSUR in 2004. As rankings gain increasing prominence, universities are adapting and striving to meet the evaluated metrics. Africa saw significant improvements for 75% of its universities, while the Middle East region showcased increased competitiveness. Additionally, Australia achieved the milestone of having three universities ranked within the top 20 for the first time.